The Remarks Of Speaker Sheldon Silver

Attorney General Cuomo Press Conference
Unveiling The Electronic Security And Targeting Of
Online Predators Act (E-Stop)

State Capitol, Office Of The Attorney General
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 [1 P.M.]

{As Prepared For Delivery}

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (center) and members of the Majority Conference joined Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in their support for a bill that would help protect children by reducing access to the Internet by the most dangerous sex offenders. Under the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act (e-STOP), the state Division of Criminal Justice Services would be authorized to provide the email addresses and instant messaging screen names of registered sex offenders to social networking Web sites such as MySpace and Facebook. Silver said that while social networking sites have helped bring people together, they have also enabled predators to utilize Internet’s anonymity. Audio Excerpt A (18 seconds) Audio Excerpt B (18 seconds) Audio Excerpt C (21 seconds) View Transcript

Senator Bruno. Members of the Legislature. Distinguished Guests. Members of the Media.

Speaking not as a legislator, but rather, as a father and a grandfather, I applaud our Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, for his leadership both in investigating on-line predation and for working with the Legislature to craft common-sense legislation that will make surfing the Internet safer for New Yorkers, especially our children.

A number of Assembly leaders have been working on this issue, some of whom are with us right now: Assembly Members RoAnn Destito, Tim Gordon, Ellen Jaffee, Rory Lancman, Charles Lavine, Al Stirpe and Ellen Young.

I particularly want to note the efforts and the wisdom of my colleague, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, who is the Chairman of our Committee on Codes.

Because this is an issue that transcends politics, let me say how pleased we are to have worked with our colleagues in the Senate in shaping this important legislation, the toughest and most comprehensive of its kind in the nation.

It seems to be a universal law that every innovation produces both blessings and burdens. So it is with the Internet.

Back when I was a young parent, protecting your children meant locking your doors and windows, knowing where they were and who they were with, and giving them the daily reminder not to talk to strangers.

Now, the information superhighway - through vehicles such as My Space, Facebook, and Instant Messaging - exposes us and our families to a world of cultures and characters within the privacy of our homes and wherever one can access a computer.

Bringing people together and the free exchange of ideas are, more often than not, a good thing.

However, in the hands of a sexual predator, such social networking websites present a clear and present danger to innocent and unwitting New Yorkers.

Given the secrecy, the manipulation and the deception that often accompanies sex-offending behavior, the Internet - with its promise of anonymity - provides a perfect tool for convicted sex offenders who are on probation or parole to circumvent their supervision, undermine their treatment, and "re-emerge" as cyber-stalkers.

By imposing reasonable and appropriate Internet restrictions on all convicted sex offenders who are required to register under Megan's Law, we can prevent recidivism and make the Internet safer for everyone.

Still, if you've seen "To Catch A Predator" on Dateline NBC, if you've read accounts of the stings various law enforcement agencies have conducted, you know that sexual predators live in every state, come from every walk of life, and will target victims regardless of age or gender.

They lure. They brainwash. They drive wedges between parents and children.

So, it is incumbent upon all of us: parents, schools, libraries, Internet service providers and government to work together and to clear the Internet of the "highwaymen" who threaten public safety.

Once again, I commend Attorney General Cuomo for advancing this program bill.

Speaking for the Assembly Majority, we not only intend to pass it, we will continue to work with the Attorney General's Office to halt Internet predation whenever and wherever it appears.

Thank you.