FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2006
Contact: Jeffrey Mazzella 
703.535.5836

CFIF Activists to Congress: Hands Off the Internet!

Center for Individual Freedom Delivers More Than 3,000 letters to Majority Leader Boehner

Alexandria, VA — Citing the need to keep the Internet free from regulation, the Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) today delivered more than 3,000 letters written by consumers urging Congress not to regulate the Internet through so-called "network neutrality" provisions.

CFIF has been a longtime advocate of keeping the Internet free of regulation and taxation. Two weeks ago, the organization conducted an Internet letter writing campaign on the issue of network neutrality.  More than four thousand online activists wrote letters online to be delivered to their members of Congress taking sides against the "network neutrality" provision.

"We are supportive of the video franchise reform proposal – it is long overdue and will reduce regulation and provide consumers a competitive marketplace that will ultimately lead to lower prices," said Jeffrey Mazzella, president of CFIF.  "However, to tie the de-regulation of one industry to the regulation of another in the same legislation is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. CFIF will continue to fight against network neutrality provisions regardless of the good legislation it may be attached to.

"The thousands of people who used CFIF's online letter-writing tool in the last couple of weeks wanted to send a strong message to Congress: Hands off the Internet!" said Mazzella.  "It was my pleasure to deliver that message to the Majority Leader today on their behalf."

Mazzella went on to applaud Chairman Barton and the House Energy and Commerce Committee for taking positive steps in the fight for franchise reform, but urged Majority Leader Boehner to reject any and all calls for "network neutrality" language in telecom reform legislation.