[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 623 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 623

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     September 9, 2009.
Whereas neighborhood crime is of continuing concern to the American people;
Whereas child safety is a growing concern for parents and communities, as 
        evidenced by several cases of missing and abducted children;
Whereas homeland security remains an important priority for communities and the 
        Nation;
Whereas crime, drugs, and violence in schools is of continuing concern to the 
        American people due to the recent high-profile incidents that have 
        resulted in fatalities at several schools in the United States;
Whereas the fight against neighborhood crime requires people to work together in 
        cooperation with law enforcement personnel;
Whereas neighborhood crime watch organizations effectively promote awareness 
        about, and the participation of volunteers in, crime prevention 
        activities at the local level;
Whereas neighborhood crime watch groups can contribute to the Nation's war on 
        drugs by helping to prevent communities from becoming markets for drug 
        dealers;
Whereas neighborhood crime watch programs play an integral role in combating 
        domestic terrorism by increasing vigilance and awareness and encouraging 
        citizen participation in community safety and homeland security;
Whereas community-based programs involving law enforcement, school 
        administrators, teachers, parents, and local communities work 
        effectively to reduce school violence and crime and promote the safety 
        of children;
Whereas citizens throughout the United States will take part in National Night 
        Out, a unique crime prevention event that will demonstrate the 
        importance and effectiveness of community participation in crime 
        prevention efforts;
Whereas over 37,000,000 people in more than 15,000 communities from all 50 
        States, territories, District of Columbia, and military bases worldwide 
        participated in National Night Out in 2007;
Whereas National Night Out will celebrate its 26th anniversary on Tuesday, 
        August 4, 2009, when citizens, businesses, local law enforcement 
        officers, mayors, State and Federal officials, and others will celebrate 
        ``America's Night Out Against Crime'' and participate in events to 
        support community crime prevention;
Whereas National Night Out is supporting the Department of Homeland Security's 
        Ready campaign by handing out materials and educating and empowering the 
        public on how to prepare for, and respond to, potential terrorist 
        attacks or other emergencies;
Whereas National Night Out is supporting the National Child Identification 
        Program, a joint partnership between the American Football Coaches 
        Association and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to provide 
        identification kits to parents to help locate missing children;
Whereas the National Sheriffs Association, the United States Conference of 
        Mayors, and the National League of Cities have officially expressed 
        support for National Night Out; and
Whereas citizens and communities that participate on August 4, 2009, will send a 
        positive message to other communities and the Nation, showing their 
        commitment to reduce crime and promote homeland security: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Night Out; and
            (2) requests that the President--
                    (A) issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United 
                States to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs to demonstrate support for National Night Out;
                    (B) focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime 
                prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime by 
                delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing the 
                Administration to make crime reduction an important priority; 
                and
                    (C) coordinate the efforts of the Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency, the USA Freedom Corps, the Citizen Corps, the 
                National Senior Service Corps, and AmeriCorps to participate in 
                National Night Out by supporting local efforts and neighborhood 
                watches and by supporting local officials, including law 
                enforcement personnel, to provide homeland security and combat 
                terrorism in the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.