[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 207 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                         June 22, 1999.
Whereas, while the steady economic growth and low inflation in the United States 
        has yielded unprecedented prosperity, many American citizens have not 
        benefited from this prosperity and continue to be socioeconomically 
        disadvantaged;
Whereas millions of our fellow citizens who live in the inner cities and rural 
        communities continue to be plagued by social breakdown, economic 
        disadvantage, and educational failure that fosters hopelessness and 
        despair;
Whereas our most intractable pathologies--crime, drug addiction, teen pregnancy, 
        homelessness, and youth violence--are each being addressed by small, and 
        sometimes unrecognized, community- or faith-based organizations, whose 
        expertise should not be ignored;
Whereas these nonprofit organizations have local experts who are moving 
        individuals from dependency to self-sufficiency and restoring the lives 
        of men, women, and families across the country;
Whereas many community- and faith-based organizations are offering the American 
        public a new vision of compassion, designed to encourage volunteerism, 
        strengthen the community, and care for the poor and vulnerable;
Whereas private sector investment in capital development--social and economic--
        in the most poverty stricken pockets across the country is key to long-
        term renewal of urban centers and distressed rural communities;
Whereas economic growth attracts new businesses, provides stability to 
        neighborhoods, as well as provides jobs that yield income to support 
        families and nurture self-respect;
Whereas over 100 bipartisan Members of Congress have cosponsored H.R. 815, the 
        American Community Renewal Act, which targets the 100 poorest 
        communities in the Nation for pro-growth tax benefits, regulatory 
        relief, brownfields cleanup, and home-ownership opportunities that 
        combine to create jobs, hope, and a sense of community;
Whereas the President and the Vice President, along with congressional 
        organizations such as the Renewal Alliance, have recognized the 
        importance of community renewal and have recently promoted strategies 
        designed to rebuild communities to empower faith-based organizations on 
        the front lines of renewal in our country; and
Whereas a concerted effort to empower community institutions, encourage 
        community renewal, and implement educational reform will help those who 
        reside in inner cities and distressed rural communities to gain their 
        share of America's prosperity: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) extends gratitude to the private nonprofit organizations and 
        volunteers whose commitment to meet human needs in areas of poverty is 
        key to long-term renewal of urban centers and distressed rural 
        communities;
            (2) seeks to empower the strengths of America's communities, local 
        leaders, and mediating institutions such as its families, schools, 
        spiritual leaders, businesses and nonprofit organizations;
            (3) should work to empower community- and faith-based organizations 
        to promote effective solutions to the social, financial, and emotional 
        needs of urban centers and rural communities, and the long-term 
        solutions to the problems faced by our culture; and
            (4) should work with the Senate and the President to support a 
        compassionate grassroots approach to addressing the family, economic, 
        and cultural breakdown that plagues many of our Nation's urban and rural 
        communities.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.