[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 140 (Thursday, September 20, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S11914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 324, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 324) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of ``National Life Insurance Awareness Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize September 2007 
as National Life Insurance Awareness Month.
  I speak from personal experience when I say that you should never 
take for granted that you will always wake up tomorrow in the same 
condition you are in today. We can never be sure when our time will 
come, and it is always best to be prepared for the unexpected. An 
important part of preparedness is financial readiness, and that is why 
National Life Insurance Awareness Month is needed.
  There are 68 million Americans either with no life insurance or who 
are underinsured. It is concerning that there is such a large segment 
of the adult population in this country without proper financial 
planning tools. In a time of loss, a life insurance policy can mean the 
difference between having to sell the family home, pulling the kids out 
of college, or even, in some cases, having enough money to put food on 
the table. I want to commend the National Association of Insurance and 
Financial Advisors and the Life Insurance Foundation for Education as 
well as more than 100 insurance companies for their effort to raise 
consumer awareness of the important role that life insurance products 
can play in helping families plan their financial futures.
  I am also pleased that so many of our local financial advisors and 
financial institutions are already actively involved in helping South 
Dakotans increase savings and plan financial contingencies for 
unexpected events. By designating September 2007 as ``Life Insurance 
Awareness Month,'' I hope that the increased national attention on this 
issue will further encourage people across America to achieve financial 
security for themselves and their loved ones.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 324) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 324

       Whereas life insurance is an essential part of a sound 
     financial plan;
       Whereas life insurance provides financial security for 
     families by helping surviving members meet immediate and 
     long-term financial obligations and objectives in the event 
     of a premature death in their family;
       Whereas approximately 68,000,000 United States citizens 
     lack the adequate level of life insurance coverage needed to 
     ensure a secure financial future for their loved ones;
       Whereas life insurance products protect against the 
     uncertainties of life by enabling individuals and families to 
     manage the financial risks of premature death, disability, 
     and long-term care; and
       Whereas numerous groups supporting life insurance have 
     designated September 2007 as ``National Life Insurance 
     Awareness Month'' as a means to encourage consumers to take 
     the actions necessary to achieve financial security for their 
     loved ones: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Life 
     Insurance Awareness Month''; and
       (2) calls on the Federal Government, States, localities, 
     schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the 
     citizens of the United States to observe the month with 
     appropriate programs and activities.

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