FRN Newsletter

Promoting serious debate on the Federal Reserve System

SEND IT IN !!! Be a part of the discussion. . .

03.19.2006

Request for FED news.

FRN Newsletter has decided on parameters, for our new site

www.freewebs.com/frnnewsletter/

In regards to our "FED news" page.

If your newsroom has any information or stories, regarding the federal reserve system, we will post it to our site. we do encourage open and serious debate on the issue of debt-based currency, from all angles. We will publish stories dealing with the conspiracy aspects surrounding the FED, but we remind all potential submitters, that serious debate does rule the day, here at FRN Newsletter. The publisher does reserve the right to edit all submissions for clarity and fact checking. Please assist us in this matter, by making sure you supply us with your contact information.

We also invite the federal reserve system, to send any submissions they wish, on any related topic. We are happy to provide their comments and information on our site.

With that said, send us your submissions on the FED. We are ready and eager, to expand this vital debate and discussion.

FED FAQs. What the FED says about itself. . .

What is the Federal Reserve System?

The Federal Reserve System, often referred to as the Federal Reserve or simply "the Fed," is the central bank of the United States. It was created by Congress to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. Over the years, its role has evolved and expanded.

When was the Federal Reserve created?

The Federal Reserve was created on December 23, 1913, with the signing of the Federal Reserve Act by President Woodrow Wilson. The act had been drafted as House Resolution 7837 by Representative Carter Glass (D-VA), incoming chairman of the House Banking and Currency Committee.

What are the Federal Reserve's responsibilities?

Today, the Federal Reserve's responsibilities duties fall into four general areas:

  • conducting the nation's monetary policy by influencing money and credit conditions in the economy in pursuit of full employment and stable prices
  • supervising and regulating banking institutions to ensure the safety and soundness of the nation's banking and financial system and to protect the credit rights of consumers
  • maintaining the stability of the financial system and containing systemic risk that may arise in financial markets
  • providing certain financial services to the U.S. government, to the public, to financial institutions, and to foreign official institutions, including playing a major role in operating the nation's payments systems

For an overview of the Federal Reserve and its responsibilities, see The Federal Reserve System: Purposes and Functions.

Return to questions

How is the Federal Reserve System structured?

The Federal Reserve System has a structure designed by Congress to give it a broad perspective on the economy and on economic activity in all parts of the nation. It is a federal system, composed basically of a central, governmental agency--the Board of Governors--in Washington, D.C., and twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, located in major cities throughout the nation. These components share responsibility for supervising and regulating certain financial institutions and activities; for providing banking services to depository institutions and to the federal government; and for ensuring that consumers receive adequate information and fair treatment in their business with the banking system.

A major component of the System is the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which is made up of the members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and presidents of four other Federal Reserve Banks, who serve on a rotating basis. The FOMC oversees open market operations, which is the main tool used by the Federal Reserve to influence money market conditions and the growth of money and credit.

More information

Who owns the Federal Reserve?

The Federal Reserve System is not "owned" by anyone and is not a private, profit-making institution. Instead, it is an independent entity within the government, having both public purposes and private aspects.

As the nation's central bank, the Federal Reserve derives its authority from the U.S. Congress. It is considered an independent central bank because its decisions do not have to be ratified by the President or anyone else in the executive or legislative branch of government, it does not receive funding appropriated by Congress, and the terms of the members of the Board of Governors span multiple presidential and congressional terms. However, the Federal Reserve is subject to oversight by Congress, which periodically reviews its activities and can alter its responsibilities by statute. Also, the Federal Reserve must work within the framework of the overall objectives of economic and financial policy established by the government. Therefore, the Federal Reserve can be more accurately described as "independent within the government."

The twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, which were established by Congress as the operating arms of the nation's central banking system, are organized much like private corporations--possibly leading to some confusion about "ownership." For example, the Reserve Banks issue shares of stock to member banks. However, owning Reserve Bank stock is quite different from owning stock in a private company. The Reserve Banks are not operated for profit, and ownership of a certain amount of stock is, by law, a condition of membership in the System. The stock may not be sold, traded, or pledged as security for a loan; dividends are, by law, 6 percent per year.

Return to questions

How is the Federal Reserve funded?

The Federal Reserve's income is derived primarily from the interest on U.S. government securities that it has acquired through open market operations. Other sources of income are the interest on foreign currency investments held by the System; fees received for services provided to depository institutions, such as check clearing, funds transfers, and automated clearinghouse operations; and interest on loans to depository institutions (the rate on which is the so-called discount rate). After paying its expenses, the Federal Reserve turns the rest of its earnings over to the U.S. Treasury.

Why did Congress want the Federal Reserve to be relatively independent?

The intent of Congress in shaping the Federal Reserve Act was to keep politics out of monetary policy. The System is independent of other branches and agencies of government. It is self-financed and therefore is not subject to the congressional budgetary process.

Since the Federal Reserve has considerable discretion in carrying out its responsibilities, to whom is it accountable?

The Federal Reserve's ultimate accountability is to Congress, which at any time can amend the Federal Reserve Act. Legislation requires that the Fed report annually on its activities to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and twice annually on its plans for monetary policy to the banking committees of Congress. Fed officials also testify before Congress when requested.

To ensure financial accountability, the financial statements of the Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors are audited annually by an independent outside auditor. In addition, the General Accounting Office, as well as the Board's Office of Inspector General, can audit Federal Reserve activities.

Are the Federal Reserve System and Reserve Banks ever audited?

The Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve Banks, and the Federal Reserve System as a whole are all subject to several levels of audit and review. Under the Federal Banking Agency Audit Act (enacted in 1978 as Public Law 95-320), which authorizes the Comptroller General of the United States to audit the Federal Reserve System, the General Accounting Office (GAO) has conducted numerous reviews of Federal Reserve activities. In addition, the Board's Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits and investigates Board programs and operations as well as those Board functions delegated to the Reserve Banks. Completed and active GAO reviews and completed OIG audits, reviews, and assessments are listed in the Board’s Annual Report (before 2002, the reviews were listed in the Board's Annual Report: Budget Review).

The Board's financial statements, and its compliance with laws and regulations affecting those statements, are audited annually by an outside auditor retained by the OIG. The financial statements of the Reserve Banks are also audited annually by an independent outside auditor. In addition, the Reserve Banks are subject to annual examination by the Board. The Board's financial statements and the combined financial statements for the Reserve Banks are published in the Board's Annual Report.

FED faqs

PM

RW

P I P E

R

M A R B U R Y

RUDNICK

USA PATRIOT ACT (P.L. 107-56)

AMENDMENTS MADE BY

TITLE V

TO EXISTING LAW

DECEMBER 2001

Prepared by Kay Pauley, Legislative Specialist

Electronic Commerce & Privacy Practice Group

Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe LLP, Washington, D.C.

Showing How Title V of the USA PATRIOT Act

(P.L. 107-56) Amends Existing Law1

(Additions Underscored; Deletions Stricken)

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 12. BANKS AND BANKING

CHAPTER 35--RIGHT TO FINANCIAL PRIVACY

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 3414. Special procedures

(a)(1) Nothing in this chapter (except sections 3415, 3417, 3418, and 3421 of this

title) shall apply to the production and disclosure of financial records pursuant to requests

from--

(A) a Government authority authorized to conduct foreign counter- or foreign

positive-intelligence activities for purposes of conducting such activities; or

(B) the Secret Service for the purpose of conducting its protective functions

(18 U.S.C. 3056; 3 U.S.C. 202, Public Law 90-331, as amended).

(2) In the instances specified in paragraph (1), the Government authority shall submit

to the financial institution the certificate required in section 3403(b) of this title signed by a

supervisory official of a rank designated by the head of the Government authority.

(3) No financial institution, or officer, employee, or agent of such institution, shall

disclose to any person that a Government authority described in paragraph (1) has sought or

obtained access to a customer's financial records.

(4) The Government authority specified in paragraph (1) shall compile an annual

tabulation of the occasions in which this section was used.

(5)(A) Financial institutions, and officers, employees, and agents thereof, shall

comply with a request for a customer's or entity's financial records made pursuant to this

subsection by the Federal Bureau of Investigation when the Director of the Federal Bureau of

Investigation (or the Director's designee in a position not lower than Deputy Assistant

Director at Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in Charge in a Bureau field office

designated by the Director) certifies in writing to the financial institution that such records

are sought for foreign counter intelligence purposes and that there are specific and articulable

facts giving reason to believe that the customer or entity whose records are sought is a

foreign power or an agent of a foreign power as defined in section 1801 of Title 50 to protect

against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such an

investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of activities

protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

1

Sec. 501 amendments are not reflected (see Appendix).

505(b)

- 2 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(B) The Federal Bureau of Investigation may disseminate information

obtained pursuant to this paragraph only as provided in guidelines approved by the

Attorney General for foreign intelligence collection and foreign counterintelligence

investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and, with respect to

dissemination to an agency of the United States, only if such information is clearly

relevant to the authorized responsibilities of such agency.

(C) On a semiannual basis the Attorney General shall fully inform the

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the

Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate concerning all requests made pursuant

to this paragraph.

(D) No financial institution, or officer, employee, or agent of such institution,

shall disclose to any person that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has sought or

obtained access to a customer's or entity's financial records under this paragraph.

(b)(1) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a Government authority from obtaining

financial records from a financial institution if the Government authority determines that

delay in obtaining access to such records would create imminent danger of--

(A) physical injury to any person;

(B) serious property damage; or

(C) flight to avoid prosecution.

(2) In the instances specified in paragraph (1), the Government shall submit to the

financial institution the certificate required in section 3403(b) of this title signed by a

supervisory official of a rank designated by the head of the Government authority.

(3) Within five days of obtaining access to financial records under this subsection, the

Government authority shall file with the appropriate court a signed, sworn statement of a

supervisory official of a rank designated by the head of the Government authority setting

forth the grounds for the emergency access. The Government authority shall thereafter

comply with the notice provisions of section 3409(c) of this title.

(4) The Government authority specified in paragraph (1) shall compile an annual

tabulation of the occasions in which this section was used.

- 3 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 15. COMMERCE AND TRADE

CHAPTER 41--CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION

SUBCHAPTER III--CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 1681u. Disclosures to FBI for counterintelligence purposes

(a) Identity of financial institutions

Notwithstanding section 1681b of this title or any other provision of this subchapter, a

consumer reporting agency shall furnish to the Federal Bureau of Investigation the names

and addresses of all financial institutions (as that term is defined in section 3401 of Title 12)

at which a consumer maintains or has maintained an account, to the extent that information is

in the files of the agency, when presented with a written request for that information, signed

by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the Director's designee in a position

not lower than Deputy Assistant Director at Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in

Charge of a Bureau field office designated by the Director, which certifies compliance with

this section. The Director or the Director's designee may make such a certification only if the

Director or the Director's designee has determined in writing that--

(1) such information is necessary for the conduct of an authorized foreign

counterintelligence investigation; and

(2) there are specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe that the consumer--

(A) is a foreign power (as defined in section 1801 of Title 50) or a person who

is not a United States person (as defined in such section 1801 of title 50) and is an

official of a foreign power; or

(B) is an agent of a foreign power and is engaging or has engaged in an act of

international terrorism (as that term is defined in section 1801(c) of Title 50) or

clandestine intelligence activities that involve or may involve a violation of criminal

statutes of the United States. in writing, that such information is sought for the

conduct of an authorized investigation to protect against international terrorism or

clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such an investigation of a United

States person is not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first

amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

(b) Identifying information

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1681b of this title or any other provision of

this subchapter, a consumer reporting agency shall furnish identifying information respecting

a consumer, limited to name, address, former addresses, places of employment, or former

places of employment, to the Federal Bureau of Investigation when presented with a written

request, signed by the Director or the Director's designee in a position not lower than Deputy

Assistant Director at Bureau headquarters or a Special Agent in Charge of a Bureau field

office designated by the Director, which certifies compliance with this subsection. The

Director or the Director's designee may make such a certification only if the Director or the

Director's designee has determined in writing that--

All

§ 505(c)

- 4 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(1) such information is necessary to the conduct of an authorized counterintelligence

investigation; and

(2) there is information giving reason to believe that the consumer has been, or is

about to be, in contact with a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power (as defined in

section 1801 of Title 50). in writing that such information is sought for the conduct of an

authorized investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence

activities, provided that such an investigation of a United States person is not conducted

solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the

United States.

(c) Court order for disclosure of consumer reports

Notwithstanding section 1681b of this title or any other provision of this subchapter,

if requested in writing by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or a designee

of the Director in a position not lower than Deputy Assistant Director at Bureau headquarters

or a Special Agent in Charge in a Bureau field office designated by the Director, a court may

issue an order ex parte directing a consumer reporting agency to furnish a consumer report to

the Federal Bureau of Investigation, upon a showing in camera that--

(1) the consumer report is necessary for the conduct of an authorized foreign

counterintelligence investigation; and

(2) there are specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe that the consumer

whose consumer report is sought--

(A) is an agent of a foreign power, and

(B) is engaging or has engaged in an act of international terrorism (as that

term is defined in section 1801(c) of Title 50) or clandestine intelligence activities

that involve or may involve a violation of criminal statutes of the United States. in

camera that the consumer report is sought for the conduct of an authorized

investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence

activities, provided that such an investigation of a United States person is not

conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the

Constitution of the United States.

The terms of an order issued under this subsection shall not disclose that the order is issued

for purposes of a counterintelligence investigation.

(d) Confidentiality

No consumer reporting agency or officer, employee, or agent of a consumer reporting

agency shall disclose to any person, other than those officers, employees, or agents of a

consumer reporting agency necessary to fulfill the requirement to disclose information to the

Federal Bureau of Investigation under this section, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation

has sought or obtained the identity of financial institutions or a consumer report respecting

any consumer under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section, and no consumer reporting

agency or officer, employee, or agent of a consumer reporting agency shall include in any

consumer report any information that would indicate that the Federal Bureau of Investigation

has sought or obtained such information or a consumer report.

All

505(c)

- 5 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(e) Payment of fees

The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall, subject to the availability of

appropriations, pay to the consumer reporting agency assembling or providing report or

information in accordance with procedures established under this section a fee for

reimbursement for such costs as are reasonably necessary and which have been directly

incurred in searching, reproducing, or transporting books, papers, records, or other data

required or requested to be produced under this section.

(f) Limit on dissemination

The Federal Bureau of Investigation may not disseminate information obtained

pursuant to this section outside of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, except to other

Federal agencies as may be necessary for the approval or conduct of a foreign

counterintelligence investigation, or, where the information concerns a person subject to the

Uniform Code of Military Justice, to appropriate investigative authorities within the military

department concerned as may be necessary for the conduct of a joint foreign

counterintelligence investigation.

(g) Rules of construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit information from being

furnished by the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to a subpoena or court order, in

connection with a judicial or administrative proceeding to enforce the provisions of this

subchapter. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or permit the withholding

of information from the Congress.

(h) Reports to Congress

On a semiannual basis, the Attorney General shall fully inform the Permanent Select

Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of the

House of Representatives, and the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate concerning all requests made pursuant to

subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section.

(i) Damages

Any agency or department of the United States obtaining or disclosing any consumer

reports, records, or information contained therein in violation of this section is liable to the

consumer to whom such consumer reports, records, or information relate in an amount equal

to the sum of--

(1) $100, without regard to the volume of consumer reports, records, or information

involved;

(2) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the disclosure;

(3) if the violation is found to have been willful or intentional, such punitive damages

as a court may allow; and

(4) in the case of any successful action to enforce liability under this subsection, the

costs of the action, together with reasonable attorney fees, as determined by the court.

- 6 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(j) Disciplinary actions for violations

If a court determines that any agency or department of the United States has violated

any provision of this section and the court finds that the circumstances surrounding the

violation raise questions of whether or not an officer or employee of the agency or

department acted willfully or intentionally with respect to the violation, the agency or

department shall promptly initiate a proceeding to determine whether or not disciplinary

action is warranted against the officer or employee who was responsible for the violation.

(k) Good-faith exception

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any consumer reporting

agency or agent or employee thereof making disclosure of consumer reports or identifying

information pursuant to this subsection in good-faith reliance upon a certification of the

Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to provisions of this section shall not be liable to

any person for such disclosure under this subchapter, the constitution of any State, or any law

or regulation of any State or any political subdivision of any State.

(l) Limitation of remedies

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the remedies and sanctions

set forth in this section shall be the only judicial remedies and sanctions for violation of this

section.

(m) Injunctive relief

In addition to any other remedy contained in this section, injunctive relief shall be

available to require compliance with the procedures of this section. In the event of any

successful action under this subsection, costs together with reasonable attorney fees, as

determined by the court, may be recovered.

- 7 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 18. CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I--CRIMES

CHAPTER 47--FRAUD AND FALSE STATEMENTS

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 1030. Fraud and related activity in connection with computers2

(a) Whoever--

(1) having knowingly accessed a computer without authorization or exceeding

authorized access, and by means of such conduct having obtained information that has been

determined by the United States Government pursuant to an Executive order or statute to

require protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national defense or foreign

relations, or any restricted data, as defined in paragraph y of section 11 of the Atomic Energy

Act of 1954, with reason to believe that such information so obtained could be used to the

injury of the United States, or to the advantage of any foreign nation willfully communicates,

delivers, transmits, or causes to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted, or attempts to

communicate, deliver, transmit or cause to be communicated, delivered, or transmitted the

same to any person not entitled to receive it, or willfully retains the same and fails to deliver

it to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it;

(2) intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized

access, and thereby obtains--

(A) information contained in a financial record of a financial institution, or of

a card issuer as defined in section 1602(n) of title 15, or contained in a file of a

consumer reporting agency on a consumer, as such terms are defined in the Fair

Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.);

(B) information from any department or agency of the United States; or

(C) information from any protected computer if the conduct involved an

interstate or foreign communication;

(3) intentionally, without authorization to access any nonpublic computer of a

department or agency of the United States, accesses such a computer of that department or

agency that is exclusively for the use of the Government of the United States or, in the case

of a computer not exclusively for such use, is used by or for the Government of the United

States and such conduct affects that use by or for the Government of the United States;

(4) knowingly and with intent to defraud, accesses a protected computer without

authorization, or exceeds authorized access, and by means of such conduct furthers the

intended fraud and obtains anything of value, unless the object of the fraud and the thing

2

Changes made by title V only are reflected. Title VIII also amends this section. These changes are

reflected in a separate document.

- 8 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

obtained consists only of the use of the computer and the value of such use is not more than

$5,000 in any 1-year period;

(5)(A) knowingly causes the transmission of a program, information, code, or

command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally causes damage without

authorization, to a protected computer;

(B) intentionally accesses a protected computer without authorization, and as

a result of such conduct, recklessly causes damage; or

(C) intentionally accesses a protected computer without authorization, and as

a result of such conduct, causes damage;

(6) knowingly and with intent to defraud traffics (as defined in section 1029) in any

password or similar information through which a computer may be accessed without

authorization, if--

(A) such trafficking affects interstate or foreign commerce; or

(B) such computer is used by or for the Government of the United States;

(7) with intent to extort from any person, firm, association, educational institution,

financial institution, government entity, or other legal entity, any money or other thing of

value, transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat

to cause damage to a protected computer;

shall be punished as provided in subsection (c) of this section.

(b) Whoever attempts to commit an offense under subsection (a) of this section shall

be punished as provided in subsection (c) of this section.

(c) The punishment for an offense under subsection (a) or (b) of this section is--

(1)(A) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both, in

the case of an offense under subsection (a)(1) of this section which does not occur after a

conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to commit an offense

punishable under this subparagraph; and

(B) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or

both, in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(1) of this section which occurs

after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to commit an

offense punishable under this subparagraph;

(2)(A) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, in

the case of an offense under subsection (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(5)(C), or (a)(6) of this section which

does not occur after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to

commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and [FN1]

(B) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both,

in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(2), if--

(i) the offense was committed for purposes of commercial advantage

or private financial gain;

(ii) the offense was committed in furtherance of any criminal or

tortious act in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States or of

any State; or

(iii) the value of the information obtained exceeds $5,000; [FN2]

- 9 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(C) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both,

in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(6) of this section which

occurs after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt to

commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and

(3)(A) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, in

the case of an offense under subsection (a)(4), (a)(5)(A), (a)(5)(B), or (a)(7) of this section

which does not occur after a conviction for another offense under this section, or an attempt

to commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and

(B) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both,

in the case of an offense under subsection (a)(4), (a)(5)(A), (a)(5)(B), (a)(5)(C), or

(a)(7) of this section which occurs after a conviction for another offense under this

section, or an attempt to commit an offense punishable under this subparagraph; and

[FN3]

(d)(1) The United States Secret Service shall, in addition to any other agency having

such authority, have the authority to investigate offenses under subsections (a)(2)(A),

(a)(2)(B), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), and (a)(6) of this section.

(2) The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall have primary authority to investigate

offenses under subsection (a)(1) for any cases involving espionage, foreign

counterintelligence, information protected against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of

national defense or foreign relations, or Restricted Data (as that term is defined in section 11y

of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014(y)), except for offenses affecting the

duties of the United States Secret Service pursuant to section 3056(a) of this title.

(3) Such authority of the United States Secret Service shall be exercised in

accordance with an agreement which shall be entered into by the Secretary of the Treasury

and the Attorney General.

(e) As used in this section--

(1) the term "computer" means an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or

other high speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions,

and includes any data storage facility or communications facility directly related to or

operating in conjunction with such device, but such term does not include an automated

typewriter or typesetter, a portable hand held calculator, or other similar device;

(2) the term "protected computer" means a computer--

(A) exclusively for the use of a financial institution or the United States

Government, or, in the case of a computer not exclusively for such use, used by or for

a financial institution or the United States Government and the conduct constituting

the offense affects that use by or for the financial institution or the Government; or

(B) which is used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication;

(3) the term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto

Rico, and any other commonwealth, possession or territory of the United States;

(4) the term "financial institution" means--

(A) an institution with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance

Corporation;

506(a)

- 10 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(B) the Federal Reserve or a member of the Federal Reserve including any

Federal Reserve Bank;

(C) a credit union with accounts insured by the National Credit Union

Administration;

(D) a member of the Federal home loan bank system and any home loan bank;

(E) any institution of the Farm Credit System under the Farm Credit Act of

1971;

(F) a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission

pursuant to section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;

(G) the Securities Investor Protection Corporation;

(H) a branch or agency of a foreign bank (as such terms are defined in

paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978); and

(I) an organization operating under section 25 or section 25(a) of the Federal

Reserve Act. [FN4]

(5) the term "financial record" means information derived from any record held by a

financial institution pertaining to a customer's relationship with the financial institution;

(6) the term "exceeds authorized access" means to access a computer with

authorization and to use such access to obtain or alter information in the computer that the

accesser is not entitled so to obtain or alter;

(7) the term "department of the United States" means the legislative or judicial branch

of the Government or one of the executive departments enumerated in section 101 of title 5;

and [FN5]

(8) the term "damage" means any impairment to the integrity or availability of data, a

program, a system, or information, that--

(A) causes loss aggregating at least $5,000 in value during any 1-year period

to one or more individuals;

(B) modifies or impairs, or potentially modifies or impairs, the medical

examination, diagnosis, treatment, or care of one or more individuals;

(C) causes physical injury to any person; or

(D) threatens public health or safety; and

(9) the term "government entity" includes the Government of the United States, any

State or political subdivision of the United States, any foreign country, and any state,

province, municipality, or other political subdivision of a foreign country.

(f) This section does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or

intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency of the United States, a State, or a political

subdivision of a State, or of an intelligence agency of the United States.

(g) Any person who suffers damage or loss by reason of a violation of this section

may maintain a civil action against the violator to obtain compensatory damages and

injunctive relief or other equitable relief. Damages for violations involving damage as

defined in subsection (e)(8)(A) are limited to economic damages. No action may be brought

under this subsection unless such action is begun within 2 years of the date of the act

complained of or the date of the discovery of the damage.

- 11 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(h) The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury shall report to the

Congress annually, during the first 3 years following the date of the enactment of this

subsection, concerning investigations and prosecutions under subsection (a)(5).

[FN1] So in original. The word "and" should probably not appear.

[FN2] So in original. Probably should be followed by "and".

[FN3] So in original. The "; and" should probably be a period.

[FN4] So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

[FN5] So in original. The word "and" should probably not appear.

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 18. CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I--CRIMES

CHAPTER 121--STORED WIRE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND

TRANSACTIONAL RECORDS ACCESS

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 2709. Counterintelligence access to telephone toll and transactional records

(a) Duty to provide.--A wire or electronic communication service provider shall

comply with a request for subscriber information and toll billing records information, or

electronic communication transactional records in its custody or possession made by the

Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Required certification.--The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or his

designee in a position not lower than Deputy Assistant Director at Bureau headquarters or a

Special Agent in Charge in a Bureau field office designated by the Director, may--

(1) request the name, address, length of service, and local and long distance toll

billing records of a person or entity if the Director (or his designee in a position not lower

than Deputy Assistant Director) certifies in writing to the wire or electronic communication

service provider to which the request is made that--

(A) the name, address, length of service, and toll billing records sought are

relevant to an authorized foreign counterintelligence investigation; and

(B) there are specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe that the

person or entity to whom the information sought pertains is a foreign power or an

agent of a foreign power as defined in section 101 of the Foreign Intelligence

Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801); and made that the name, address, length

of service, and toll billing records sought are relevant to an authorized investigation to

protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided

that such an investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely on the

505(a)

- 12 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United

States; and

(2) request the name, address, and length of service of a person or entity if the

Director (or his designee in a position not lower than Deputy Assistant Director) certifies in

writing to the wire or electronic communication service provider to which the request is

made that--

(A) the information sought is relevant to an authorized foreign

counterintelligence investigation; and

(B) there are specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe that

communication facilities registered in the name of the person or entity have been

used, through the services of such provider, in communication with--

(i) an individual who is engaging or has engaged in international

terrorism as defined in section 101(c) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance

Act or clandestine intelligence activities that involve or may involve a

violation of the criminal statutes of the United States; or

(ii) a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power under

circumstances giving reason to believe that the communication concerned

international terrorism as defined in section 101(c) of the Foreign Intelligence

Surveillance Act or clandestine intelligence activities that involve or may

involve a violation of the criminal statutes of the United States. made that the

information sought is relevant to an authorized investigation to protect against

international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities, provided that such

an investigation of a United States person is not conducted solely upon the

basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the

United States.

(c) Prohibition of certain disclosure.--No wire or electronic communication service

provider, or officer, employee, or agent thereof, shall disclose to any person that the Federal

Bureau of Investigation has sought or obtained access to information or records under this

section.

(d) Dissemination by bureau.--The Federal Bureau of Investigation may disseminate

information and records obtained under this section only as provided in guidelines approved

by the Attorney General for foreign intelligence collection and foreign counterintelligence

investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and, with respect to

dissemination to an agency of the United States, only if such information is clearly relevant

to the authorized responsibilities of such agency.

(e) Requirement that certain congressional bodies be informed.--On a semiannual

basis the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall fully inform the Permanent

Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee

on Intelligence of the Senate, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of

Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, concerning all requests

made under subsection (b) of this section.

All

§ 505(a)

- 13 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 18. CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART II--CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 203--ARREST AND COMMITMENT

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 3056. Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service

(a) Under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, the United States Secret

Service is authorized to protect the following persons:

(1) The President, the Vice President (or other officer next in the order of succession

to the Office of President), the President-elect, and the Vice President-elect.

(2) The immediate families of those individuals listed in paragraph (1).

(3) Former Presidents and their spouses for their lifetimes, except that protection of a

spouse shall terminate in the event of remarriage unless the former President did not serve as

President prior to January 1, 1997, in which case, former Presidents and their spouses for a

period of not more than ten years from the date a former President leaves office, except that--

(A) protection of a spouse shall terminate in the event of remarriage or the

divorce from, or death of a former President; and

(B) should the death of a President occur while in office or within one year

after leaving office, the spouse shall receive protection for one year from the time of

such death:

Provided, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall have the authority to direct the Secret

Service to provide temporary protection for any of these individuals at any time if the

Secretary of the Treasury or designee determines that information or conditions warrant such

protection.

(4) Children of a former President who are under 16 years of age for a period not to

exceed ten years or upon the child becoming 16 years of age, whichever comes first.

(5) Visiting heads of foreign states or foreign governments.

(6) Other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States and official

representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad when the President

directs that such protection be provided.

(7) Major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and, within 120 days of the

general Presidential election, the spouses of such candidates. As used in this paragraph, the

term "major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates" means those individuals identified

as such by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with an advisory committee

consisting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House

of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, and one additional

member selected by the other members of the committee.

- 14 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

The protection authorized in paragraphs (2) through (7) may be declined.

(b) Under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secret Service is

authorized to detect and arrest any person who violates--

(1) section 508, 509, 510, 871, or 879 of this title or, with respect to the Federal

Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal land banks, and Federal land bank associations,

section 213, 216, 433, 493, 657, 709, 1006, 1007, 1011, 1013, 1014, 1907, or 1909 of this

title;

(2) any of the laws of the United States relating to coins, obligations, and securities of

the United States and of foreign governments; or

(3) any of the laws of the United States relating to electronic fund transfer frauds,

credit and debit card access device frauds, and false identification documents or devices, and

any fraud or other criminal or unlawful activity in or against any federally insured financial

institution; except that the authority conferred by this paragraph shall be exercised subject to

the agreement of the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury and shall not affect

the authority of any other Federal law enforcement agency with respect to those laws.

(c)(1) Under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, officers and agents of the

Secret Service are authorized to--

(A) execute warrants issued under the laws of the United States;

(B) carry firearms;

(C) make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States

committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the

United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested

has committed or is committing such felony;

(D) offer and pay rewards for services and information leading to the

apprehension of persons involved in the violation or potential violation of those

provisions of law which the Secret Service is authorized to enforce;

(E) pay expenses for unforeseen emergencies of a confidential nature under

the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury and accounted for solely on the

Secretary's certificate; and

(F) perform such other functions and duties as are authorized by law.

(2) Funds expended from appropriations available to the Secret Service for the

purchase of counterfeits and subsequently recovered shall be reimbursed to the

appropriations available to the Secret Service at the time of the reimbursement.

(d) Whoever knowingly and willfully obstructs, resists, or interferes with a Federal

law enforcement agent engaged in the performance of the protective functions authorized by

this section or by section 1752 of this title shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned

not more than one year, or both.

(e)(1) When directed by the President, the United States Secret Service is authorized

to participate, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, in the planning,

coordination, and implementation of security operations at special events of national

significance, as determined by the President.

506(b)

- 15 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(2) At the end of each fiscal year, the President through such agency or office as the

President may designate, shall report to the Congress--

(A) what events, if any, were designated special events of national

significance for security purposes under paragraph (1); and

(B) the criteria and information used in making each designation.

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 20. EDUCATION

CHAPTER 31--GENERAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING EDUCATION

SUBCHAPTER III--GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS CONCERNING

OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS: GENERAL

AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY

PART 4--RECORDS; PRIVACY; LIMITATION ON WITHHOLDING FEDERAL FUNDS

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 1232g. Family educational and privacy rights

(a) Conditions for availability of funds to educational agencies or institutions; inspection and

review of education records; specific information to be made available; procedure for access

to education records; reasonableness of time for such access; hearings; written explanations

by parents; definitions

(1)(A) No funds shall be made available under any applicable program to any

educational agency or institution which has a policy of denying, or which effectively

prevents, the parents of students who are or have been in attendance at a school of such

agency or at such institution, as the case may be, the right to inspect and review the education

records of their children. If any material or document in the education record of a student

includes information on more than one student, the parents of one of such students shall have

the right to inspect and review only such part of such material or document as relates to such

student or to be informed of the specific information contained in such part of such material.

Each educational agency or institution shall establish appropriate procedures for the granting

of a request by parents for access to the education records of their children within a

reasonable period of time, but in no case more than forty-five days after the request has been

made.

(B) No funds under any applicable program shall be made available to any

State educational agency (whether or not that agency is an educational agency or

institution under this section) that has a policy of denying, or effectively prevents, the

parents of students the right to inspect and review the education records maintained

by the State educational agency on their children who are or have been in attendance

at any school of an educational agency or institution that is subject to the provisions

of this section.

- 16 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(C) The first sentence of subparagraph (A) shall not operate to make available

to students in institutions of postsecondary education the following materials:

(i) financial records of the parents of the student or any information

contained therein;

(ii) confidential letters and statements of recommendation, which were

placed in the education records prior to January 1, 1975, if such letters or

statements are not used for purposes other than those for which they were

specifically intended;

(iii) if the student has signed a waiver of the student's right of access

under this subsection in accordance with subparagraph (D), confidential

recommendations--

(I) respecting admission to any educational agency or

institution,

(II) respecting an application for employment, and

(III) respecting the receipt of an honor or honorary recognition.

(D) A student or a person applying for admission may waive his right of

access to confidential statements described in clause (iii) of subparagraph (C), except

that such waiver shall apply to recommendations only if (i) the student is, upon

request, notified of the names of all persons making confidential recommendations

and (ii) such recommendations are used solely for the purpose for which they were

specifically intended. Such waivers may not be required as a condition for admission

to, receipt of financial aid from, or receipt of any other services or benefits from such

agency or institution.

(2) No funds shall be made available under any applicable program to any

educational agency or institution unless the parents of students who are or have been in

attendance at a school of such agency or at such institution are provided an opportunity for a

hearing by such agency or institution, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, to

challenge the content of such student's education records, in order to insure that the records

are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of students, and

to provide an opportunity for the correction or deletion of any such inaccurate, misleading or

otherwise inappropriate data contained therein and to insert into such records a written

explanation of the parents respecting the content of such records.

(3) For the purposes of this section the term "educational agency or institution" means

any public or private agency or institution which is the recipient of funds under any

applicable program.

(4)(A) For the purposes of this section, the term "education records" means, except as

may be provided otherwise in subparagraph (B), those records, files, documents, and other

materials which--

(i) contain information directly related to a student; and

(ii) are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a

person acting for such agency or institution.

(B) The term "education records" does not include--

(i) records of instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel

and educational personnel ancillary thereto which are in the sole possession of

- 17 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

the maker thereof and which are not accessible or revealed to any other person

except a substitute;

(ii) records maintained by a law enforcement unit of the educational

agency or institution that were created by that law enforcement unit for the

purpose of law enforcement;

(iii) in the case of persons who are employed by an educational agency

or institution but who are not in attendance at such agency or institution,

records made and maintained in the normal course of business which relate

exclusively to such person in that person's capacity as an employee and are

not available for use for any other purpose; or

(iv) records on a student who is eighteen years of age or older, or is

attending an institution of postsecondary education, which are made or

maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized

professional or paraprofessional acting in his professional or paraprofessional

capacity, or assisting in that capacity, and which are made, maintained, or

used only in connection with the provision of treatment to the student, and are

not available to anyone other than persons providing such treatment, except

that such records can be personally reviewed by a physician or other

appropriate professional of the student's choice.

(5)(A) For the purposes of this section the term "directory information" relating to a

student includes the following: the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place

of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports,

weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards

received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the

student.

(B) Any educational agency or institution making public directory information

shall give public notice of the categories of information which it has designated as

such information with respect to each student attending the institution or agency and

shall allow a reasonable period of time after such notice has been given for a parent to

inform the institution or agency that any or all of the information designated should

not be released without the parent's prior consent.

(6) For the purposes of this section, the term "student" includes any person with

respect to whom an educational agency or institution maintains education records or

personally identifiable information, but does not include a person who has not been in

attendance at such agency or institution.

(b) Release of education records; parental consent requirement; exceptions; compliance

with judicial orders and subpoenas; audit and evaluation of federally-supported education

programs; recordkeeping

(1) No funds shall be made available under any applicable program to any

educational agency or institution which has a policy or practice of permitting the release of

education records (or personally identifiable information contained therein other than

directory information, as defined in paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of this section) of

students without the written consent of their parents to any individual, agency, or

organization, other than to the following--

- 18 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(A) other school officials, including teachers within the educational institution

or local educational agency, who have been determined by such agency or institution

to have legitimate educational interests, including the educational interests of the

child for whom consent would otherwise be required;

(B) officials of other schools or school systems in which the student seeks or

intends to enroll, upon condition that the student's parents be notified of the transfer,

receive a copy of the record if desired, and have an opportunity for a hearing to

challenge the content of the record;

(C) (i) authorized representatives of (I) the Comptroller General of the United

States, (II) the Secretary, or (III) State educational authorities, under the conditions

set forth in paragraph (3), or (ii) authorized representatives of the Attorney General

for law enforcement purposes under the same conditions as apply to the Secretary

under paragraph (3);

(D) in connection with a student's application for, or receipt of, financial aid;

(E) State and local officials or authorities to whom such information is

specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed pursuant to State statute adopted--

(i) before November 19, 1974, if the allowed reporting or disclosure

concerns the juvenile justice system and such system's ability to effectively

serve the student whose records are released, or

(ii) after November 19, 1974, if--

(I) the allowed reporting or disclosure concerns the juvenile

justice system and such system's ability to effectively serve, prior to

adjudication, the student whose records are released; and

(II) the officials and authorities to whom such information is

disclosed certify in writing to the educational agency or institution that

the information will not be disclosed to any other party except as

provided under State law without the prior written consent of the

parent of the student. [FN1]

(F) organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies

or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive

tests, administering student aid programs, and improving instruction, if such studies

are conducted in such a manner as will not permit the personal identification of

students and their parents by persons other than representatives of such organizations

and such information will be destroyed when no longer needed for the purpose for

which it is conducted;

(G) accrediting organizations in order to carry out their accrediting functions;

(H) parents of a dependent student of such parents, as defined in section 152

of Title 26;

(I) subject to regulations of the Secretary, in connection with an emergency,

appropriate persons if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the

health or safety of the student or other persons; and

(J)(i) the entity or persons designated in a Federal grand jury subpoena, in

which case the court shall order, for good cause shown, the educational agency or

institution (and any officer, director, employee, agent, or attorney for such agency or

institution) on which the subpoena is served, to not disclose to any person the

- 19 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

existence or contents of the subpoena or any information furnished to the grand jury

in response to the subpoena; and

(ii) the entity or persons designated in any other subpoena issued for a

law enforcement purpose, in which case the court or other issuing agency may

order, for good cause shown, the educational agency or institution (and any

officer, director, employee, agent, or attorney for such agency or institution)

on which the subpoena is served, to not disclose to any person the existence or

contents of the subpoena or any information furnished in response to the

subpoena.

Nothing in clause (E) of this paragraph shall prevent a State from further limiting the number

or type of State or local officials who will continue to have access thereunder.

(2) No funds shall be made available under any applicable program to any

educational agency or institution which has a policy or practice of releasing, or providing

access to, any personally identifiable information in education records other than directory

information, or as is permitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection, unless--

(A) there is written consent from the student's parents specifying records to be

released, the reasons for such release, and to whom, and with a copy of the records to

be released to the student's parents and the student if desired by the parents, or

(B) except as provided in paragraph (1)(J), such information is furnished in

compliance with judicial order, or pursuant to any lawfully issued subpoena, upon

condition that parents and the students are notified of all such orders or subpoenas in

advance of the compliance therewith by the educational institution or agency.

(3) Nothing contained in this section shall preclude authorized representatives of (A)

the Comptroller General of the United States, (B) the Secretary, or (C) State educational

authorities from having access to student or other records which may be necessary in

connection with the audit and evaluation of Federally-supported education programs, or in

connection with the enforcement of the Federal legal requirements which relate to such

programs: Provided, That except when collection of personally identifiable information is

specifically authorized by Federal law, any data collected by such officials shall be protected

in a manner which will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents by

other than those officials, and such personally identifiable data shall be destroyed when no

longer needed for such audit, evaluation, and enforcement of Federal legal requirements.

(4)(A) Each educational agency or institution shall maintain a record, kept with the

education records of each student, which will indicate all individuals (other than those

specified in paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection), agencies, or organizations which have

requested or obtained access to a student's education records maintained by such educational

agency or institution, and which will indicate specifically the legitimate interest that each

such person, agency, or organization has in obtaining this information. Such record of access

shall be available only to parents, to the school official and his assistants who are responsible

for the custody of such records, and to persons or organizations authorized in, and under the

conditions of, clauses (A) and (C) of paragraph (1) as a means of auditing the operation of

the system.

(B) With respect to this subsection, personal information shall only be

transferred to a third party on the condition that such party will not permit any other

party to have access to such information without the written consent of the parents of

- 20 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

the student. If a third party outside the educational agency or institution permits

access to information in violation of paragraph (2)(A), or fails to destroy information

in violation of paragraph (1)(F), the educational agency or institution shall be

prohibited from permitting access to information from education records to that third

party for a period of not less than five years.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit State and local educational

officials from having access to student or other records which may be necessary in

connection with the audit and evaluation of any federally or State supported education

program or in connection with the enforcement of the Federal legal requirements which

relate to any such program, subject to the conditions specified in the proviso in paragraph (3).

(6)(A) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an institution of

postsecondary education from disclosing, to an alleged victim of any crime of violence (as

that term is defined in section 16 of Title 18), or a nonforcible sex offense, the final results of

any disciplinary proceeding conducted by such institution against the alleged perpetrator of

such crime or offense with respect to such crime or offense.

(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an institution of

postsecondary education from disclosing the final results of any disciplinary

proceeding conducted by such institution against a student who is an alleged

perpetrator of any crime of violence (as that term is defined in section 16 of Title 18),

or a nonforcible sex offense, if the institution determines as a result of that

disciplinary proceeding that the student committed a violation of the institution's rules

or policies with respect to such crime or offense.

(C) For the purpose of this paragraph, the final results of any disciplinary

proceeding--

(i) shall include only the name of the student, the violation committed,

and any sanction imposed by the institution on that student; and

(ii) may include the name of any other student, such as a victim or

witness, only with the written consent of that other student.

(7)(A) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit an educational institution

from disclosing information provided to the institution under section 14071 of Title 42

concerning registered sex offenders who are required to register under such section.

(B) The Secretary shall take appropriate steps to notify educational institutions

that disclosure of information described in subparagraph (A) is permitted.

(c) Surveys or data-gathering activities; regulations

Not later than 240 days after October 20, 1994, the Secretary shall adopt appropriate

regulations or procedures, or identify existing regulations or procedures, which protect the

rights of privacy of students and their families in connection with any surveys or datagathering

activities conducted, assisted, or authorized by the Secretary or an administrative

head of an education agency. Regulations established under this subsection shall include

provisions controlling the use, dissemination, and protection of such data. No survey or datagathering

activities shall be conducted by the Secretary, or an administrative head of an

education agency under an applicable program, unless such activities are authorized by law.

- 21 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(d) Students' rather than parents' permission or consent

For the purposes of this section, whenever a student has attained eighteen years of

age, or is attending an institution of postsecondary education, the permission or consent

required of and the rights accorded to the parents of the student shall thereafter only be

required of and accorded to the student.

(e) Informing parents or students of rights under this section

No funds shall be made available under any applicable program to any educational

agency or institution unless such agency or institution effectively informs the parents of

students, or the students, if they are eighteen years of age or older, or are attending an

institution of postsecondary education, of the rights accorded them by this section.

(f) Enforcement; termination of assistance

The Secretary shall take appropriate actions to enforce this section and to deal with

violations of this section, in accordance with this chapter, except that action to terminate

assistance may be taken only if the Secretary finds there has been a failure to comply with

this section, and he has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means.

(g) Office and review board; creation; functions

The Secretary shall establish or designate an office and review board within the

Department for the purpose of investigating, processing, reviewing, and adjudicating

violations of this section and complaints which may be filed concerning alleged violations of

this section. Except for the conduct of hearings, none of the functions of the Secretary under

this section shall be carried out in any of the regional offices of such Department.

(h) Disciplinary records; disclosure

Nothing in this section shall prohibit an educational agency or institution from--

(1) including appropriate information in the education record of any student

concerning disciplinary action taken against such student for conduct that posed a significant

risk to the safety or well-being of that student, other students, or other members of the school

community; or

(2) disclosing such information to teachers and school officials, including teachers

and school officials in other schools, who have legitimate educational interests in the

behavior of the student.

(i) Drug and alcohol violation disclosures

(1) In general

Nothing in this chapter [20 U.S.C.A. § 1221 et seq.] or chapter 28 of this title [20

U.S.C.A. § 1001 et seq.] shall be construed to prohibit an institution of higher education from

disclosing, to a parent or legal guardian of a student, information regarding any violation of

any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the institution, governing the use

or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance, regardless of whether that information is

contained in the student's education records, if--

(A) the student is under the age of 21; and

- 22 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(B) the institution determines that the student has committed a disciplinary

violation with respect to such use or possession.

(2) State law regarding disclosure

Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to supersede any provision of State law

that prohibits an institution of higher education from making the disclosure described in

subsection (a).

(j) INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TERRORISM.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (i) or any provision of State

law, the Attorney General (or any Federal officer or employee, in a position not lower than

an Assistant Attorney General, designated by the Attorney General) may submit a written

application to a court of competent jurisdiction for an ex parte order requiring an educational

agency or institution to permit the Attorney General (or his designee) to—

(A) collect education records in the possession of the educational agency or

institution that are relevant to an authorized investigation or prosecution of an offense

listed in section 2332b(g)(5)(B) of title 18 United States Code, or an act of domestic

or international terrorism as defined in section 2331 of that title; and

(B) for official purposes related to the investigation or prosecution of an

offense described in paragraph (1)(A), retain, disseminate, and use (including as

evidence at trial or in other administrative or judicial proceedings) such records,

consistent with such guidelines as the Attorney General, after consultation with the

Secretary, shall issue to protect confidentiality.

(2) APPLICATION AND APPROVAL.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—An application under paragraph (1) shall certify that there are

specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe that the education records are

likely to contain information described in paragraph (1)(A).

(B) The court shall issue an order described in paragraph (1) if the court finds

that the application for the order includes the certification described in subparagraph

(A).

(3) PROTECTION OF EDUCATIONAL AGENCY OR INSTITUTION.—An educational agency or

institution that, in good faith, produces education records in accordance with an order issued

under this subsection shall not be liable to any person for that production.

(4) RECORD-KEEPING.—Subsection (b)(4) does not apply to education records subject to

a court order under this subsection.

[FN1] So in original. The period probably should be a comma.

§ 507

- 23 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 20. EDUCATION

CHAPTER 71--NATIONAL EDUCATION STATISTICS

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 9007. Confidentiality

(a) Confidentiality standards

(1) In general

(A) The Center shall develop and enforce standards designed to protect the

confidentiality of persons in the collection, reporting, and publication of data under

this chapter.

(B) This section shall not be construed to protect the confidentiality of

information about institutions, organizations, and agencies that receive grants from,

or have contracts or cooperative agreements with, the Federal Government.

(2) Prohibition

No person may--

(A) use any individually identifiable information furnished under this chapter

for any purpose other than a statistical purpose;

(B) make any publication whereby the data furnished by any particular person

under this chapter can be identified; or

(C) permit anyone other than the individuals authorized by the Commissioner

to examine the individual reports.

(b) Administration

(1) In general

No department, bureau, agency, officer, or employee of the Federal Government,

except the Commissioner in carrying out the purposes of this chapter, shall require, for any

reason, copies of reports that have been filed under this chapter with the Center or retained

by any individual respondent. Copies of such reports that have been so filed or retained with

the Center or any of the Center's employees, contractors, or agents shall be immune from

legal process, and shall not, without the consent of the individual concerned, be admitted as

evidence or used for any purpose in any action, suit, or other judicial or administrative

proceeding. This paragraph shall apply only to individually identifiable information (as

defined in paragraph (5)(A)).

(2) Employee or staff violations

Whoever, being or having been an employee or staff member of the Department,

having taken or subscribed the oath of office, or having sworn to observe the limitations

imposed by subsection (a)(2) of this section, knowingly publishes or communicates any

individually identifiable information (as defined in paragraph (5)(A)), the disclosure of which

is prohibited by subsection (a)(2) of this section, and that comes into such employee or staff's

possession by reason of employment (or otherwise providing services) under this chapter,

shall be found guilty of a class E felony and imprisoned for not more than five years, or fined

as specified in section 3571 of Title 18 or both.

- 24 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(3) Temporary staff

The Commissioner may utilize temporary staff, including employees of Federal,

State, or local agencies or instrumentalities (including local educational agencies), and

employees of private organizations to assist the Center in performing the Center's

responsibilities, but only if such temporary staff are sworn to observe the limitations imposed

by this section.

(4) Information requirements

No collection of information or data acquisition activity undertaken by the Center

shall be subject to any review, coordination, or approval procedure except as required by the

Director of the Office of Management and Budget under the rules and regulations established

pursuant to chapter 35 of Title 44 except such collection of information or data acquisition

activity may be subject to review or coordination if the Commissioner determines that such

review or coordination is beneficial.

(5) Definitions

For the purposes of this section--

(A) the term "individually identifiable information" means any record,

response form, completed survey, or aggregation thereof from which information

about particular individuals may be revealed; and

(B) the term "report" means a response provided by or about an individual to

an inquiry from the Center and does not include a statistical aggregation from which

individually identifiable information cannot be revealed.

(6) Violations

Any person who uses any data provided by the Center, in conjunction with any other

information or technique, to identify any individual student, teacher, administrator, or other

individual and who knowingly discloses, publishes, or uses such data for a purpose other than

a statistical purpose, or who otherwise violates subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(2)

of this section, shall be found guilty of a class E felony and imprisoned for not more than five

years, or fined as specified in section 3571 of Title 18, or both.

(7) Access to reports or records

Nothing in this section shall restrict the right of the Secretary, the Comptroller

General of the United States, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and the

Librarian of Congress, to gain access to any reports or other records, including information

identifying individuals, in the Center's possession, except that the same restrictions on

disclosure that apply under paragraphs (1) and (6) shall apply to such individuals.

(c) INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TERRORISM.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the Attorney General (or

any Federal officer or employee, in a position not lower than an Assistant Attorney General,

designated by the Attorney General) may submit a written application to a court of competent

jurisdiction for an ex parte order requiring the Secretary to permit the Attorney General (or

his designee) to—

(A) collect reports, records, and information (including individually

identifiable information) in the possession of the center that are relevant to an

authorized investigation or prosecution of an offense listed in section 2332b(g)(5)(B)

508

- 25 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

of title 18, United States Code, or an act of domestic or international terrorism as

defined in section 2331 of that title; and

(B) for official purposes related to the investigation or prosecution of an

offense described in paragraph (1)(A), retain, disseminate, and use (including as

evidence at trial or in other administrative or judicial proceedings) such information,

consistent with such guidelines as the Attorney General, after consultation with the

Secretary, shall issue to protect confidentiality.

(2) APPLICATION AND APPROVAL.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—An application under paragraph (1) shall certify that there are

specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe that the information sought is

described in paragraph (1)(A).

(B) The court shall issue an order described in paragraph (1) if the court finds

that the application for the order includes the certification described in subparagraph

(A).

(3) PROTECTION.—An officer or employee of the Department who, in good faith,

produces information in accordance with an order issued under this subsection does not

violate subsection (b)(2) and shall not be liable to any person for that production.

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 22. FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE

CHAPTER 38--DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 2708. Department of State rewards program

(a) Establishment

(1) In general

There is established a program for the payment of rewards to carry out the purposes

of this section.

(2) Purpose

The rewards program shall be designed to assist in the prevention of acts of

international terrorism, international narcotics trafficking, and other related criminal acts.

(3) Implementation

The rewards program shall be administered by the Secretary of State, in consultation,

as appropriate, with the Attorney General.

(b) Rewards authorized

§ 508

- 26 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

In the sole discretion of the Secretary (except as provided in subsection (c)(2)) and in

consultation, as appropriate, with the Attorney General, the Secretary may pay a reward to

any individual who furnishes information leading to--

(1) the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual for the commission of an

act of international terrorism against a United States person or United States property;

(2) the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual conspiring or attempting

to commit an act of international terrorism against a United States person or United States

property;

(3) the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual for committing, primarily

outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, any narcotics-related offense if that

offense involves or is a significant part of conduct that involves--

(A) a violation of United States narcotics laws such that the individual would

be a major violator of such laws;

(B) the killing or kidnapping of--

(i) any officer, employee, or contract employee of the United States

Government while such individual is engaged in official duties, or on account

of that individual's official duties, in connection with the enforcement of

United States narcotics laws or the implementing of United States narcotics

control objectives; or

(ii) a member of the immediate family of any such individual on

account of that individual's official duties, in connection with the enforcement

of United States narcotics laws or the implementing of United States narcotics

control objectives; or

(C) an attempt or conspiracy to commit any act described in subparagraph (A)

or (B);

(4) the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual aiding or abetting in the

commission of an act described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3); or

(5) the prevention, frustration, or favorable resolution of an act described in paragraph

(1), (2), or (3)., including by dismantling an organization in whole or significant part; or

(6) the identification or location of an individual who holds a key leadership position

in a terrorist organization.

(c) Coordination

(1) Procedures

To ensure that the payment of rewards pursuant to this section does not duplicate or

interfere with the payment of informants or the obtaining of evidence or information, as

authorized to the Department of Justice, the offering, administration, and payment of rewards

under this section, including procedures for--

(A) identifying individuals, organizations, and offenses with respect to which

rewards will be offered;

(B) the publication of rewards;

(C) the offering of joint rewards with foreign governments;

(D) the receipt and analysis of data; and

(E) the payment and approval of payment,

502(1)

- 27 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

shall be governed by procedures developed by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the

Attorney General.

(2) Prior approval of Attorney General required

Before making a reward under this section in a matter over which there is Federal

criminal jurisdiction, the Secretary of State shall obtain the concurrence of the Attorney

General.

(d) Funding

(1) Authorization of appropriations

Notwithstanding section 102 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years

1986 and 1987 (Public Law 99-93; 99 Stat. 408), but subject to paragraph (2), there are

authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State from time to time such amounts as

may be necessary to carry out this section.

(2) Limitation

No amount of funds may be appropriated under paragraph (1) which, when added to

the unobligated balance of amounts previously appropriated to carry out this section, would

cause such amounts to exceed $15,000,000.

(3) Allocation of funds

To the maximum extent practicable, funds made available to carry out this section

should be distributed equally for the purpose of preventing acts of international terrorism and

for the purpose of preventing international narcotics trafficking.

(4)(2) Period of availability

Amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.

(e) Limitations and certification

(1) Maximum amount

No reward paid under this section may exceed $5,000,000, except as personally

authorized by the Secretary of State if he determines that offer or payment of an award of a

larger amount is necessary to combat terrorism or defend the Nation against terrorist acts.

(2) Approval

A reward under this section of more than $100,000 may not be made without the

approval of the Secretary.

(3) Certification for payment

Any reward granted under this section shall be approved and certified for payment by

the Secretary.

(4) Nondelegation of authority

The authority to approve rewards of more than $100,000 set forth in paragraph (2)

may not be delegated.

(5) Protection measures

If the Secretary determines that the identity of the recipient of a reward or of the

members of the recipient's immediate family must be protected, the Secretary may take such

measures in connection with the payment of the reward as he considers necessary to effect

such protection.

502(2)

502(3)

- 28 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(f) Ineligibility

An officer or employee of any entity of Federal, State, or local government or of a

foreign government who, while in the performance of his or her official duties, furnishes

information described in subsection (b) shall not be eligible for a reward under this section.

(g) Reports

(1) Reports on payment of rewards

Not later than 30 days after the payment of any reward under this section, the

Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to

such reward. The report, which may be submitted in classified form if necessary, shall

specify the amount of the reward paid, to whom the reward was paid, and the acts with

respect to which the reward was paid. The report shall also discuss the significance of the

information for which the reward was paid in dealing with those acts.

(2) Annual reports

Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit a

report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to the operation of the

rewards program. The report shall provide information on the total amounts expended during

the fiscal year ending in that year to carry out this section, including amounts expended to

publicize the availability of rewards.

(h) Publication regarding rewards offered by foreign governments

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, in the sole discretion of the

Secretary, the resources of the rewards program shall be available for the publication of

rewards offered by foreign governments regarding acts of international terrorism which do

not involve United States persons or property or a violation of the narcotics laws of the

United States.

(i) Determinations of the Secretary

A determination made by the Secretary under this section shall be final and

conclusive and shall not be subject to judicial review.

(j) Definitions

As used in this section:

(1) Act of international terrorism

The term "act of international terrorism" includes--

(A) any act substantially contributing to the acquisition of unsafeguarded

special nuclear material (as defined in paragraph (8) of section 830 of the Nuclear

Proliferation Prevention Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 3201 note)) or any nuclear explosive

device (as defined in paragraph (4) of that section) by an individual, group, or nonnuclear-

weapon state (as defined in paragraph (5) of that section); and

(B) any act, as determined by the Secretary, which materially supports the

conduct of international terrorism, including the counterfeiting of United States

currency or the illegal use of other monetary instruments by an individual, group, or

country supporting international terrorism as determined for purposes of section

6(j)(1)(A) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)(1)(A)).

- 29 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(2) Appropriate congressional committees

The term "appropriate congressional committees" means the Committee on

International Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign

Relations of the Senate.

(3) Member of the immediate family

The term "member of the immediate family", with respect to an individual, includes--

(A) a spouse, parent, brother, sister, or child of the individual;

(B) a person with respect to whom the individual stands in loco parentis; and

(C) any person not covered by subparagraph (A) or (B) who is living in the

individual's household and is related to the individual by blood or marriage.

(4) Rewards program

The term "rewards program" means the program established in subsection (a)(1).

(5) United States narcotics laws

The term "United States narcotics laws" means the laws of the United States for the

prevention and control of illicit trafficking in controlled substances (as such term is defined

in section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(6))).

(6) United States person

The term "United States person" means--

(A) a citizen or national of the United States; and

(B) an alien lawfully present in the United States.

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 42. THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

CHAPTER 136--VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

SUBCHAPTER IX--STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

PART A--DNA IDENTIFICATION

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 14135a. Collection and use of DNA identification information from certain Federal

offenders

(a) Collection of DNA samples

(1) From individuals in custody

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall collect a DNA sample from each

individual in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons who is, or has been, convicted of a

qualifying Federal offense (as determined under subsection (d)) or a qualifying military

offense, as determined under section 1565 of Title 10.

(2) From individuals on release, parole, or probation

The probation office responsible for the supervision under Federal law of an

individual on probation, parole, or supervised release shall collect a DNA sample from each

such individual who is, or has been, convicted of a qualifying Federal offense (as determined

- 30 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

under subsection (d)) or a qualifying military offense, as determined under section 1565 of

Title 10.

(3) Individuals already in CODIS

For each individual described in paragraph (1) or (2), if the Combined DNA Index

System (in this section referred to as "CODIS") of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

contains a DNA analysis with respect to that individual, or if a DNA sample has been

collected from that individual under section 1565 of Title 10, the Director of the Bureau of

Prisons or the probation office responsible (as applicable) may (but need not) collect a DNA

sample from that individual.

(4) Collection procedures

(A) The Director of the Bureau of Prisons or the probation office responsible

(as applicable) may use or authorize the use of such means as are reasonably

necessary to detain, restrain, and collect a DNA sample from an individual who

refuses to cooperate in the collection of the sample.

(B) The Director of the Bureau of Prisons or the probation office, as

appropriate, may enter into agreements with units of State or local government or

with private entities to provide for the collection of the samples described in

paragraph (1) or (2).

(5) Criminal penalty

An individual from whom the collection of a DNA sample is authorized under this

subsection who fails to cooperate in the collection of that sample shall be--

(A) guilty of a class A misdemeanor; and

(B) punished in accordance with Title 18.

(b) Analysis and use of samples

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons or the probation office responsible (as

applicable) shall furnish each DNA sample collected under subsection (a) to the Director of

the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who shall carry out a DNA analysis on each such DNA

sample and include the results in CODIS.

(c) Definitions

In this section:

(1) The term "DNA sample" means a tissue, fluid, or other bodily sample of an

individual on which a DNA analysis can be carried out.

(2) The term "DNA analysis" means analysis of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

identification information in a bodily sample.

(d) Qualifying Federal offenses

(1) The offenses that shall be treated for purposes of this section as qualifying Federal

offenses are the following offenses under Title 18, as determined by the Attorney General:

(A) Murder (as described in section 1111 of such title), voluntary

manslaughter (as described in section 1112 of such title), or other offense relating to

homicide (as described in chapter 51 of such title, sections 1113, 1114, 1116, 1118,

1119, 1120, and 1121).

- 31 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(B) An offense relating to sexual abuse (as described in chapter 109A of such

title, sections 2241 through 2245), to sexual exploitation or other abuse of children

(as described in chapter 110 of such title, sections 2251 through 2252), or to

transportation for illegal sexual activity (as described in chapter 117 of such title,

sections 2421, 2422, 2423, and 2425).

(C) An offense relating to peonage and slavery (as described in chapter 77 of

such title).

(D) Kidnapping (as defined in section 3559(c)(2)(E) of such title).

(E) An offense involving robbery or burglary (as described in chapter 103 of

such title, sections 2111 through 2114, 2116, and 2118 through 2119).

(F) Any violation of section 1153 involving murder, manslaughter,

kidnapping, maiming, a felony offense relating to sexual abuse (as described in

chapter 109A), incest, arson, burglary, or robbery.

(G) Any attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the above offenses.

(2) The initial determination of qualifying Federal offenses shall be made not later

than 120 days after December 19, 2000. In addition to the offenses described in paragraph

(1), the following offenses shall be treated for purposes of this section as qualifying Federal

offenses, as determined by the Attorney General:

(A) Any offense listed in section 2332b(g)(5)(B) of title 18, United States

Code.

(B) Any crime of violence (as defined in section 16 of title 18, United States

Code).

(C) Any attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the above offenses.

(e) Regulations

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section shall be carried out under regulations

prescribed by the Attorney General.

(2) Probation officers

The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall make

available model procedures for the activities of probation officers in carrying out this section.

(f) Commencement of collection

Collection of DNA samples under subsection (a) shall, subject to the availability of

appropriations, commence not later than the date that is 180 days after December 18, 2000.

503

- 32 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 50. WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE

CHAPTER 36--FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE

SUBCHAPTER I--ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 1806. Use of information

(a) Compliance with minimization procedures; privileged communications; lawful purposes

Information acquired from an electronic surveillance conducted pursuant to this

subchapter concerning any United States person may be used and disclosed by Federal

officers and employees without the consent of the United States person only in accordance

with the minimization procedures required by this subchapter. No otherwise privileged

communication obtained in accordance with, or in violation of, the provisions of this

subchapter shall lose its privileged character. No information acquired from an electronic

surveillance pursuant to this subchapter may be used or disclosed by Federal officers or

employees except for lawful purposes.

(b) Statement for disclosure

No information acquired pursuant to this subchapter shall be disclosed for law

enforcement purposes unless such disclosure is accompanied by a statement that such

information, or any information derived therefrom, may only be used in a criminal

proceeding with the advance authorization of the Attorney General.

(c) Notification by United States

Whenever the Government intends to enter into evidence or otherwise use or disclose

in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, department, officer, agency,

regulatory body, or other authority of the United States, against an aggrieved person, any

information obtained or derived from an electronic surveillance of that aggrieved person

pursuant to the authority of this subchapter, the Government shall, prior to the trial, hearing,

or other proceeding or at a reasonable time prior to an effort to so disclose or so use that

information or submit it in evidence, notify the aggrieved person and the court or other

authority in which the information is to be disclosed or used that the Government intends to

so disclose or so use such information.

(d) Notification by States or political subdivisions

Whenever any State or political subdivision thereof intends to enter into evidence or

otherwise use or disclose in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court,

department, officer, agency, regulatory body, or other authority of a State or a political

subdivision thereof, against an aggrieved person any information obtained or derived from an

electronic surveillance of that aggrieved person pursuant to the authority of this subchapter,

the State or political subdivision thereof shall notify the aggrieved person, the court or other

authority in which the information is to be disclosed or used, and the Attorney General that

the State or political subdivision thereof intends to so disclose or so use such information.

- 33 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(e) Motion to suppress

Any person against whom evidence obtained or derived from an electronic

surveillance to which he is an aggrieved person is to be, or has been, introduced or otherwise

used or disclosed in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, department,

officer, agency, regulatory body, or other authority of the United States, a State, or a political

subdivision thereof, may move to suppress the evidence obtained or derived from such

electronic surveillance on the grounds that--

(1) the information was unlawfully acquired; or

(2) the surveillance was not made in conformity with an order of authorization or

approval.

Such a motion shall be made before the trial, hearing, or other proceeding unless there was

no opportunity to make such a motion or the person was not aware of the grounds of the

motion.

(f) In camera and ex parte review by district court

Whenever a court or other authority is notified pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this

section, or whenever a motion is made pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, or whenever

any motion or request is made by an aggrieved person pursuant to any other statute or rule of

the United States or any State before any court or other authority of the United States or any

State to discover or obtain applications or orders or other materials relating to electronic

surveillance or to discover, obtain, or suppress evidence or information obtained or derived

from electronic surveillance under this chapter, the United States district court or, where the

motion is made before another authority, the United States district court in the same district

as the authority, shall, notwithstanding any other law, if the Attorney General files an

affidavit under oath that disclosure or an adversary hearing would harm the national security

of the United States, review in camera and ex parte the application, order, and such other

materials relating to the surveillance as may be necessary to determine whether the

surveillance of the aggrieved person was lawfully authorized and conducted. In making this

determination, the court may disclose to the aggrieved person, under appropriate security

procedures and protective orders, portions of the application, order, or other materials

relating to the surveillance only where such disclosure is necessary to make an accurate

determination of the legality of the surveillance.

(g) Suppression of evidence; denial of motion

If the United States district court pursuant to subsection (f) of this section determines

that the surveillance was not lawfully authorized or conducted, it shall, in accordance with

the requirements of law, suppress the evidence which was unlawfully obtained or derived

from electronic surveillance of the aggrieved person or otherwise grant the motion of the

aggrieved person. If the court determines that the surveillance was lawfully authorized and

conducted, it shall deny the motion of the aggrieved person except to the extent that due

process requires discovery or disclosure.

- 34 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(h) Finality of orders

Orders granting motions or requests under subsection (g) of this section, decisions

under this section that electronic surveillance was not lawfully authorized or conducted, and

orders of the United States district court requiring review or granting disclosure of

applications, orders, or other materials relating to a surveillance shall be final orders and

binding upon all courts of the United States and the several States except a United States

court of appeals and the Supreme Court.

(i) Destruction of unintentionally acquired information

In circumstances involving the unintentional acquisition by an electronic, mechanical,

or other surveillance device of the contents of any radio communication, under circumstances

in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and a warrant would be required

for law enforcement purposes, and if both the sender and all intended recipients are located

within the United States, such contents shall be destroyed upon recognition, unless the

Attorney General determines that the contents indicate a threat of death or serious bodily

harm to any person.

(j) Notification of emergency employment of electronic surveillance; contents;

postponement, suspension or elimination

If an emergency employment of electronic surveillance is authorized under section

1805(e) of this title and a subsequent order approving the surveillance is not obtained, the

judge shall cause to be served on any United States person named in the application and on

such other United States persons subject to electronic surveillance as the judge may

determine in his discretion it is in the interest of justice to serve, notice of--

(1) the fact of the application;

(2) the period of the surveillance; and

(3) the fact that during the period information was or was not obtained.

On an ex parte showing of good cause to the judge the serving of the notice required by this

subsection may be postponed or suspended for a period not to exceed ninety days.

Thereafter, on a further ex parte showing of good cause, the court shall forego ordering the

serving of the notice required under this subsection.

(k)(1) Federal officers who conduct electronic surveillance to acquire foreign intelligence

information under this title may consult with Federal law enforcement officers to coordinate

efforts to investigate or protect against—

(A) actual or potential attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or

an agent of a foreign power;

(B) sabotage or international terrorism by a foreign power or an agent of a

foreign power; or

(C) clandestine intelligence activities by an intelligence service or network of

a foreign power or by an agent of a foreign power.

(2) Coordination authorized under paragraph (1) shall not preclude the certification required

by section 104(a)(7)(B) or the entry of an order under section 105.

§ 504(a)

- 35 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED

TITLE 50. WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE

CHAPTER 36--FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE

SUBCHAPTER II--PHYSICAL SEARCHES

Current through P.L. 107-19, approved 7-10-01

§ 1825. Use of information

(a) Compliance with minimization procedures; lawful purposes

Information acquired from a physical search conducted pursuant to this subchapter

concerning any United States person may be used and disclosed by Federal officers and

employees without the consent of the United States person only in accordance with the

minimization procedures required by this subchapter. No information acquired from a

physical search pursuant to this subchapter may be used or disclosed by Federal officers or

employees except for lawful purposes.

(b) Notice of search and identification of property seized, altered, or reproduced

Where a physical search authorized and conducted pursuant to section 1824 of this

title involves the residence of a United States person, and, at any time after the search the

Attorney General determines there is no national security interest in continuing to maintain

the secrecy of the search, the Attorney shall provide notice to the United States person whose

residence was searched of the fact of the search conducted pursuant to this chapter and shall

identify any property of such person seized, altered, or reproduced during such search.

(c) Statement for disclosure

No information acquired pursuant to this subchapter shall be disclosed for law

enforcement purposes unless such disclosure is accompanied by a statement that such

information, or any information derived therefrom, may only be used in a criminal

proceeding with the advance authorization of the Attorney General.

(d) Notification by United States

Whenever the United States intends to enter into evidence or otherwise use or

disclose in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, department, officer,

agency, regulatory body, or other authority of the United States, against an aggrieved person,

any information obtained or derived from a physical search pursuant to the authority of this

subchapter, the United States shall, prior to the trial, hearing, or the other proceeding or at a

reasonable time prior to an effort to so disclose or so use that information or submit it in

evidence, notify the aggrieved person and the court or other authority in which the

information is to be disclosed or used that the United States intends to so disclose or so use

such information.

- 36 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(e) Notification by States or political subdivisions

Whenever any State or political subdivision thereof intends to enter into evidence or

otherwise use or disclose in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court,

department, officer, agency, regulatory body, or other authority of a State or a political

subdivision thereof against an aggrieved person any information obtained or derived from a

physical search pursuant to the authority of this subchapter, the State or political subdivision

thereof shall notify the aggrieved person, the court or other authority in which the

information is to be disclosed or used, and the Attorney General that the State or political

subdivision thereof intends to so disclose or so use such information.

(f) Motion to suppress

(1) Any person against whom evidence obtained or derived from a physical search to

which he is an aggrieved person is to be, or has been, introduced or otherwise used or

disclosed in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, department, officer,

agency, regulatory body, or other authority of the United States, a State, or a political

subdivision thereof, may move to suppress the evidence obtained or derived from such search

on the grounds that--

(A) the information was unlawfully acquired; or

(B) the physical search was not made in conformity with an order of

authorization or approval.

(2) Such a motion shall be made before the trial, hearing, or other proceeding unless

there was no opportunity to make such a motion or the person was not aware of the grounds

of the motion.

(g) In camera and ex parte review by district court

Whenever a court or other authority is notified pursuant to subsection (d) or (e) of this

section, or whenever a motion is made pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, or whenever

any motion or request is made by an aggrieved person pursuant to any other statute or rule of

the United States or any State before any court or other authority of the United States or any

State to discover or obtain applications or orders or other materials relating to a physical

search authorized by this subchapter or to discover, obtain, or suppress evidence or

information obtained or derived from a physical search authorized by this subchapter, the

United States district court or, where the motion is made before another authority, the United

States district court in the same district as the authority shall, notwithstanding any other

provision of law, if the Attorney General files an affidavit under oath that disclosure or any

adversary hearing would harm the national security of the United States, review in camera

and ex parte the application, order, and such other materials relating to the physical search as

may be necessary to determine whether the physical search of the aggrieved person was

lawfully authorized and conducted. In making this determination, the court may disclose to

the aggrieved person, under appropriate security procedures and protective orders, portions

of the application, order, or other materials relating to the physical search, or may require the

Attorney General to provide to the aggrieved person a summary of such materials, only

where such disclosure is necessary to make an accurate determination of the legality of the

physical search.

- 37 -

WASH1:3595202.v1 12/21/01

1-826901

(h) Suppression of evidence; denial of motion

If the United States district court pursuant to subsection (g) of this section determines

that the physical search was not lawfully authorized or conducted, it shall, in accordance with

the requirements of law, suppress the evidence which was unlawfully obtained or derived

from the physical search of the aggrieved person or otherwise grant the motion of the

aggrieved person. If the court determines that the physical search was lawfully authorized or

conducted, it shall deny the motion of the aggrieved person except to the extent that due

process requires discovery or disclosure.

(i) Finality of orders

Orders granting motions or requests under subsection (h) of this section, decisions

under this section that a physical search was not lawfully authorized or conducted, and orders

of the United States district court requiring review or granting disclosure of applications,

orders, or other materials relating to the physical search shall be final orders and binding

upon all courts of the United States and the several States except a United States Court of

Appeals or the Supreme Court.

(j) Notification of emergency execution of physical search; contents; postponement,

suspension or elimination

(1) If an emergency execution of a physical search is authorized under section

1824(d) of this title and a subsequent order approving the search is not obtained, the judge

shall cause to be served on any United States person named in the application and on such

other United States persons subject to the search as the judge may determine in his discretion

it is in the interests of justice to serve, notice of--

(A) the fact of the application;

(B) the period of the search; and

(C) the fact that during the period information was or was not obtained.

(2) On an ex parte showing of good cause to the judge, the serving of the notice

required by this subsection may be postponed or suspended for a period not to exceed 90

days. Thereafter, on a further ex parte showing of good cause, the court shall forego ordering

the serving of the notice required under this subsection.

(k)(1) Federal officers who conduct physical searches to acquire foreign intelligence

information under this title may consult with Federal law enforcement officers to coordinate

efforts to investigate or protect against—

(A) actual or potential attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or

an agent of a foreign power;

(B) sabotage or international terrorism by a foreign power or an agent of a

foreign power; or

(C) clandestine intelligence activities by an intelligence service or network of

a foreign power or by an agent of a foreign power.

(2) Coordination authorized under paragraph (1) shall not preclude the certification required

by section 303(a)(7) or the entry of an order under section 304.

§ 504(b)

Appendix

Amendments reflected in this document are as follows.

U.S. Code Title Section Amended As Amended by P.L. 107-56

Title 12 § 3414 Sec. 505(b)

Title 15 § 1681u Sec. 505(c)

Title 18 § 1030 Sec. 506(a)

§ 2709 Sec. 505(a)

§ 3056 Sec. 506(b)

Title 20 § 1232g Sec. 507

§ 9007 Sec. 508

Title 22 § 2708 Sec. 502(1)-(3)

Title 42 § 14135a Sec. 503

Title 50 § 1806 Sec. 504(a)

§ 1825 Sec. 504(b)

Section 501, Attorney General’s Authority to Pay Rewards to Combat Terrorism (18 U.S.C.

§ 3071 note), is not reflected in this document.

and more from the mouth of the FED. . .

How are the Chairman and members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors selected, and what is the term of office?

The seven members of the Board of Governors are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. By law, the appointments must yield a "fair representation of the financial, agricultural, industrial, and commercial interests and geographical divisions of the country," and no two Governors may come from the same Federal Reserve District.

The full term of a Governor is fourteen years; appointments are staggered so that one term expires on January 31 of each even-numbered year. A Governor who has served a full term may not be reappointed, but a Governor who was appointed to complete an unexpired term may be reappointed to a full fourteen-year term.

Once appointed, Governors may not be removed from office for their policy views. The lengthy terms and staggered appointments are intended to contribute to the insulation of the Board--and the Federal Reserve System as a whole--from day-to-day political pressures to which it might otherwise be subject. If all Governors serve full terms, a President would be able to appoint only two Governors during a four-year presidential term. Moreover, even a President reelected for a second term would not have appointed a majority of the Governors until late in the second term. In reality, many Governors do not complete their fourteen-year terms, and recent Presidents have averaged more than one appointment to the Board every two years.

As stipulated in the Banking Act of 1935, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board are chosen by the President from among the sitting Governors and must be confirmed by the Senate. They serve terms of four years and may be reappointed as Chairman or Vice Chairman until their terms as Governors expire. The Chairman serves as public spokesperson and representative of the Board and manager of the Board's staff and presides at Board meetings. Affirming the apolitical nature of the Board, recent Presidents representing both major political parties have selected the same person as Board Chairman.

Return to questions

Who are the current Board members?

List of current Board members.

What are the salaries of the Board members?

Congress sets the salaries of the Board members. For 2006, the Chairman's annual salary is $183,500. The annual salary of the other Board members (including the Vice Chairman) is $165,200.

Return to questions

How can I request to have a Board member speak at an event?

Write directly to the Board member, addressing him or her as "The Honorable." Because the Board receives many requests, please allow at least ten business days for a response. Requests may be faxed to 202-452-3819 or mailed to the following address:

Federal Reserve Board
20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20551

How can I send comments, suggestions, or requests to a Board member by e-mail?

Because of the many requests and suggestions received from the public, we cannot provide the individual e-mail addresses of the Board members.

How many employees work at the Board?

About 1,700 people work at the Board of Governors in Washington , D.C. For more information, see the Board's Annual Report: Budget Review on the Board's web site.

Is it legal for Board employees to own stock or to trade in the market?

Yes, generally. Board employees, and their spouses and minor children, are allowed to own or trade stock, except the stock of depository institutions or affiliates of such institutions. Also, employees who have ongoing access to the most sensitive Federal Open Market Committee information, and their spouses and minor children, may not own stock in primary government securities dealers or their affiliates, and they are restricted as to when they may buy and sell securities.

and yet even more from the mouth of the FED. . .

What are Federal Reserve Banks?

Federal Reserve Banks were established by Congress as the operating arms of the nation's central banking system. Many of the services provided to depository institutions and the federal government by this network of Reserve Banks are similar to services provided by commercial banks and thrift institutions to business customers and individuals.

Reserve Banks

  • hold the cash reserves of depository institutions and make loans to them
  • move currency and coin into and out of circulation, and collect and process millions of checks each day
  • provide checking accounts for the Treasury, issue and redeem government securities, and act in other ways as fiscal agent for the U.S. government
  • supervise and examine commercial banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System for safety and soundness
  • participate in the activity that is the primary responsibility of the Federal Reserve System, the setting of monetary policy.

More information

What is the relationship of the Board of Governors to the Federal Reserve Banks?

In public debate prior to passage of the Federal Reserve Act, some private-sector bankers expressed concern that a central bank governed by a Board of Governors appointed by the government would not be sufficiently responsive to the needs of the financial community. Certain agrarian interests, on the other hand, felt that an independent central bank would yield too much control over monetary affairs to the private banks. As a result, the Federal Reserve System was structured with two levels of authority--the Board of Governors, located in Washington, D.C., has a centralized and supervisory public influence over the Reserve Banks, while the individual Reserve Banks maintain narrower control over their own day-to-day operations.

Return to questions

How many Federal Reserve Banks are there, and where are they located?

There are twelve Federal Reserve Banks, one in each of the twelve Federal Reserve Districts (see map of the Federal Reserve System).

1st District--Boston
2nd District--New York
3rd District--Philadelphia
4th District--Cleveland
5th District--Richmond
6th District--Atlanta
7th District--Chicago
8th District--St. Louis
9th District--Minneapolis
10th District--Kansas City
11th District--Dallas
12th District--San Francisco

Do District boundaries follow state lines?

The District boundaries follow state lines, with some exceptions:

  • 1st District, Boston. Connecticut (excluding Fairfield County), Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
  • 2nd District, New York. New York State, twelve counties in northern New Jersey, Fairfield County in Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (District map)
  • 3rd District, Philadelpha. Eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware (District map)
  • 4th District, Cleveland. Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Kentucky, and the northern panhandle of West Virginia (District map)
  • 5th District, Richmond. Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and most of West Virginia (District map)
  • 6th District, Atlanta. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee (District map)
  • 7th District, Chicago. Iowa and most of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin
  • 8th District, St. Louis. Arkansas and portions of six other states: Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois (District map 99 KB PDF)
  • 9th District, Minneapolis. Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, twenty-six counties in northwestern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
  • 10th District, Kansas City. Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, northern New Mexico, and Western Missouri
  • 11th District, Dallas. Texas, northern Louisiana, and southern New Mexico
  • 12th District, San Francisco. Nine western states--Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington--and American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands

Return to questions

Why is there only one District for the West Coast and more Districts toward the East and Midwest?

The location of Federal Reserve District boundaries, and of the Banks within the Districts, was determined mostly by the geographic distribution of the U.S. population at the time the Federal Reserve System was created (1913), to accommodate local needs.

Over time, Branches of the Reserve Banks have been added to accommodate changing needs. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, for example, has four Branches--in Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles. (Map of Federal Reserve System (82 KB PDF) showing Districts, Banks, and Branches)

Are the Federal Reserve Banks private companies?

The Federal Reserve Banks, created by an act of Congress in 1913, are operated in the public interest rather than for profit or to benefit any private group.

Commercial banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System hold stock in the Reserve Bank in their region, but they do not exercise control over the Reserve Bank or the Federal Reserve System. Holding stock in a regional Reserve Bank does not carry with it the kind of control and financial interest that holding publicly traded stock affords, and the stock may not be sold or traded.  Member banks do, however, receive a fixed 6 percent dividend annually on their stock and elect six of the nine members of the Reserve Bank's board of directors.

Although they are set up like private corporations and member banks hold their stock, the Federal Reserve Banks owe their existence to an act of Congress and have a mandate to serve the public. Therefore, they are not really "private" companies, but rather are "owned" by the citizens of the United States.

Return to questions

How do Federal Reserve Banks differ from commercial banks?

Federal Reserve Banks are the fiscal agents for the U.S. Treasury, which means that they are the federal government's bank. The Reserve Banks offer many services to financial institutions, which makes them bankers' banks.

Who are the Federal Reserve Bank presidents?

Under the Federal Reserve Act, the president of a Federal Reserve Bank is the chief executive officer of the Bank. He or she is appointed by the Bank's board of directors, with the approval of the Board of Governors, for a term of five years.

The terms of the presidents of the twelve Reserve Banks run concurrently, ending on the last day of February in years ending with 1 and 6 (for example, 2001, 2006, and 2011). The appointment of a president who takes office after a term has begun ends with the end of that term. A Reserve Bank president may be reappointed after serving a full term or a partial term. Reserve Bank presidents are subject to mandatory retirement upon becoming 65 years of age. However, a president initially appointed after age 55 may, at the option of the Bank’s board of directors, serve until attaining ten years of service in the office or age 70, whichever comes first.

Current Reserve Bank presidents.

Are Federal Reserve Bank employees considered government employees?

No. Employees of the Federal Reserve Banks are not government employees. They are paid as part of the expenses of their employing Reserve Bank.

How many checks are processed by the Federal Reserve Banks?

Information on check processing and other Federal Reserve Bank activities is reported in the Board of Governor'Annual Report, Statistical Table 8, Operations in Principal Departments of the Federal Reserve Banks (117 KB PDF)

and this is yet even more from the mouth of the FED. . .

What is the Federal Open Market Committee, and what does it do?

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the monetary policymaking body of the Federal Reserve System. It is responsible for formulation of a monetary policy designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices, and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.

The FOMC sets monetary policy by specifying the short-term objective for open market operations--purchases and sales of U.S. government and federal agency securities. Open market operations, the principal tool of monetary policy, affect the provision of reserves to depository institutions and, in turn, the cost and availability of money and credit in the U.S. economy. Currently, the objective is a target level for the federal funds rate (the rate that depository institutions charge on overnight sales of immediately available funds among themselves).

The FOMC also directs Federal Reserve operations in foreign currencies; such operations are coordinated with the U.S. Treasury, which has responsibility for formulating U.S. policies regarding the exchange value of the dollar.

For more information on the FOMC, see Monetary Policy: Federal Open Market Committee and The Structure of the Federal Reserve System.

Return to questions

Who are the members of the FOMC?

The Federal Open Market Committee consists of twelve voting members: the seven members of the Board of Governors and five of the twelve Federal Reserve Bank presidents. The president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York serves on a continuous basis; the presidents of the other Reserve Banks serve one-year terms on a rotating basis beginning on January 1 of each year. The rotating seats are filled from the following four groups of Banks, one Bank president from each group: Boston, Philadelphia, and Richmond; Cleveland and Chicago; Atlanta, St. Louis, and Dallas; and Minneapolis, Kansas City, and San Francisco.

All of the Reserve Bank presidents, even those who are not currently voting members, attend FOMC meetings, participate in the discussions, and contribute to the assessment of the economy and of policy options.

Current members of the FOMC.

When is the next FOMC meeting?

Please see the current FOMC meetings calendar.

Does the FOMC make public its objectives for monetary policy?

Yes, a statement is released at about 2:15 p.m. on the final day of each FOMC meeting. The disclosure policy has evolved over the years as the FOMC has sought to provide more information on its views on economic activity and risks to the outlook.

  • From 1994 through 1998, a written statement was released whenever the FOMC changed interest rates.
  • In 1995, the statement began to include the objective for the federal funds rate.
  • In late 1998, the FOMC began releasing a statement immediately after certain meetings when the stance of monetary policy remained unchanged but the Committee nonetheless wanted to communicate to the public a major shift in its views about the balance of risks or the likely direction of future policy.
  • Since February 2000, the FOMC has issued a statement after each meeting. That statement has usually included language that describes the Committee's judgment about the risks to the attainment of its long-run goals of price stability and sustainable economic growth.
  • Since March 2002, the statement has included each member's vote on monetary policy decisions.

FOMC statements and minutes

Return to questions

Why are some FOMC meetings scheduled for two days?

The FOMC meets eight times a year, usually for one day. The meetings in January-February and June-July are two-day meetings. At the two-day meetings, the FOMC members and the nonvoting Federal Reserve Bank presidents provide individual, longer-run projections of the real and nominal growth of the gross domestic product, the rate of unemployment, and the rate of inflation for the current year and the year ahead. The central tendencies of the projections are included in the Monetary Policy Report delivered to Congress each February and July. At the two-day meetings, the FOMC also considers longer-run strategies for monetary policy and, at the first meeting of the year, deals with administrative matters.

Are minutes and transcripts of FOMC meetings available?

Yes. The minutes of each FOMC meeting are released to the public on the Thursday following the next regularly scheduled meeting. The lag between a meeting and the release of the minutes is about six weeks. Transcripts of meetings for an entire year are released to the public with a five-year lag.

ITS YOUR MONEY !!!!

Federal Reserve Notes declared Un-Constitutional . . .

FEDERAL RESERVE NOTES
DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL
NULL AND VOID BY THE COURT


MARTIN V. MAHONEY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
CREDIT RIVER TOWNSHIP SCOTT COUNTY, MINNESOTA




line

On January 6, 1969 this Court filed a Notice of Refusal to Allow Appeal with the Clerk at the District Court, Hugo L. Hentges, for the County of Scott and the State of Minnesota, which is as follows:


NOTICE OF REFUSAL TO ALLOW APPEAL

TO: Hugo L. Hentges, Clerk of District Court, Plaintiff, First National Bank of Montgomery and Defendant Jerome Daly:

You will Please take Notice that the undersigned Justice of the Peace, Martin V. Mahoney, hereby, pursuant to law, refuses to allow the Appeal in the above entitled action, and refuses to make an entry of such allowance in the undersigned's Docket. The undersigned also refuses to file in the office of the clerk of the District Court in and for Scott County, Minnesota, a transcript of all the entries made in my Docket, together with all process and other papers relating to the action and filed with me as Justice of the Peace. The undersigned concludes and determines that M.S.A. 532.38 was not complied with within 10 days after entry of Judgment in my Justice of the Peace Court Subdivision 4 thereof requires that $2.00 shall be paid within 10 days to the Clerk of the District Court for the use of the Justice before whom the cause was tried. Two so-called "One Dollar" Federal Reserve Notes issued by the Federal Reserve Bank at San Francisco L1278283C and Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Serial No. 18041C697A were deposited with the Clerk of the District Court to be tendered to me.

These Federal Reserve Notes are not lawful money within the contemplation of the Constitution of the United States and are null and void. Further, the Notes on their face are not redeemable in Gold or Silver Coin nor is there a fund set aside anywhere for the redemption of said Notes.

However, this is a determination of a question of Law and Fact by the undersigned pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota. Plaintiff is entitled to be accorded full due process of Law before the Court in this present determination not to allow the Appeal.

If Plaintiff will file a brief on the Law and the Facts with this Court within 10 days, or if Plaintiff will file an application for a full and complete hearing before this Court on the determination, a prompt hearing will be set and if Plaintiff can satisfy this Court that said Notes are lawful money issued in pursuance of and under the authority of the Constitution of the United States of America the undersigned will stand ready and willing to reverse himself in this determination.

TAKE NOTICE AND GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY.

Dated January 6, 1969

BY THE COURT
/s/ Martin V. Mahoney
MARTIN V. MAHONEY
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
CREDIT RIVER TOWNSHIP
SCOTT COUNTY, MINNESOTA


line

MEMO

I am bound by oath to support the Constitution of the United States and laws passed pursuant thereto and the Constitution and Laws of Minnesota not in conflict therewith. This is an important Case to both parties and involves issues, apparently, not previously decided before. It is also important to the public. The Clerk of the District Court is an officer of the Judicial Branch of the State of Minnesota. His act is the Act of the State. U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 10 provides "No State Shall make any Thing but Gold and Silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts." The tender of the two Federal Reserve Notes runs counter to the fundamental Law of the land, the Constitution of the United States of America. It appears on the face of it that the Notes are ineffectual for any purpose and that I am not justified in taking any steps toward the allowance of an Appeal in this case.

It is, however, the Order of this Court that the parties are entitled to a full hearing before this Court, and, if requested a full hearing will be granted.

Dated January 6, 1969

BY THE COURT
/s/ Martin V. Mahoney
MARTIN V. MAHONEY
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
CREDIT RIVER TOWNSHIP
SCOTT COUNTY, MINNESOTA


line

Minnesota Statutes Annotated 532.38 required that the Appellant, First National Bank of Montgomery deposit with the Clerk of the District Court within ten (10) days, Two ($2.00) Dollars (lawful money of the United States) for payment to the Justice of the Peace before whom the cause was tried. This is one of the conditions for the allowance of an appeal.

Two One ($1.00) Dollar Federal Reserve Notes were deposited with the Clerk of the District Court. One was issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, bearing Serial No. L12782836 and the other on deposit was issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis bearing Serial No. 180410697A.

This Court determined that said Notes on their face were contrary to Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution of the United States and also based upon the evidence deduced at the hearing on December 7, 1968, the Notes were without any lawful consideration and therefore were void; however, this Court indicated it would give the Plaintiff, First National Bank of Montgomery, a full and complete hearing with reference to this issue.

No hearing was requested by Plaintiff, First National Bank. This Court was ordered to show cause before the District Court. The Order to Show Cause is as follows:

 

IN DISTRICT COURT STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF SCOTT
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT


First National Bank 
    of Montgomery, Minnesota,
           Plaintiff,
          vs.
Jerome Daly,
           Defendant.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

On reading the application for an Order attached hereto, and on Motion and Affidavit of Theodore R. Melby, Attorney for Plaintiff, due showing having been made that an exigency exists.

IT IS ORDERED, that Martin V. Mahoney, Justice of the Peace, Credit River Township, County of Scott, State of Minnesota, appear in person before the above Court at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 17, 1969, at the Special Term of Court of Scott, State of Minnesota or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard to show cause why he should not file in the office of the Clerk of District Court, First Judicial District, County of Scott, State of Minnesota, a transcript of all the entries made in his docket, together with all process and other papers relating to the above identified cause of action in his possession or the possession of any other Justice of the Peace of the State of Minnesota.

LET THIS ORDER APPLICATION FOR ORDER, AFFIDAVIT, all heretofore attached, be served on Martin V. Mahoney by leaving with him copies of the same and exhibiting this original ORDER with the signature of the Judge of District Court hereto, affixed, service to be made forthwith.

Dated at Shakopee, Minnesota this 8th day of January, 1969.

BY THE COURT /s/ Harold E. Flynn Judge of District Court, Therefore, upon Motion of Defendant Jerome Daly, this Court ordered a hearing before this Court on January 22, 1969 at 7:00 p.m.. The First National Bank of Montgomery made no appearance although service of the Motion and Order was served upon Ralph Hendrickson, its Cashier on January 20, 1969. No continuance was requested by Plaintiff or its Attorney. The Defendant appeared by and on behalf of himself. After waiting for one hour for the Bank or its representative to appear the Court received the testimony of Defendant bearing upon the issue of the validity of the Federal Reserve Notes. Now, Therefore based upon all the files, records and proceedings herein and the evidence offered, this Court makes the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Judgment and Determination with reference to the allowance of an appeal.

 

FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, JUDGMENT AND DETERMINATION.
  1. That the Federal Reserve Banking Corporation, is a United States Corporation with twelve (12) banks throughout the United States, including New York, Minneapolis and San Francisco. That the First National Bank of Montgomery is also a United States Corporation incorporated and existing under the laws of the United States and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, and more specifically, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

  2. That because of the interlocking control activities, transactions and practices, the Federal Reserve Banks and the National Banks are for all practical purposes, in the law, one and the same bank.

  3. As is evidenced from the book: "The Federal Reserve System; Its Purposes and Functions,"; (1st Ed.) pages 74 to 78 and 177 and 180, put out by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 1963, and from other evidence adduced herein, the said Federal Reserve Banks and National Banks create money and credit upon their books and exercise the ultimate prerogative of expanding and reducing the supply of money or credit in the United States. See especially page 75 of the Manual.

This creation of money or credit upon the Books of the Banks constitutes the creation of fiat money by bookkeeping entry.

Ninety per cent or more of the credit never leaves the books of the Banks as the Banks produce no specie as backing.

When the Federal Reserve Banks and National Banks acquire United States Bonds and Securities, State Bonds and Securities, State Subdivision Bonds and Securities, mortgages on private Real property and mortgages on private personal property, the said banks create the money and credit upon their books by bookkeeping entry. The first time that the money comes into existence is when they create it on their bank books by bookkeeping entry. The banks create it out of nothing. No substantial fund of gold or silver is back of it, or any fund at all.

The mechanics followed in the acquisition of United States Bonds are as follows: The Federal Reserve Bank places its name on a United States Bond and goes to its banking books and credits the United States Government for an equal amount of the face value of the bonds. The money or credit first comes into existence when they create it on the books of the bank. National Banks do the same except they must have One ($1.00) Dollar in Credit on hand for every Four ($4.00) Dollars they create.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis obtains Federal Reserve Notes in denominations of One ($1.00) Dollar, Five, Ten, Twenty, Fifty, One Hundred, Five Hundred, One Thousand, Ten Thousand, and One Hundred Thousand Dollars for the cost of the printing of each note, which is less than one cent. The Federal Reserve Bank must deposit with the Treasurer of the United States a like amount of Bonds for the Notes it receives. The Bonds are without lawful consideration, as the Federal Reserve Bank created the money and credit upon their books by which they acquired the Bond. With their bookkeeping created credit, National Banks obtain these notes from the Federal Reserve banks.

The net effect of the entire transaction is that the Federal Reserve Bank and the National Banks obtain Federal Reserve Notes comparable to the ones they placed on file with the Clerk of District Court, and a specimen of which is above, for the cost of printing only. Title 31 U.S.C., Section 462 (392) attempts to make Federal Reserve Notes a legal tender for all debts, public and private. See page 72. From 1913 down to date, the Federal Reserve Banks and the National Banks are privately owned. As of March 18, 1968, all gold backing is removed from the said Federal Reserve Notes. No gold or silver backs up these notes.

The Federal Reserve Notes in question in this case are unlawful and void upon the following grounds.

  1. Said Notes are fiat money, not redeemable in gold or silver coin upon their face, not backed by gold or silver, and the notes are in want of some real or substantial fund being provided for their payment in redemption. There is no mode provided for enforcing the payment of the same. There is no mode provided for the enforcement of the payment of the Notes in anything of value.

  2. The Notes are obviously not gold or silver coin.

  3. The sole consideration paid for the One Dollar Federal Reserve Notes is in the neighborhood of nine-tenths of one cent, and therefore, there is no lawful consideration behind said Notes.

  4. That said Federal Reserve Notes do not conform to Title 12, United States Code, Sections 411 and 418. Title 31 USC, Section 462 (392), insofar as it attempts to make Federal Reserve Notes and circulating Notes of Federal Reserve Banks and National Banking Associations a legal tender for all debts, public and private, it is unconstitutional and void, being contrary to Article I, Section 10, of the Constitution of the United States, which prohibits any State from making anything but gold and silver coin a tender, or impairing the obligation of contracts.

Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me pursuant to the Declaration of Independence, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota,

It is hereby DETERMINED, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED, that the Appeals Statutes of the State of Minnesota for Civil Appeals from the Court to the District Court is not complied with within 10 days after entry of Judgement. Therefore the Appeal is not allowed by this Court and my docket so shows.

Dated February 5, 1969

BY THE COURT
/s/ Martin V. Mahoney
MARTIN V. MAHONEY
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
CREDIT RIVER TOWNSHIP
SCOTT COUNTY MINNESOTA


line

MEMORANDUM

The division and separation of the three great powers of government, the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial and the principle that these powers should be forever kept separate and distinct as of vital importance to the maintenance and establishment of a free government, without which this Republic cannot possibly survive.

The particular wording of the Declaration of Independence which set up an obsolete cut off with the British form of Government is contained in the first two paragraphs thereof.

Thereafter the Constitution was ordained and established as a law for the government by the People of the United States.

All legislative powers granted are vested in the Congress of the United States consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate elected as representatives of all the people.

"Judicial Power" is defined in Black's Law Dictionary as the authority vested by Courts and Judges, as distinguished from the Executive and Legislative power.

"Cases and Controversies" is defined in Blacks' Law Dictionary - "This term as used in the Constitution of the United States embraces claims or contentions of litigants brought before the Court for adjudication by regular proceedings for the protection of wrongs; and whenever the claim or contention of a party takes such a form that the Judicial Power is capable of acting upon it, it has become a case or controversy." See Interstate Commerce Commission vs. Brimson, 154 U.S. 447, 14 Sup. Crt. 1125, 38 Law Ed. 1047; Smith vs. Adams, 130 U.S. 1679, 32 L.Ed.. 895.

Under our form of government every American, individually or by representation, is the high and supreme sovereign authority. The authority at each of the three departments of government is defined and established.

It is entirely fitting and proper to observe that in all instances between the states and the United States, and the people, there is no such thing as the idea of a compact between the people on one side and the government on the other. The compact is that of the people with each other to produce and constitute a government.

To suppose that any government can be a party to a compact with the whole people, is supposing it to have an existence before it can have a right to exist.

The only instance in which a compact can take place between the people and those who exercise the government, is that the people shall pay them while they choose to employ them.

A Constitution is the property of the nation and more specifically of the individual, and not those who exercise the government. All the Constitutions of America are declared to be established in the authority of the people.

The authority of the Constitution is grounded upon the absolute, God-given free agency of each individual, and this is the basis of all powers granted, reserved or withheld in the authorization of every word, phrase, clause or paragraph of the Constitution. Any attempt by Congress, the President or the Courts to limit, change or enlarge even the most claimed insignificant provision is therefore ultra vires and void ab initio.

When considering the United States Constitution, one must absolutely and completely clear his mind of all British, monarchical, papal, clergical, continental, financial, or other alien influences or conceptions of government the rights of the individual and what is Constitutional.

Our Constitution stands absolute and alone.

It must be read in the light of all engagements entered into before its adoption including the Declaration of Independence and the privileges and immunities secured by Common Law confirmed by Magna Charta and other English Charters, excepting there from all clerical, papal and monarchical nonsense.

No one applying the Constitution to any situation has any business, right or duty to look in any direction for sovereignty but toward the people. Any attempt or inclination to do so is a violation of one's oath and continuing duty to uphold, maintain and support the Constitution of the United States of America.

See Waring vs. Mayor of Savannah, 60 Georgia, Page 93, where it is quoted as follows:

"In this State as well as in all republics, it is not the Legislature, however transcendent its powers, who are supreme - but the people - and to suppose that they may violate the fundamental law, is, as has been most eloquently expressed, to affirm that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above his master, that the representatives of the people are superior to the people themselves; that men acting by virtue of delegated power may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid."

The law is made by the Legislature, but applied by the Courts.

See generally Mr. Justice Story's commentaries on the Constitution found in Story on the Constitution, Vol. 1, Section 198 through 280 on the History of the Revolution and the Confederation, origin of the Confederation, analysis of the Articles of the Confederation and the Decline and Fall of the Confederation including the reasons for it, which in chief was a debasement of our money and currency by the banks, similar to what is taking place in the United States today.

For authority to support the proposition that an Act of Congress in violation of the Constitution confers no rights or privileges see 16 Am. Jur. 2d "Constitutional Law,"; Sections 177 thru 179

Article I, Section 10 of the United States Constitution provides that no State shall make any Thing but gold and silver coin a legal tender in payment of debts.

The act of the Clerk of the District Court is the act of the State. The Clerk of the District Court is the agent of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the State of Minnesota. See Briscoe et al vs. The Bank of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 11 Peters Reports at Page 319, "A State can act only through its agents; and it would be absurd to say that any act was not done by a State which was done by its authorized agents."

For the Justice Fees the bank deposited with the Clerk of District Court the two Federal Reserve Notes. The Clerk tendered the Notes to me. My sworn duty compelled me to refuse the tender. This is contrary to the Constitution of the United States. The States have no power to make bank notes a legal tender. See 35 Amer. Jur. on Money, Section 13. Only gold and silver coin is a lawful tender.

See also 36 Am. Jur. on Money, Section 9. Bank Notes are a good tender on money unless specifically objected to. Their consent and usage is based upon the convertibility of such notes to coin at the pleasure of the holder upon presentation to the bank for redemption. When the inability of a bank to redeem its notes is openly avowed they instantly lose their character as money and their circulation as currency ceases.

There is also no lawful consideration for these notes to circulate as money. The banks actually obtained these notes for the cost of the printing. There is no lawful consideration for said Notes.

A lawful consideration must exist for these Notes to circulate as money. The banks actually obtained these notes for the cost of the printing. There is no lawful consideration for said Notes.

A lawful consideration must exist for a Note. See 17 Amer. Jur. 2d on Contracts, Section 85 and also Sections 215, 216 and 217 of 11 Amer. Jur. 2nd on Bills and Notes. As a matter of fact, the "Notes"; are not Notes at all as they contain no promise to pay.

The activity of the Federal Reserve Banks of Minneapolis, San Francisco and the First National Bank of Montgomery is contrary to public policy and the Constitution of the United States and constitutes an unlawful creation of money and credit is not warranted by the Constitution of the United States.

The Federal Reserve and National Banks exercise an exclusive monopoly and privilege of creating credit and issuing their Notes at the expense of the public, which does not receive a fair equivalent. This scheme is obliquely designed for the benefit of an idle monopoly to rob, blackmail and oppress the producers of wealth.

The Federal Reserve Act and the National Bank Act is in its operation and effect contrary to the whole letter and spirit of the Constitution of the United States, confers an unlawful and unnecessary power on private parties; holds all of our fellow citizens in dependence; is subversive to the rights and liberties of the people. It has defied the lawfully constituted Government of the United States. The Federal Reserve and National Banking Acts and Sec. 462 (392) of Title 31, U.S.C. are not necessary and proper for carrying into execution the legislative powers granted to Congress or any other powers vested in the Government of the United States, but, on the contrary, are subversive to the rights of the People in their rights to life, liberty and Property. The aforementioned acts of Congress are unconstitutional and void and I so hold.

The meaning of the Constitutional provision "No State Shall make any Thing but Gold and Silver Coin a tender in payment of debts" is direct, clear, unambiguous and without any qualification. This Court is without authority to interpolate any exception. My duty is simple to execute it, as written, and to pronounce the legal result. From an examination of the case of Edwards v. Kearzev, 96 U.S. 595, the Federal Reserve Notes (fiat money), which are attempted to be made a legal tender, are exactly what the authors of the Constitution of the United States intended to prohibit. No State can make these Notes a legal tender, are exactly what the authors of the Constitution of the United States intended to prohibit. No State can make these Notes a legal tender. Congress is incompetent to authorize a State to make the Notes a legal tender. For the effect of binding Constitutional provisions see Cooke v. Iverson, 108 M. 388 and State v. Sutton, 63 M. 147. This fraudulent Federal Reserve System and National Banking System has impaired the obligation of Contract, promoted disrespect for the Constitution and Law and has shaken society to its foundations.

The Court is at a loss, because of the non-appearance of Plaintiff to determine upon what legal theory Plaintiff could possibly claim that the Notes in question are a legal tender. If they have any validity it must come from the Constitution of the United States and laws passed pursuant thereto. Inquiry was made of Mr. Daly as to what laws these Notes could be possibly based upon to sustain their validity. To aid the Court he presented the following: Section 411, 412, 417, 418, 420 of USC Title 12 and Title 31, USC Sec. 462 (392).

On the one hand Section 411 holds and states that the Notes are to be used for the purpose of making advances to Federal Reserve Banks through Federal Reserve Agents and for no other purposes. Then Title 31, Section 462 (392) states: "All Federal Reserve Notes and circulating Notes of Federal Reserve Banks and National Banking Associations heretofore or hereafter issued, shall be legal tender for all debts public and private."

The Constitution states, "No State shall make any Thing but Gold and Silver Coin a legal tender in payment of debts." The above referred to enactments of Congress state that the Notes are a legal tender. There is a direct conflict between the Constitution and the Acts of Congress. If the Constitution is not controlling then Congress is above and has superior authority from the Constitution and the People who ordained and established it.

Title 31 USC, Section 462 (392) is in direct conflict with the Constitution insofar at least, that it attempts to make Federal Reserve Notes a Legal Tender, the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land. Sec. 462 (392) is not a law which is made in pursuance of the U.S. Constitution. It is unconstitutional and void and I so hold. Therefore, the two Federal Reserve Notes are null and void for any lawful purpose so far as this case is concerned and are not a valid deposit of $2.00 with the Clerk of the District Court. I hold that the case has not been lawfully removed from the Court and jurisdiction thereof is still vested in the Court.

However; there is a second ground of invalidity of these Federal Reserve Notes previously discussed and that is the Notes are invalid because on no theory are they based upon a valid, adequate or lawful consideration.

At the hearing scheduled for January 22, 1969 at 7:00 p.m., Mr. Morgan, nor anyone else from or representing the Bank, attended to aid the Court in making a correct determination.

Mr. Morgan appeared at the trial on December 7, 1969 and appeared as a witness to be candid, open, direct, experienced and truthful. He testified to 20 years of experience with the Bank of America in Los Angeles, the Marquette National Bank of Minneapolis and the Plaintiff in this case. He seemed to be familiar with the operations of the Federal Reserve System. He freely admitted that his Bank created all of the money or credit upon its books with which it acquired the Note and Mortgage of May 8, 1964. The credit first came into existence when the Bank created it upon its books. Further he freely admitted that no United States Law gave the bank the authority to do this. There was obviously no lawful consideration for the Note. The Bank parted with absolutely nothing except a little ink. In this case the evidence was on January 22, 1969 that the Federal Reserve Banks obtain the Notes for the cost of the printing only. This seems to be confirmed by Title 12 USC, Section 420. The cost is about 9/10ths of a cent per Note, regardless of the amount of the Note. The Federal Reserve Banks create all of the Money and Credit upon their books by bookkeeping entry by which they acquire United States and State Securities. The collateral required to obtain the Notes is, by Section 412, USC, Title 12, a deposit of a like amount of Bonds, Bonds which the Banks acquired by creating money and credit by bookkeeping entry.

No rights can be acquired by fraud. The Federal Reserve Notes are acquired through the use of unconstitutional statutes and fraud.

The Common Law requires a lawful consideration for any Contract or Note. These Notes are void for failure of a lawful consideration at Common Law, entirely apart from any Constitutional Considerations upon this ground the Notes are ineffectual for any purpose. This seems to be the principal objection to paper fiat money and the cause of its depreciation and failure down through the ages. If allowed to continue Federal Reserve Notes will meet the same fate. From the evidence introduced on January 22, 1969, this Court finds that as of March 18, 1968 all Gold and Silver backing is removed from Federal Reserve Notes.

The law leaves wrongdoers where it finds them. See 1 Amer. Jur. 2nd on Actions, Sections 50, 51 and 52.

This Court further observes that the jurisdiction of the Court is conferred by Article 6, Sec. 1 of the Minnesota Constitution. "Sec. 1. The judicial power of the state is hereby vested in a Supreme Court, a District Court, a Probate Court and such other Courts, minor judicial officers and commissioners with jurisdiction inferior to the District Court as the legislative may establish." Pursuant thereto an Act of the legislature credited this Court.

Nothing on the Constitution or laws of the United States limits the jurisdiction of this Court. The Constitution of Minnesota does not limit the jurisdiction of this Court. It therefore has complete Jurisdiction to render justice in this cause in accordance with and agreeable to the Supreme Law of the Land. See 16 Am. Jur. 2d on Constitutional Law Sections 210 thru 222.

"When a Court is created by Act of the Legislature the Judicial Power is conferred by the Constitution and not by the Act creating the Court. If its Jurisdiction is to be limited it must be limited by the Constitution." See Minn, Const. "Bill of Rights."; In any event the Banks has not raised any question as to the jurisdiction of this Court.

Slavery and all its incidents including Peonage thralldom and debt created by fraud is universally prohibited in the United States. This case represents but another refined form of Slavery by the Bankers. Their position is not supported by the Constitution of the United States. The People have spoken their will in terms which cannot be misunderstood. It is indispensable to the preservation of the Union and independence and liberties of the people that his Court adhere only to the mandates of the Constitution and administer it as written. I therefore hold the Notes in question void and not effectual for any purpose.

January 30, 1969

/s/ Martin V. Mahoney
MARTIN V. MAHONEY
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
CREDIT RIVER TOWNSHIP
SCOTT COUNTY, MINNESOTA


line

NOTE:

The Defendant, (Attorney) Jerome Daley, shortly after the above Court declared the above decision, again brought the issue of the Federal Reserve Notes before the Courts. On Appeal to a Federal Court; the Federal Judicial Officers publicly ridiculed Mr. Daley for challenging the validity of the Notes of the Federal Reserve Bank and had Mr. Daley "disbarred"; from practicing law (United States v. Jerome Daly, 481 F.2d. 28). This "act" of our Federal Judicial Officers to "disbar" a fellow member of the "Bar" for questioning the validity of the monetary system of the United States raises the question as to who the Federal Judicial Officers are employed by? It is obvious that they are employed by the International Banking Cartels; NOT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

 

The truth about U.S. Money. AKA "Federal Reserve Notes."

The latest non-redeemable Federal Reserve System "Federal Reserve Note".

Why a Federal Reserve Note isn't worth a Dollar.

This article is a layman's overview of United States money;
it is not intended to be an in-depth scholarly review, but it is fairly comprehensive.

Gresham's law, observation in economics that "bad money drives out good." If two coins have the same nominal value, but are made from metals of unequal value, the cheaper will tend to drive the other out of circulation. Sir Thomas Gresham, financial agent of Queen Elizabeth I, was not the first to recognize this monetary principle, but his elucidation of it in 1558 prompted the economist H. D. Macleod to suggest the term "Gresham's law" in the 19th century.
New Encyclopaedia Britannica, Micropaedia (1998), V. 5, p. 489.

I heard about Gresham's Law years ago, but never really thought about its practical effects.

One day, I found a "real" [pre-1965] 90%-silver quarter in my change. And what did I do with it? I immediately withdrew it from circulation and stashed it! And why did I do that? Well, because it was WORTH a little more than twenty-five cents because of the increase in the intrinsic value of its silver content.

If we accept the premise that any piece of metal having a "face value" (declared or defined worth) greater than its actual intrinsic value is a "token" [bus token, subway token, toilet-stall token, etc.]; then the "quarter dollar" token (the current cupro-nickel "clad" or "sandwich" quarter) [bad money] has sucessfully driven the 90%-silver quarter dollar [good money] out of circulation. How? Because almost everyone has done exactly what I had done:
we remove the remaining good money from circulation because we recognize its intrinsic value and save it; and leave the less valuable [or worthless] tokens to circulate. We have done exactly the same thing with silver dimes, silver half-dollars, and silver dollars.
That is also what we have done with the circulating FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE paper currency (scrip or bills of credit?) we have been brainwashed into calling 'dollars': you won't often see a circulating United States Note, Silver Certificate, or Gold Certificate.
So while, on one hand, we are all "ripping off" one another each time we exchange a FRN; on the other hand, the members of the private FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM are knowingly, willfully, and systematically cheating ALL of us each and every day.

As you may have guessed, I am a "Hard-money" proponent; I want my money to have intrinsic value at least equal to its face value.


Once upon a time, in these United States of America, we actually had REAL money, i.e., money which was, in and of itself, both a measure of, and a unit of, value.

For example, from Bouvier's Law Dictionary (1856):

DOLLAR, money. A silver coin of the United States of the value of one hundred cents, or tenth part of an eagle.

EAGLE, money. A gold coin of the United States, of the value of ten dollars. It weighs two hundred and fifty-eight grains. Of one thousand parts, nine hundred are of pure gold, and one hundred of alloy. Act of January 18, 1837, 4 Sharsw. Cont. of Story's L. U. S. 2523, 4. Vide Money.

MONEY. Gold, silver, and some other less precious metals, in the progress of civilization and commerce, have become the common standards of value; in order to avoid the delay and inconvenience of regulating their weight and quality whenever passed, the governments of the civilized world have caused them to be manufactured in certain portions, and marked with a Stamp which attests their value; this is called money. 1 Inst. 207; 1 Hale's Hist. 188; 1 Pardess. n. 22; Dom. Lois civ. liv. prel. t. 3, s. 2, n. 6.

. . .

3. The constitution of the United States has vested in congress the power "to coin money, and regulate the value thereof." Art. 1, s. 8.

4. By virtue of this constitutional authority, the following provisions have been enacted by congress.

1. Act of April 2, 1792, 1 Story's L. U. S. 229.

1. 9. That there shall be from time to time, struck and coined at the said mint, coins of gold, silver, and copper, of the following denominations, values, and descriptions, viz: Eagles; each to be of the value of ten dollars, or units, and to contain two hundred and forty-seven grains and four-eighths of a grain of pure, or two hundred and seventy grains of standard, gold. Half eagles; each to be of the value of five dollars, and to contain one hundred and twenty-three grains and six-eighths of a pure, or one hundred and thirty-five grains of standard gold. Quarter eagles; each to be of the value of two dollars and a half dollar, and to contain sixty-one grains and seven-eighths of a grain of pure, or sixty-seven grains and four-eighths of a grain of standard gold. Dollars, or units; each to be of the value of a Spanish milled dollar, as the same is now current, and to contain three hundred and seventy-one grains and four-sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or four hundred and sixteen grains of standard silver. Half dollars; each to be of half the value of the dollar or unit, and to contain one hundred and eighty-five grains and ten-sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or two hundred and eight grains of standard, silver. Quarter dollars; each to be of one-fourth the value of the dollar, or unit, and to contain ninety-two grains and thirteen-sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or one hundred and four grains of standard, silver. Dimes; each to be of the value of one-tenth of a dollar, or unit, and to contain thirty-seven grains and two sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or forty-one grains and three-fifth parts of a grain of standard, silver. Half dimes; each to be of the value of one-twentieth of dollar, and to contain eighteen grains and nine-sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or twenty grains and four-fifth parts of a grain of standard, silver. Cents; each to be of the value of the one-hundredth part of a dollar, and to contain eleven pennyweights of copper. Half cents; each to be of the value of half a cent, and to contain five pennyweights and, a half a pennyweight of copper.

5. - 10. That upon the said coins, respectively, there shall be the following devises and legends, namely: Upon one side of each of the said coins there shall be an impression emblematic of liberty, with an inscription of the word liberty, and the year of the coinage; and, upon the reverse of each of the gold and silver coins, there shall be the figure or representation of an eagle, with this inscription, "United States of America:" and, upon the reverse of each of the copper coins there shall be an inscription which shall express the denomination of the piece, namely, cent or half cent, as the case may require.

6. - 11. That the proportional value of gold to silver in all coins which shall, by law, be current as money within the United States, shall be as fifteen to one, according to quantity in weight, of pure gold or pure silver; that is to say, every fifteen pounds weight of pure silver shall be of equal value in all payments, with one pound weight of pure gold; and so in proportion, as to any greater or less quantities of the respective metals.

7. - 12. That the standard for all gold coins of the United States, shall be eleven parts fine to one part alloy: and accordingly, that eleven parts in twelve, of the entire weight of each of the said coins, shall consist of pure gold, and the remaining one-twelfth part of alloy; and the said alloy shall be composed of silver and copper in such proportions, not exceeding one-half silver, as shall be found convenient; to be regulated by the director of the mint for the time being, With the approbation of the president of the United States, until further provision shall be made by law. And to the end that the necessary information may be had in order to the making of such further provision, it shall be the duty of the director of the mint, at the expiration of a year after commencing the operations of the said mint, to report to congress the practice thereof during the said year, touching the composition of the alloy of the said gold coins, the reasons for such practice, and the experiments and observations which shall have been made concerning the effects of different proportions of silver and copper in the said alloy.

8. - 13. That the standard for all silver coins of the United States, shall be one thousand four hundred and eighty-five parts fine to one hundred and seventy-nine parts alloy; and, accordingly, that one thousand four hundred and eighty-five parts in one thousand six hundred and sixty-four parts, of the entire weight of each of the said coins, shall consist of pure silver, and the remaining one hundred and seventy nine parts of alloy, which alloy shall be wholly of copper.

9. - 2. Act of June 28, 1834, 4 Sharsw. Cont. of Story's Laws U. S. 2376. 1. That the gold coins of the United States shall contain the following quantities of metal, that is to say: each eagle shall contain two hundred and thirty-two grains of pure gold, and two hundred and fifty-eight grains of standard gold; each half-eagle, one hundred and sixteen grains of pure gold, and one hundred and twenty-nine grains of standard gold; each quarter eagle shall contain fifty-eight grains of pure gold, and sixty-four and a half grains of standard gold; every such eagle shall be of the value of ten dollars; every such half eagle shall be of the value of five dollars; and every such quarter eagle shall be of the value of two dollars and fifty cents; and the said gold coins shall be receivable in all payments, when of full weight, according to their respective values; and when of less than full weight, at less values, proportioned to their respective actual weights. ...

Wouldn't you think that the National Institute of Standards and Technology would have a physical THING called the Standard Dollar that they could point to, pick up, show around, and say, "Yep, this is a Dollar."? OK; try to find it, I couldn't.

What I did find is Title 31, United States Code Annotated (2004), section 5102:

The standard troy pound of the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce shall be the standard used to ensure that the weight of United States coins conforms to specifications in section 5112 of this title.

Then I looked at 31 U.S.C.A. (2004), section 5112, which reads (in part):

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury may mint and issue only the following coins:
(1) a dollar coin that is 1.043 inches in diameter.
(2) a half dollar coin that is 1.205 inches in diameter and weighs 11.34 grams.
(3) a quarter dollar coin that is 0.955 inch in diameter and weights 5.67 grams.
(4) a dime coin that is 0.705 inch in diameter and weighs 2.268 grams.
(5) a 5-cent coin that is 0.835 inch in diameter and weighs 5 grams.
(6) except as provided under subsection (c) of this section, a one-cent coin that is 0.75 inch in diameter and weighs 3.11 grams.
(7) A fifty dollar gold coin that is 32.7 millimeters in diameter, weighs 33.931 grams, and contains one troy ounce of fine gold.
(8) A twenty-five dollar gold coin that is 27.0 millimeters in diameter, weighs 16.966 grams, and contains one-half troy ounce of fine gold.
(9) A ten dollar gold coin that is 22.0 millimeters in diameter, weighs 8.483 grams, and contains one-fourth troy ounce of fine gold.
(10) A five dollar gold coin that is 16.5 millimeters in diameter, weighs 3.393 grams, and contains one-tenth troy ounce of fine gold.
(b). . .

Did you notice that the dollar coin in 31 U.S.C.A. 5112(a)(1) is the only coin that has no weight attributed to it?

At the beginning of our Nation.

A Caveat Against Injustice Roger Sherman's Argument against State-issued Bills of Credit (1752)

During The Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress authorized the printing of paper "money" called "Continentals", which depreciated in perceived value [inflated] so quickly and so badly that, soon, they were "not worth a Continental". There are rumors on the Internet which I cannot verify that Britain 'helped' depreciate the Continental by infusing thousands of counterfeit Continentals into America.

A typical "Continental".

During the pre- and post-Revolutionary War periods, the Colonies and these United States of America chose to use Spanish and Mexican Reales [called "Pieces of Eight"] as a currency, partly because they did not yet have their own coinage; because the Reale held its Value; because they had just gone through an unsuccessful experiment with paper "money" and its inflation; and because they definitely were NOT going to continue to use the English Pound (Sterling).

A typical Spanish Reale minted in Mexico in 1732.

After the States united under the Articles of Confederation created the United States of America under the Constitution of 1791, they delegated to Congress the complementary powers to (1) establish the Value of a Dollar and (2) to mint and circulate said Dollars.

Congress, in The Coinage Act of 1792, established, by definition, a Dollar as a certain weight of silver, shaped into a coin ["minted"], and placed into circulation; and authorized the minting of the first United States of America silver Dollars, gold 'Eagles', and silver and copper fractional coins.

A typical United States of America Silver Dollar, dated 1804.

A pre-Civil War United States of America Gold Dollar.

During the American Civil War, the Union government did not have enough silver or gold bullion to mint enough money [dollars] to pay the costs of the war in Lawful Money, so it unconstitutionally printed, not minted, the first United States of America paper currency: United States Treasury Notes (called "Greenbacks") under the Doctrine of "Necessity" [if we have to do it to survive, it is "necessary" and, hence, justifiable].


A typical Civil War-era United States $5 Treasury Note (Greenback).

You will notice that this piece of paper is NOT 5 Dollars; but it has the appearance of a conditional Promissory Note (a Negotiable Instrument); i.e., a Promise to pay 5 Dollars to the Bearer limited by the condition that the bearer may redeem the Note in lawful money at the United States Treasury in New York. And we do not know how much trouble it might have been to travel to New York during the Civil War.

To be legally valid, a Promissory Note must be in writing and must have these necessary elements:
1. A firm promise to pay [by the payor];
2. A Definite sum of money;
3. A recipient [the payee];
4. A definite date when such definite sum of money is due and payable; and
5. The signature of the Note maker [the payor].


The Civil War Era

From Tax Analyst's Taxation Museum (my emphasis added in boldface):

"The Civil War represented a watershed moment in the history of American taxation. The quick, limited engagement both sides confidently predicted soon proved a chimera. Instead, the exigencies of protracted, destructive warfare "engulfing private property and civilian populations as well as commissioned combatants" demanded innovations in government financing. While the outcome of the conflict may be attributed to any number of contingent factors, the varying fiscal strategies undertaken by the Union and Confederate governments undoubtedly influenced the capacity of both societies to sustain the war effort. North and South employed markedly different approaches. The North's proved more efficacious in the long run....

"Union War Financing
"In order for the bond program to be successful, the North needed an unrestricted currency supply for citizens to pay for them and a source of income to guarantee the interest. The Legal Tender Act filled the first requirement. Passed in February, 1862, the Act authorized the issue of $150 million in Treasury notes, known as Greenbacks. In contrast to Confederate paper, however, Congress required citizens, banks, and governments to accept Greenbacks as legal tender for public and private debts, except for interest on federal bonds and customs duties. This policy allowed buyers to purchase bonds with greenbacks while the interest accrued to them was paid in gold (funded, in part, by specie payments of customs duties). Investors enjoyed a bountiful windfall, since government securities purchased with depreciated currency were redeemed with gold valued at the pre-war level. Taxpayers essentially made up the difference. Because most bonds were acquired by the wealthy or by financial institutions, the program concentrated investment capital in the hands of those likely to use it, much as Alexander Hamilton's debt plan had sought to do. ...
The Internal Revenue Act of 1862, enacted by Congress in July, 1862, soaked up much of the inflationary pressure produced by Greenbacks. It did so because the Act placed excise taxes on just about everything, including sin and luxury items like liquor, tobacco, playing cards, carriages, yachts, billiard tables, and jewelry. It taxed patent medicines and newspaper advertisements. It imposed license taxes on practically every profession or service except the clergy. It instituted stamp taxes, value-added taxes on manufactured goods and processed meats, inheritance taxes, taxes on the gross receipts of corporations, banks, and insurance companies, as well as taxes on dividends or interest they paid to investors. To administer these excise taxes, along with the tariff system, the Internal Revenue Act also created a Bureau of Internal Revenue, whose first commissioner, George Boutwell, described it as "the largest Government department ever organized." ...
The first federal income tax in American history actually preceded the Internal Revenue Act of 1862. Passed in August, 1861, it had helped assure the financial community that the government would have a reliable source of income to pay the interest on war bonds."

Theoretically, the present-day "income tax" may still be being used to provide security for the repayment of the United State's outstanding obligations and to soak up the inflationary pressure of fiat money. "Taxpayers" would then be being treated as the surety or collateral for the debts of the United States.


After the Civil War, Congress recalled the Greenbacks from circulation and re-authorized the minting of silver and gold Dollars.

A typical United States of America Morgan Silver Dollar, dated 1899.

After 1913, the first Federal Reserve Notes were introduced into circulation.

A Federal Reserve Note, Redeemable in Gold, dated 1928.

A Federal Reserve Note, Redeemable in lawful money, dated 1934.

You will notice that these Notes were Redeemable in Gold or in Lawful Money.
Obviously, if something is Redeemable in Gold or Lawful Money, it is NOT, and CANNOT be, either Gold or lawful money.

Federal Reserve Notes may have been construed by the courts to be "Legal Tender" [see the United States Supreme Court "Legal Tender Cases": Hepburn v. Griswold, 75 U.S. 603, Knox v. Lee, and Parker v. Davis, 79 U.S. 457], but they are not, and cannot ever be declared to be, lawful money.
That is legally impossible, no matter what the Supreme Court might wish.

What is a Dollar?

A second What is a Dollar?

When does money become money? Paul Gilkes article from Coin World, Dec. 16, 2002.

An essay on lawful Money:

The History of Lawful gold and silver money and the debt brought on by unlawful fiat paper money:

A Legal Brief on Money:

An article on the Federal Reserve System:

Another article on the Federal Reserve System:

In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt cancelled (repudiated) the Redemption of Federal Reserve Notes in gold within these United States of America and forbid the private ownership of gold coins or bullion by Citizens, upon penalty of fine and/or imprisonment.
So the ignorant "responsible", "law-abiding" Citizens turned in their lawful money to the Treasury, which probably used that money to pay off debts of the United States.
However, Federal Reserve Notes were still Redeemable is gold outside these United States of America and the same Federal Reserve Notes were still Redeemable in silver upon demand within these United States of America.

A typical Silver Certificate, Redeemable in Silver, dated 1935.

This may or may not be why John Kennedy was murdered in 1963:

J.F.K. v. the Federal Reserve:

When these United States of America "went off the Silver Standard" in 1964, the Government again repudiated the Redemption of Federal Reserve Notes in silver coin (the last lawful money) and replaced the lawful money with cupro-nickel tokens. In a very real sense, the United States became insolvent. We then had Federal Reserve Notes which were "redeemable" only in other Federal Reserve Notes and "token" coinage having little intrinsic value, and also not redeemable in anything of value.

We now have a "Federal Reserve Note" which does not Promise anything, is not Redeemable on Demand in anything of intrinsic value, and which has been deemed (unilaterally proclaimed) to be "legal tender", but which is not and cannot ever be lawful money of the United States. While the current "Federal Reserve Notes" are not valid promissory notes; they may be "bills of credit".
Legally, such currency is called "scrip" or "fiat money".
In slang, such currency is called "worthless", "bogus", "fake", "funny money", etc.
What "obligation" could possibly attach to such a "Note" or to the use of such a "Note"?
I believe that, since no obligation [of Redemption in Value] can attach to the purported Issuer [the Federal Reserve Banks] or to the purported co-signers [the Treasurer of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury] of such a "Note", no obligation could possibly attach to the first, nor to any subsequent, holder or user of such a pseudo-"Note".

And if it costs only 3-4 cents to make such a "Note" [no matter what the actual "face" denomination], isn't that production cost [paper, ink, and "security" strip] the only intrinsic value of the "Note"?

Congressional Report on Money (1964):

In other words, every the Federal Reserve System purporting to issue these "Federal Reserve Notes" as money to its member Banks and every member Bank issuing them to its customers is legally insolvent, because they cannot ever redeem such a "Federal Reserve Note" in lawful money of these United States of America. Further, they are also willfully committing Fraud upon their customers, because they know (even if their customers do not know) that they cannot redeem those "Federal Reserve Notes".

There may well be a sustainable analogy between the current irredeemable "Federal Reserve Notes" and the notes of the Confederate States of America as described here:

It was by this government [nt: the Confederate States of America] exercising its power throughout an immense terrritory, that the Confederate notes were issued early in the war, and these notes in a short time became almost exclusively the currency of the insurgent states. As contracts in themselves, except in the contingency of successful revolution, these notes were nullities; for, except in that event, there could be no payer. They bore, indeed, this character upon their face, for they were made payable only "after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States of America." While the war lasted, however, they had a certain contingent value, and were used as money in nearly all the business transactions of many millions of people. They must be regarded, therefore, as a currency, imposed on the community by irresistible force.
(note added in brackets) Thorington v. Smith (1869), 8 Wall. (75 U.S.) 1, 19 L.Ed 361, 364.

First National Bank of Montgomery, Minnesota v. Jerome Daley
[Note: Be careful; I have not found this case published in any official Reporter. Maybe you could get a copy by writing to the originating Court. Certainly it might disconcert that court.]

A Non-Redeemable One Dollar "Federal Reserve Note".

The Ethics of Irredeemable Money.

The use of money to create slavery:

So, if the value of any "Federal Reserve Note" depends only on our collective perception or "confidence" in it, doesn't that make the whole "Federal Reserve System" and its "Notes" a "Confidence" game; i.e., a "con" game, or simply, a "con"?


If the information above has interested you, you may enjoy visiting these sites:

This article was produced by the Chicago Branch of the Federal Reserve [it is supposedly out-of-print]:

Modern Money Mechanics.

Fractional Reserve Banking:

The Smithsonian Institute looks at money:

Dr. Edwin Vieira, Jr. article on money:

Billions for the Bankers:

A 1899 book warning about banking:
The Coming Battle, Part 1. The Coming Battle, Part 2.

Lawrence Parks article:

another Lawrence Parks article:

The Moneychanger:

To have an idea of the supposed relative [imaginary] value of Federal Reserve Notes against other currencies in international commerce, you just have to watch the "commodity" prices of gold and silver and the Foreign Currency Exchange rates in a newspaper.
If the "commodity price" of gold or silver (in dollars) is falling, the FRN is supposedly worth more that day.
If the "Dollar" is falling against the "Pound" or the "Euro" or any other currency, the FRN is supposedly worth more internationally that day against those other fiat [imaginary] currencies.

Fortunately, since 1982, we again can buy and hold real lawful money of the United States of America.
That is, we can take the Federal Reserve System's "Federal Reserve Note" funny-money and exchange it for gold or silver coins at a coin dealer [of course there is also that "Sales Tax" depreciation in making the exchange].

The United States Mint is currently authorized to mint 1 Troy ounce coins of Silver and 1 Troy ounce, 1/2 Troy ounce, 1/4 Troy ounce, and 1/10 Troy ounce coins of Gold, which THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT is pleased to call "numismatic items" or "bullion coins." [Of course, those characterizations are designed to disguise the fact that these coins really are lawful money of the United States of America, rather than simply circulating legal tender tokens.] There are also platinum coins which I have not discussed because, so far as I know, platinum has never been authorized for use as lawful money.

Aren't they pretty?

END

[BACK to My Work][Come Visit My Home Page]

Questions or comments?:

Thanks for visiting. Click