110 HRES 973 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of the 10th U.S. House of Representatives 2008-02-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 973 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

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.