[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 772 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                    September 22, 2004.
Whereas there are nearly 1.7 million individuals living in 17,000 nursing homes 
        and 1 million individuals living in 46,000 board and care and assisted 
        living facilities in the United States;
Whereas residents of long-term care facilities, including senior citizens and 
        individuals living with disabilities, are one of the Nation's most 
        valued resources;
Whereas residents of long-term care facilities include the ``Greatest 
        Generation'' of Americans who protected our freedoms in World War II and 
        helped rebuild the world in the postwar years;
Whereas almost 160,000 people younger than 65 years of age live in the Nation's 
        nursing homes;
Whereas the Nation should honor and celebrate long-term care residents, 
        recognize their rich individuality, and reaffirm their rights as 
        community members and citizens, including the right to vote;
Whereas the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 guaranteed important rights, 
        such as the right to privacy, the right to be treated with dignity, the 
        right to exercise self-determination, the right to participate in the 
        review of one's care plan, the right to be fully informed in advance of 
        any changes in treatment, and the right to voice grievances without 
        discrimination or reprisal;
Whereas long-term care ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff, and family 
        and resident councils work to educate and empower residents in the 
        exercise of their rights;
Whereas the week beginning October 3, 2004, should be celebrated as National 
        Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week;
Whereas in recognition of National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week, 
        individuals and groups around the country will be affirming the 
        importance of quality of care and quality of life for long-term care 
        residents; and
Whereas National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week originated in 1980, with 
        resolutions introduced by Representative Claude Pepper and Senator David 
        Pryor to designate a Nursing Home Residents Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care 
        Residents' Rights Week; and
            (2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon 
        the people of the United States to observe that week with appropriate 
        ceremonies and activities to demonstrate the importance of long-term 
        care residents to our everyday lives.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.