Rep. Dennis Hastert Hosted 'Keep Kids Safe In Cyberspace' panel in August

Republican Congressman J. Dennis Hastert of the14th District of Illinois on this website issued the following press release, dated Tuesday, August 29, 2006.

Hastert Drives Effort To 'Keep Kids Safe In Cyberspace' Congressman leads community meeting addressing Internet safety

ST. CHARLES – Congressman J. Dennis Hastert brought national experts together with community leaders and parents on Tuesday for a 14th District Community Meeting to share information and insights on protecting children from Online predators.

Held at St. Charles North High School, “Keeping Kids Safe in Cyberspace,” included representatives of local police agencies and a panel of national Internet and law enforcement experts highlighting efforts to make the Internet safer for children. A private question-and-answer session followed, where parents addressed specific concerns and situations with police and web providers.

“Recent news stories remind us that there are predators using the Internet to target children,” Hastert said. “And just as we warn our children about ‘stranger danger’ when they are at the park or answering the door or telephone, we need to be aware of potential dangers in Cyberspace.”

Go read the rest of the press release in which Republican Speaker of the House J .Dennis Hastert highlighted Congressional efforts underway to protect children on the Internet, including recent House passage of the “Deleting Online Predators” Act.

The J. Dennis Hastert 'Keep Kids Safe In Cyberspace' press release was also issues on the following websites Sugar Grove Public Library and School District 129.

J. Dennis Hastert 'Keep Kids Safe In Cyberspace' panelists included representatives of MySpace.com, Comcast, Microsoft, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Naperville Police Department Internet Crimes Unit. J. Dennis Hastert collaborated with the following schools: City of St. Charles School District; Communities in Schools of Aurora; DeKalb County Regional Office of Education; East Aurora School District #131; Kane County Regional Office of Education; Kendall County Regional Office of Education; Lee/Ogle Regional Office of Education; U-46 School District and West Aurora School District #129.

J. Dennis Hastert must be held accountable to the people, parents in this Congressional District especially to the people who took part in the 'Keep Kids Safe In Cyberspace' panel. How can Republican leader Hastert participate in the panel while a member of his party, Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), had improper contacts with pages over a year time online?

Being in a position of power comes with immense responsibility. J. Dennis Hastert must step aside and let a bipartisan investigation into Mark Foley and anyone who was involved. If J. Dennis Hastert covered up and allow Mark Foley to continue to be a Congressman knowing of this improper contacts, or criminal actions he must resign this office.

Mr. Hastert what do you know and when did you know it?