Reps. Hoogendyk, Walker, Brandenburg, Palsrok, Vander Veen, Newell, Acciavatti, Amos, Bradstreet, Casperson, DeRossett, Ehardt, Emmons, Farhat, Garfield, Howell, Huizenga, Hummel, Julian, Kooiman, LaJoy, Meyer, Mortimer, Nofs, O'Neil, Richardville, Rocca, Shaffer, Sheen, Shulman, Spade, Stahl, Stakoe, Voorhees and Wojno offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 107.

            A resolution to memorialize the United States Department of Commerce to encourage the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to prohibit the registration of obscene domain names.

            Whereas, From 1983 to 1998, the federal government managed the Internet, including the Domain Name System (DNS), a central coordinating body that assigns unique e-mail and Web site addresses so that the network runs smoothly. As the Internet evolved from a small-scale system of links among American academic institutions into a mainstream international communications, educational, and electronic commerce medium, the federal government concluded that it should no longer manage its development. In 1998, the United States Department of Commerce (DOC), in an effort to establish global standards and consensus-based policies, agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California-based private sector, nonprofit corporation called the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). In part, the MOU calls for the joint development of the DNS in order to facilitate its future transfer to the private sector; and

            Whereas, While the DOC continues to serve as the steward of the DNS during its transition to private sector management, it does not regulate ICANN, play a vital role in ICANN’s internal governance or day-to-day operations, or intervene in ICANN activities unless the corporation’s actions are inconsistent with the MOU. The only way that the department can influence ICANN decisions is either to not renew the MOU, which expires September 30, 2003, or through informal discussions with corporation officials; and

            Whereas, ICANN permits the registration of obscene domain names, ranging from the Federal Trade Commission’s banned “seven dirty words” to more vulgar and imaginative but related words. Consequently, obscene domain names, whose degrading and corrupting content influences our children, are widespread throughout the Internet. Obscenity is not entitled to protection under the First Amendment under Miller v. California; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Department of Commerce to encourage the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to prohibit the registration of obscene domain names; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Department of Commerce, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.