[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 203 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 203
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President
of the United States should take Executive action to declare National
COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Day as a one-time Federal holiday to act
as a galvanizing moment to promote the more rapid distribution of
COVID-19 vaccines to all areas of the country, show appreciation for
the heroic partnership between government and health care stakeholders
to develop effective and safe vaccines in record time, and increase
public awareness of the important role vaccination can play for a
return to normalcy as soon as possible.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 9, 2021
Mr. Katko (for himself, Ms. Spanberger, and Mr. Gottheimer) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President
of the United States should take Executive action to declare National
COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Day as a one-time Federal holiday to act
as a galvanizing moment to promote the more rapid distribution of
COVID-19 vaccines to all areas of the country, show appreciation for
the heroic partnership between government and health care stakeholders
to develop effective and safe vaccines in record time, and increase
public awareness of the important role vaccination can play for a
return to normalcy as soon as possible.
Whereas, starting in 2020, COVID-19 created a global pandemic that has had a
catastrophic impact on human life, our communities, and our economy;
Whereas COVID-19 has caused more than 2,500,000 deaths across the globe and more
than 500,000 deaths in the United States;
Whereas COVID-19 has caused not only a public health crisis, but also an
unprecedented economic crisis in the United States that has led to
business closures, high unemployment rates, and a reduction in the
production of goods and services;
Whereas due to COVID-19, the United States Gross Domestic Product decreased 3.5
percent in 2020, the largest year-over-year decrease since 1946 and
recorded its steepest quarterly drop in economic output on record, a
decrease of 9.1 percent in the second quarter of 2020;
Whereas, the American people have struggled to live through one of the country's
most tragic years, but should remain cautious until we can reach herd
immunity and vaccinate most of the population to keep our family,
friends, and colleagues safe;
Whereas, the country's battle with COVID-19 is not over, but there is reason for
optimism to return to normalcy in the near future;
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the efforts of Operation Warp
Speed, which through American willpower, ingenuity, and might was able
to develop multiple vaccines with record-breaking speed because of the
private-public partnership facilitated by the United States Government;
Whereas despite confusion and misinformation about available vaccines, they are
an important part of family and public health and prevent the spread of
dangerous and deadly contagious diseases;
Whereas it has been scientifically established that the COVID-19 vaccines are
highly effective in preventing vaccine recipients from developing severe
or life-threatening symptoms and will help to protect Americans from
COVID-19;
Whereas mass vaccination programs have been highly successful in reducing the
57,000,000 deaths caused by infectious diseases in the world each year;
Whereas we are in a galvanizing moment for our country, with the promise of more
vaccine supplies and better distribution avenues that will lead to a
return to normalcy;
Whereas the delivery of the vaccine to the American public requires precise
coordination across Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial
governments and many public and private partners to ensure that every
American who wants to receive a COVID-19 vaccine can receive one;
Whereas the House of Representatives commends the creativity, innovation, and
willingness of local, county, and State efforts to distribute vaccines
to all areas of the country through a variety of venues, to cities and
rural communities alike, while also striving to maximize efficiency and
prevent any waste;
Whereas the House of Representatives encourages Federal, State, local, Tribal,
and territorial governments and public and private stakeholders to take
these successful models and continue to improve upon vaccine
distribution;
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the heroic effort undertaken by
our health care workers, first responders and leaders at all levels
working together to realize a truly American accomplishment of
developing vaccines in record time, working to effectively distribute
the vaccine, and collectively aim to have a majority of the country
vaccinated this summer;
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the importance of public health
awareness campaigns and a mass vaccination program for the betterment of
the American public; and
Whereas the House of Representatives understands the importance of returning to
normalcy through a mass vaccination program for the American people and
the economy to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) calls on the President of the United States to take
Executive action to declare National COVID-19 Vaccination
Awareness Day as a one-time Federal holiday to act as a
galvanizing moment to promote the more rapid distribution of
COVID-19 vaccines to all areas of the country, show
appreciation for the heroic partnership between government and
health care stakeholders to develop effective and safe vaccines
in record time, and increase public awareness of the important
role vaccination can play for a return to normalcy as soon as
possible;
(2) encourages the President of the United States in taking
such Executive action, to ensure that the executive departments
work with State and local officials and health care workers to
educate and vaccinate the public;
(3) encourages the President of the United States, in
taking such Executive action, to ensure that the United States
Government works to educate and vaccinate the Federal
workforce; and
(4) encourages Americans to take advantage of the rapidly
increasingly supply of COVID-19 vaccines, recognizing the
overwhelming scientific consensus on their efficacy and safety.
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