[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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