IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 717 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 31, 2009 Ms. Lee of California submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Passport Month.

Whereas through international travel, people of the United States can individually play a major role towards improving foreign relations by building bridges and making connections with citizens of other countries; Whereas interacting with the global community inspires United States citizens to reflect on the diverse multi-cultural background that has defined the Nation as a great country of cooperation and progress; Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad creates connections and promotes understanding with the global community, supporting goodwill throughout the world, and opening the doors to increased peace, tolerance, and acceptance; Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad opens up a preponderance of educational opportunities and experiences for people in the United States of all ages; Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad enables United States citizens to see first-hand the effect of the Nation on the world, including the tremendous amount of humanitarian aid given by the United States through both public and private sectors; Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad reminds people in the United States that they are members of a global family and gives them opportunities to mend rifts around the world; Whereas fewer than 25 percent of eligible people in the United States have passports, thereby limiting their ability to travel outside the United States; Whereas in 2008, the number of passports issued to people of the United States dropped significantly for the first time in nearly 20 years, indicating a need for renewed focus on obtaining passports; Whereas the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has created new requirements for citizens traveling by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean; Whereas the State Department has recently introduced the Passport Card to provide a new method of identification for citizens traveling by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean; Whereas the more United States citizens travel abroad, the more they will experience opportunities to increase their understanding of the world and the role the United States plays in it; Whereas the creation and support of a National Passport Month signals to people in the United States the important role they can play as ambassadors for the Nation by serving as agents of understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect; and Whereas travel publishers along with travel editors from the most prestigious media outlets in the United States, student travel organizations, and book sellers have designated September as National Passport Month to educate the public about the importance of having a passport and the positive impact international travel has on individuals: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of National Passport Month; (2)requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe National Passport Month with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; and (3)encourages media organizations to participate in National Passport Month and to help inform the people of the United States about the importance of obtaining passports.