FOUNDATION WEB SITE CATCHES WORLDS ATTENTION

Since the Klaas Foundation launched its World Wide Web site on Feb. 6, 1995, 1,500 to 2,000 people daily have been using their computers to electronically drop in. From as far away as Sri Lanka and Australia, visitors have checked out the site's child safety tips, resource guide to information on children's issues, and updates on the Foundation's legislative goals in the United States. "Last week there were 61 visits from Singapore," said Mike Angiletta, principal owner of the San Francisco-based Silicon Media, which constructed and manages the site.

The other big draw has been Marc and Joe Klaas' daily journal of the trial of Richard Alien Davis, the now-convicted killer of Polly Klaas. "A main purpose of the journal is to give our perspective of the trial, to show what the impact is on the family," Marc Klaas said.

The site has focused most recently on a new federal bill (see story below) aimed at limiting the sale of marketing lists identifying children and details of their lives. The site allows visitors to send an electronic message to R. R. Donnelly, the principal company involved in selling the lists. Company representatives visit the site often -- usually more than 100 times a week -- to check up on the Kids Off Lists campaign, Angiletta said.

The site has won four awards from online organizations, including the Magellan Award for originality and social relevance.

The Web site address is http:// www.klaaskids.org.

Material for this article was taken from one which appeared in the May 27, 1996, Press Democrat, written by Mary Callahan.

KIDS OFF LISTS:
NEW CRIME BILL HEARING

It sometimes seems an unbearably slow process, but laws are being passed to help protect our children, and the Klaas Foundation is working to support and inform voters on the progress of proposed legislation. The most recent is the Children's Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act of 1996 (HR3508), scheduled for hearings before Rep. Bill McCollum's House Judiciary Sub-Committee on Crime at 9:30 a.m., September 12, 1996.

The purpose of the hearing is to present pros and cons regarding the regulation of the private database industry. Rep. Bob Franks (R-NJ) the House sponsor of the bill; Marc Rotenberg, president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC); and Marc Klaas will be testifying on behalf of the legislation. The Federal Trade Commission seems to be supportive of the action thus far.

For more information on the marketing of the names and addresses of children -- to anyone, without question or safeguard -- click here.