Rep. McMillin offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 48.   

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize Congress not to enact the Stop Online Piracy Act or the Protect Intellectual Property Act.

            Whereas, In a relatively short period of time, the Internet has become an increasingly integral element of virtually all aspects of modern life. With its widespread and growing use in all areas of commerce, education, and communications, the Internet has also been utilized by those engaged in illegal activities. A long simmering debate has developed on how to deal with the illegal uses of the Internet without impinging on the freedoms that have made this communication tool integral to a far higher level of information sharing than seemed possible a few decades ago; and

            Whereas, Recent attention focused on legislation pending in Congress, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) or the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), has increased public understanding of the perils of imposing restrictions. While these bills are aimed at dealing with the piracy of copyrighted materials and the sale of counterfeited goods, the solutions proposed present a serious threat to the open exchange of information in all fields of endeavor; and

            Whereas, It is widely acknowledged among computer technology experts that the specific provisions of SOPA and PIPA would ultimately do little to stop online piracy or to protect intellectual property rights. Instead, these measures would give the government new powers with the potential for censoring Internet content and would threaten the spirit of innovation that defines so much of the emerging technologies. The additional specter of possible governmental interference without judicial approval should be a major concern for everyone who values freedom of expression; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we memorialize Congress not to enact the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) or the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA); and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.