[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 179 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 179

 Supporting the goals and ideals of the 11th Annual National Consumer 
                            Protection Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 23, 2009

  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 11th Annual National Consumer 
                            Protection Week.

Whereas informed consumers are better equipped to see through fraud and 
        deception, whether in 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 information to help consumers shop for a 
        mortgage or auto loan, understand and reconcile credit card statements 
        and utility bills, choose savings and retirement plans, compare health 
        insurance policies, understand their credit report and how it affects 
        their ability to get credit and on what terms, and simply decide how to 
        pay for a purchase;
Whereas National Consumer Protection Week annually highlights consumer 
        protection and education efforts across the country;
Whereas the theme of National Consumer Protection Week 2009 is ``Nuts and Bolts: 
        Tools for Today's Economy'', which highlights consumer education efforts 
        across the Nation that are particularly vital during the current global 
        financial crisis;
Whereas more than 100 Federal agencies have collaborated on a website, 
        www.consumer.gov, which provides helpful information ranging from how 
        credit reports work to how to buy a new home and provides consumers with 
        the tools they need to protect themselves and make smart choices in 
        today's market;
Whereas the Federal Trade Commission collects consumer complaints about identity 
        theft, fraud, debt collection, and other consumer issues, and in 2008 
        collected over 1.2 million consumer complaints, more than half of which 
        were fraud complaints that resulted in consumers losing over $1.8 
        billion;
Whereas the Federal Trade Commission and other agencies collaborate with the 
        Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus of the House of Representatives 
        on various consumer events, including the annual National Consumer 
        Protection Week Fair;
Whereas National Consumer Protection Week partner organizations have tips on a 
        wide range of topics, from how to get a free credit report, spot a 
        telemarketing scam, avoid home and auto repair scams, to how to file a 
        consumer complaint with the appropriate authorities; 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 financial counseling: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of the 11th Annual 
        National Consumer Protection Week, including raising public 
        awareness about the importance of consumer protection;
            (2) encourages people across the United States to take 
        advantage of the wealth of consumer protection information that 
        can enhance confidence in the marketplace; and
            (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        recognizing the 11th Annual National Consumer Protection Week 
        calling upon the Federal Government, States, localities, 
        schools, nonprofit organizations, community-based institutions, 
        consumer advocates, and industry leaders to provide citizens 
        with the information necessary to effectively protect 
        themselves against consumer fraud, and encourage all people to 
        take an active role in protecting their personal information.
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