Bill Text
111th Congress (2009-2010)
H.CON.RES.325.EH

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HCON 325 EH

Whereas more than 500,000 people in the United States do not have a place to call home each night and half of them are without shelter;

Whereas nationwide each year, an estimated 2,000,000 people experience homelessness;

Whereas adequate housing is essential for healthy families and communities;

Whereas housing has become increasingly inaccessible due to rising costs and a shortage of rental and single-family housing;

Whereas a recent study published in the May 13, 2010, American Journal of Public Health has shown that over 70 percent of people experiencing homelessness have at least one unmet health need and almost half report two or more;

Whereas the mortality rate among homeless populations has been shown to be almost four times that of the general population;

Whereas every member of society, including individuals experiencing homelessness, deserves the dignity of safe, decent, accessible, and affordable housing;

Whereas the President and Congress were presented on June 22, 2010, `Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness' which describes how the Federal Government will partner with States, local communities, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector;

Whereas remembering that winter poses extreme hardships for inadequately housed low-income men, women, and children across the United States, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council will hold memorial services on December 21, 2010, for those who die each year because of conditions associated with homelessness;

Whereas December 21, 2010, is the first day of winter and the longest night of the year;

Whereas the spirit of the holiday season provides an opportunity for affirmation and renewal regarding the commitment to ending homelessness and promoting compassion and concern for all, especially the homeless;

Whereas in remembering those who died on the streets, the cause of ending homelessness is kept urgent as is the Nation's collective commitment to preventing such deaths in the future; and

Whereas National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day is recognized on December 21, 2010: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, in recognition of the people who have died on the streets, in emergency shelters, condemned or abandoned properties, and from elements directly related to homelessness;

(2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation in support of the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day;

(3) encourages States, territories, possessions of the United States, and localities to support the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day by issuing proclamations designating National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day;

(4) encourages media organizations to participate in National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day to help educate the public about homelessness in the United States;

(5) commends the efforts of the States, territories, and possessions of the United States who support the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day;

(6) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation's commitment to ending homelessness by promoting a comprehensive national response that addresses the housing, health care, income, and civil rights causal factors and consequences of extreme poverty; and

(7) acknowledges all of the people in the United States living on the streets who have paid the ultimate price for the Nation's failure to end homelessness and salutes the dedicated professionals and organizations who provide assistance to people in need.

Passed the House of Representatives December 2, 2010.

Attest:

Clerk.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.

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