U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, recently introduced legislation to protect the privacy rights of hunters.The measure, English said, would repeal a federal mandate that has been interpreted by Pennsylvania officials to require every applicant for a recreational license, such as for hunting and fishing, to disclose their social security number.Under law, states are required to revoke or deny recreational licenses of parents who are behind on child support payments.As a result, English noted, any individual who applies or renews a driver, occupational or recreational license must include their social security number on their application form.He said the federal mandate was included in the 1996 Welfare Reform as an attempt to improve child support compliance."As a strong advocate of the 1996 Welfare Reform bill, I believe this is an important practice that helps to crack down on deadbeat parents and has led to millions of dollars in increased child support," said English, member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the issue."However, much of the success of this law is due to the threat of loosing a driver or professional license. Requiring sportsmen to release their social security number when applying for a hunting or fishing license is unreasonable, burdensome and overall ineffective."English's bill would repeal the federal mandate to collect social security numbers for recreational licenses, but the requirement for drivers and professional licenses would remain.———Two chairmen in the House of Representatives praised U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, for his advocacy on behalf of America's service members and veterans.Applauding Altmire were Bob Filner, D-Calif., chairman of the House Veterans Committee; and Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.Altmire was recognized for authoring two measures, including one that would ensure proper screening and treatment of traumatic brain injuries suffered by returning soldiers.The other bill would extend Family and Medical Leave Act benefits to family members of military personnel, to enable them to take time to attend to family issues, such as child care, that arise due to loved ones' military deployments.Both measures passed the House in May, and are awaiting action in the Senate.