[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 350 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 350

  Supporting the goals and ideals of National Transparency Day, which 
    promotes the financial transparency of charitable organizations.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 27, 2004

 Mrs. Myrick submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the goals and ideals of National Transparency Day, which 
    promotes the financial transparency of charitable organizations.

Whereas the people of the United States are an exceedingly generous people, 
        having contributed more than $241 billion to charitable organizations in 
        2002;
Whereas millions of people in the United States and around the world benefit 
        from the charitable contributions of the people of the United States;
Whereas the financial strength and success of charitable organizations in the 
        United States are dependent upon the confidence of donors that their 
        contributions are used for their stated purposes and are not 
        misappropriated or misused;
Whereas transparency in both finances and communications with donors is a 
        foundational concept for effective charitable organizations;
Whereas charitable organizations should be open and transparent with their 
        financial information, and such financial information should be 
        available to donors who contribute or desire to contribute to charitable 
        organizations;
Whereas Federal law requires most charitable organizations to file annual 
        financial reports;
Whereas charitable organizations should provide to their donors measurable 
        results of the organizations' actions;
Whereas Wall Watchers, a ministry based in Matthews, North Carolina, exists to 
        empower donors to make better-informed giving decisions;
Whereas Wall Watchers has joined with Members of Congress and leaders of 
        charitable organizations all over the United States to call upon 
        charitable organizations to be completely transparent, proactive, and 
        timely in providing financial information to all potential and existing 
        donors; and
Whereas Wall Watchers has designated May 15, 2004, as National Transparency Day: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Transparency 
        Day, which promotes the financial transparency of charitable 
        organizations;
            (2) recognizes that the issue of transparency is relevant 
        to myriad entities in the United States, including ministries, 
        non-profit and other organizations, corporations, and schools;
            (3) pledges to make bipartisan efforts to enact laws to 
        protect donors from charitable organizations that are not 
        financially transparent; and
            (4) acknowledges that the people of the United States are 
        an exceedingly generous people and that National Transparency 
        Day will encourage even greater generosity.
                                 <all>