[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 280 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                         June 12, 2000.
Whereas one of every two marriages ends in divorce;
Whereas children living with a single mother are six times more likely to live 
        in poverty than are children whose parents are married;
Whereas married adults, on average, live longer, have fewer emotional problems, 
        and are less likely to engage in alcohol or drug abuse;
Whereas visionary communities have adopted community marriage policies to 
        empower couples for healthy, lifelong marriage and to foster an 
        environment that has the greatest likelihood of ensuring the well-being 
        of our citizens, especially our children;
Whereas a community marriage policy is a set of guidelines for premarital 
        preparation and community support for marriage to which individuals, the 
        community, clergy, and congregations voluntarily commit; and
Whereas a successful community marriage policy is one that urges clergy, 
        congregations, and the broader community to--

    (1) encourage premarital preparation education;

    (2) train mature married couples to serve as mentors to the newly 
married;

    (3) evaluate current practices that may unwittingly undermine marriage 
formation and stability;

    (4) implement policies that promote marriage; and

    (5) volunteer time, expertise, and resources to support initiatives 
that promote marriage and stable families: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of strong marriages for a strong 
        society;
            (2) commends communities that have established community marriage 
        policies for their efforts to support marriage and prevent the problems 
        of divorce; and
            (3) encourages other communities in the United States to develop 
        voluntary community marriage policies to enable community members, such 
        as clergy, business leaders, public officials, and health professionals, 
        to work together to strengthen marriages and provide stable environments 
        for children.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.