(Alexandria, VA) – America’s senior citizens today joined a wide and diverse chorus of business groups and grassroots organizations commending the House Judiciary Committee for its consideration of H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Jim Martin, Chairman of the 60 Plus Association, released the following statement hailing the legislation as a “critical tool to protect America’s intellectual property from Internet theft, both domestically and globally.

“60 Plus strongly supports SOPA, much-needed legislation that will strengthen our enforcement efforts to curb online counterfeiting and piracy in an ever-changing digital world. Rogue sites are sophisticated, deceptive operations aimed at luring consumers, including senior citizens, into purchasing dangerously defective products or downloading illegal pirated content filled with malware. Additionally, America’s seniors are committed to, and dependent on, America being a dominant force on the world’s economic stage. Rogue sites legislation like SOPA will help save jobs, grow our economy, and protect consumers.

“I applaud Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) for his persistent and thoughtful work on this bill which enjoys tremendous bi-partisan support, co-sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), ranking minority member. Passing SOPA through committee is a vital first step in ensuring that America’s economic assets are not picked dry by Internet and digital pirates. After SOPA is passed out of committee, we must then follow through to ensure final passage, so American hard work and ingenuity can continue to provide all of us the prosperity we have worked so hard to achieve.”

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