[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 973 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 973

 Supporting the goals and ideals of the 10th annual National Consumer 
                            Protection Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 12, 2008

  Mr. Hinojosa (for himself and Mrs. Biggert) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of the 10th annual National Consumer 
                            Protection Week.

Whereas everyday, consumers conduct some type of financial transaction requiring 
        an educated decision: shopping for a mortgage or auto loan; 
        understanding and reconciling credit card statements and utility bills; 
        choosing savings and retirement plans; comparing health insurance 
        policies; understanding their credit report and how it affects their 
        ability to get credit and on what terms; and simply deciding how to pay 
        for a purchase;
Whereas informed consumers are better equipped to see through frauds and 
        deceptions, whether they take the form of questionable claims in an 
        advertisement, offers that come in the mail or e-mail, or schemes 
        designed to appear to be risk-free;
Whereas the Federal Government provides many educational resources and programs 
        to help people protect themselves against fraud by supplying them with 
        information about their options in the marketplace;
Whereas the Federal Trade Commission and more than 100 other Federal agencies 
        have collaborated on a website, www.consumer.gov, which provides helpful 
        information ranging from how credit reports and scores work to how to 
        buy a new home;
Whereas the Federal Trade Commission has prepared a collection of easy-to-use 
        materials to enable anyone, regardless of his or her existing knowledge 
        about identity theft, to learn about and inform others about how to 
        protect themselves against this serious crime, which can be found at 
        www.ftc.gov/IDTheft;
Whereas consumers can find practical tips from National Consumer Protection Week 
        partner organizations about how to manage their money, use credit 
        wisely, avoid scams, and fend off fraud, and file a complaint online at 
        www.consumer.gov/ncpw;
Whereas, by gathering and sharing information, consumers and their friends and 
        families can be more confident, savvy, and safe in the marketplace;
Whereas increasing financial literacy and information about financial services 
        provides consumers with the knowledge to obtain the most appropriate and 
        prudent options for managing their finances and building wealth;
Whereas a 2005 report by the Comptroller General entitled ``Credit Reporting 
        Literacy'' supports educational efforts to increase consumers' 
        understanding of the credit reporting process and suggests that such 
        efforts target those areas in which consumers' knowledge is weakest, 
        including populations with less education, lower incomes, and less 
        experience obtaining credit; and
Whereas public, community-based, and private sector organizations throughout the 
        United States are working to increase financial literacy rates and 
        consumer protection for people of all ages and walks of life through a 
        range of outreach efforts, including media campaigns, websites, and one-
        on-one counseling for individuals: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of the 10th annual 
        National Consumer Protection Week, including raising public 
        awareness about the importance of consumer protection and 
        financial literacy;
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon Government officials, industry leaders, schools, 
        nonprofit organizations, and consumer advocates to provide 
        citizens with the information necessary to effectively protect 
        themselves against consumer fraud, and encourage all citizens 
        to take an active role in protecting their personal 
        information; and
            (3) encourages people across the United States to take 
        advantage of the wealth of consumer protection information that 
        can enhance confidence in the marketplace and improve their 
        financial literacy.
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