[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1212-E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2004 AS NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2004

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
that will designate September 2004 as ``National Life Insurance 
Awareness Month.'' I want to thank my friend Paul Kanjorski, the 
Ranking Member of the Financial Service Committee, for introducing this 
resolution with me and for his support on this important issue.
  Today only four in ten adult Americans own an individual life 
insurance policy. And among those who do have life insurance, the 
amount often is too small to safeguard the financial future of their 
loved ones. As a result of insufficient coverage, family members often 
are forced to work extra jobs or longer hours, borrow money, or move to 
less desirable housing. These outcomes attest to the ``crisis of 
underinsurance'' that exists in our nation today.
  Losing a family member is painful enough without it being compounded 
by financial difficulties. The goal of ``Life Insurance Awareness 
Month'' is to educate Americans about

[[Page E1213]]

the importance of life insurance to a sound financial plan. It is my 
hope that it will motivate Americans to seek out information about the 
benefits of life insurance, so that if the premature death of a loved 
one does occur, they will be spared the economic hardships that often 
accompany tragedy.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in support of designating September 
2004 as ``Life Insurance Awareness Month,'' and I yield back the 
balance of my time.

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