[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 325 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 325


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            December 3, 2010

Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                                Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial 
                                  Day.

Whereas more than 500,000 people in the United States do not have a place to 
        call home each night and half of them are without shelter;
Whereas nationwide each year, an estimated 2,000,000 people experience 
        homelessness;
Whereas adequate housing is essential for healthy families and communities;
Whereas housing has become increasingly inaccessible due to rising costs and a 
        shortage of rental and single-family housing;
Whereas a recent study published in the May 13, 2010, American Journal of Public 
        Health has shown that over 70 percent of people experiencing 
        homelessness have at least one unmet health need and almost half report 
        two or more;
Whereas the mortality rate among homeless populations has been shown to be 
        almost four times that of the general population;
Whereas every member of society, including individuals experiencing 
        homelessness, deserves the dignity of safe, decent, accessible, and 
        affordable housing;
Whereas the President and Congress were presented on June 22, 2010, ``Opening 
        Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness'' which 
        describes how the Federal Government will partner with States, local 
        communities, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector;
Whereas remembering that winter poses extreme hardships for inadequately housed 
        low-income men, women, and children across the United States, the 
        National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Healthcare for the 
        Homeless Council will hold memorial services on December 21, 2010, for 
        those who die each year because of conditions associated with 
        homelessness;
Whereas December 21, 2010, is the first day of winter and the longest night of 
        the year;
Whereas the spirit of the holiday season provides an opportunity for affirmation 
        and renewal regarding the commitment to ending homelessness and 
        promoting compassion and concern for all, especially the homeless;
Whereas in remembering those who died on the streets, the cause of ending 
        homelessness is kept urgent as is the Nation's collective commitment to 
        preventing such deaths in the future; and
Whereas National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day is recognized on December 21, 
        2010: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Homeless 
        Persons' Memorial Day, in recognition of the people who have 
        died on the streets, in emergency shelters, condemned or 
        abandoned properties, and from elements directly related to 
        homelessness;
            (2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation in 
        support of the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' 
        Memorial Day;
            (3) encourages States, territories, possessions of the 
        United States, and localities to support the goals and ideals 
        of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day by issuing 
        proclamations designating National Homeless Persons' Memorial 
        Day;
            (4) encourages media organizations to participate in 
        National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day to help educate the 
        public about homelessness in the United States;
            (5) commends the efforts of the States, territories, and 
        possessions of the United States who support the goals and 
        ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day;
            (6) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation's commitment to 
        ending homelessness by promoting a comprehensive national 
        response that addresses the housing, health care, income, and 
        civil rights causal factors and consequences of extreme 
        poverty; and
            (7) acknowledges all of the people in the United States 
        living on the streets who have paid the ultimate price for the 
        Nation's failure to end homelessness and salutes the dedicated 
        professionals and organizations who provide assistance to 
        people in need.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 2, 2010.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.