I wrote my Congressman concerning the E-mail messages that seem no ending spreading rumors regarding legislation to establish a fee for E-mail use. In hopes of curtailing this junk mail, I would like to share Congressman Bill Young's response with you. Lets stop forwarding these messages and reduce the traffic on our genealogy E-mail lists. "Dear Colonel Ricker: "Thank you for sharing with me your concerns about several rumors regarding legislation that would charge a fee for using e-mail. "You will be pleased to know both Bill 602P, legislation supposedly sponsored by the Postal Service asking for a surcharge on e-mail, and a measure that would create a tax on long distance e-mails are merely rumors circulating across the internet. Please be assured there are no such bills pending consideration before the House, and I would be steadfastly opposed to any similar legislation should it be introduced. "In an effort to be of all possible assistance, I have taken the liberty of enclosing a press release circulated by the United States Postal Service on one of these issues. It is my hope you will find this informative. "Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding these important matters of mutual concern. With best wishes and personal regards, I am Very truly yours /S/ C. W. Bill Young Member of Congress" UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE POSTAL NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 1999 Release No. 45 E-MAIL RUMOR COMPLETELY UNTRUE "WASHINGTON A completely false rumor concerning the U.S. Postal Service is being circulated on Internet e-mail. As a matter of fact, the Postal Service has learned that a similar hoax occurred recently in Canada concerning Canada Post. "The e-mail message claims that a "Congressman Schnell" has introduced "Bill 602P" to allow the federal government to impose a 5-cent surcharge on each e-mail message delivered over the Internet. The money would be collected by Internet Service Providers and then turned over to the Postal Service. "No such proposed legislation exists. In fact, no "Congressman Schnell" exists. "The U.S. Postal Service has no authority to surcharge e-mail messages sent over the Internet, nor would it support such legislation."