[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 154 (Tuesday, November 30, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7728-H7730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS' MEMORIAL DAY
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 325) supporting the goals and
ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 325
Whereas more than 500,000 people in the United States do
not have a place to call home each night and half of them are
without shelter;
Whereas nationwide each year, an estimated 2,000,000 people
experience homelessness;
Whereas adequate housing is essential for healthy families
and communities;
Whereas housing has become increasingly inaccessible due to
rising costs and a shortage of rental and single-family
housing;
Whereas a recent study published in the May 13, 2010,
American Journal of Public Health has shown that over 70
percent of people experiencing homelessness have at least one
unmet health need and almost half report two or more;
Whereas the mortality rate among homeless populations has
been shown to be almost four times that of the general
population;
Whereas every member of society, including individuals
experiencing homelessness, deserves the dignity of safe,
decent, accessible, and affordable housing;
Whereas the President and Congress were presented on June
22, 2010, ``Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent
and End Homelessness'' which describes how the Federal
Government will partner with States, local communities,
nonprofit organizations, and the private sector;
Whereas remembering that winter poses extreme hardships for
inadequately housed low-income men, women, and children
across
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the United States, the National Coalition for the Homeless
and the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council will
hold memorial services on December 21, 2010, for those who
die each year because of conditions associated with
homelessness;
Whereas December 21, 2010, is the first day of winter and
the longest night of the year;
Whereas the spirit of the holiday season provides an
opportunity for affirmation and renewal regarding the
commitment to ending homelessness and promoting compassion
and concern for all, especially the homeless;
Whereas in remembering those who died on the streets, the
cause of ending homelessness is kept urgent as is the
Nation's collective commitment to preventing such deaths in
the future; and
Whereas National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day is
recognized on December 21, 2010: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Homeless
Persons' Memorial Day, in recognition of the people who have
died on the streets, in emergency shelters, condemned or
abandoned properties, and from elements directly related to
homelessness;
(2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation in
support of the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons'
Memorial Day;
(3) encourages States, territories, possessions of the
United States, and localities to support the goals and ideals
of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day by issuing
proclamations designating National Homeless Persons' Memorial
Day;
(4) encourages media organizations to participate in
National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day to help educate the
public about homelessness in the United States;
(5) commends the efforts of the States, territories, and
possessions of the United States who support the goals and
ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day;
(6) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation's commitment to
ending homelessness by promoting a comprehensive national
response that addresses the housing, health care, income, and
civil rights causal factors and consequences of extreme
poverty; and
(7) acknowledges all of the people in the United States
living on the streets who have paid the ultimate price for
the Nation's failure to end homelessness and salutes the
dedicated professionals and organizations who provide
assistance to people in need.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Peters) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. PETERS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution
325, which supports the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons'
Memorial Day.
I want to thank Congressman Alcee Hastings for introducing this
important resolution.
An estimated 2 million people experience homelessness in the United
States each year, and every night, more than a half a million people
are homeless. These individuals are at a high risk for mortality,
sickness, and mental illness. The mortality rate among homeless persons
is four times greater than that of the general population.
Furthermore, according to a 2010 study published in the American
Journal of Public Health, over 70 percent of the homeless population
has at least one unmet health need, and almost half report two or more.
In particular, approximately 2 million youth experience homelessness
over the course of a year, and nearly 200,000 children in families were
homeless, which is according to a recent one-night count of
homelessness by the Urban Institute.
The problem facing the homeless is also why House Concurrent
Resolution 325 is so important. It will recognize December 21, 2010, as
National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, and it will reaffirm the
commitment of Congress to end homelessness by promoting a comprehensive
national response to address the housing, health, and economic causes
and consequences of extreme poverty.
Preventing homelessness has been a longtime priority for Congress and
this administration. On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed into law
S. 896, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which included the
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act.
{time} 1940
House Concurrent Resolution 325 furthers the mission of Congress to
help prevent and end homelessness in the United States. I commend
Congressman Hastings for introducing this very important legislation
and urge my colleagues to vote in support of House Concurrent
Resolution 325.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today as an original cosponsor of House
Concurrent Resolution 325, supporting the goals and ideals of National
Homeless Persons' Memorial Day on December 21, 2010.
I thank Mr. Peters of Michigan for managing this bill. I would also
like to thank my colleagues, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Davis of
Kentucky and Ms. Bernice Johnson of Texas, who all worked to bring this
important measure to the floor.
As many of you know, the four of us joined together this May to form
the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Homelessness. As part of that
effort, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of preventing
and ending homelessness in our country through efforts such as the
resolution before us today. I would strongly encourage any Member who
hasn't already done so to consider joining this important new caucus.
Following our initial launch, we held a successful briefing in October
to discuss ending veterans' homelessness. During the 112th Congress, we
hope to hold similar forums to facilitate exchanges among interested
stakeholders to raise national attention and discuss solutions to the
challenges facing homeless families, veterans, and especially children
and youth.
Today, with this concurrent resolution, we bring to the attention of
our colleagues one of the most tragic realities that too often goes
unnoticed among homeless Americans, the loss of life. Each year, the
National Coalition for the Homeless organizes memorial events on the
first day of winter to recognize those Americans who have passed away.
Last year, over 150 cities held events to honor those homeless children
and adults who died, many without any family, friends or loved ones
being given a chance to bear witness to their final moments or to mourn
their loss. While homeless individuals too often die in anonymity,
their lives each held meaning, purpose and value. This resolution is an
opportunity to recognize that fact and reflect on the lives that have
been lost.
This winter in the Chicago area, church officials and members,
homeless providers, volunteers, government officials, and others will
gather on National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. In my home district,
DuPage Public Action to Deliver Shelter, or DuPage PADS, will host an
event to recognize the lives of six homeless people in DuPage County
who passed away in 2010. In the City of Chicago, where an estimated 25
homeless people have passed away this year, the Ignatian Spirituality
Project will sponsor a memorial service at St. Patrick's Church.
Whether in public or in prayer, I encourage my colleagues in Congress
as well as Americans across our great country to take a moment during
this holiday season to remember our homeless neighbors who have passed
on. I also encourage every American to join together at local events
this winter as we continue our national campaign to prevent and end
homelessness.
I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my strong
support of House Concurrent Resolution 325, a concurrent resolution to
support the goals and ideals of a National Homeless Persons' Memorial
Day, in recognition of the people who have died on our streets, in
emergency shelters, condemned or abandoned properties, and from
elements directly related to homelessness.
On or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year,
National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day events have been held
nationwide every year since 1990 to remember the homeless persons whose
lives and deaths might otherwise go without any recognition.
Throughout my home state of Florida, this important day is
recognized, along with over
[[Page H7730]]
200 other local municipalities, organizations, and statewide
organizations throughout the United States holding communitywide
vigils, memorials, and service events. With the support of more than
twelve national organizations, including the National Coalition for the
Homeless, the National Consumer Advisory Board, and the National Health
Care for the Homeless Council, National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day
brings attention to the tragedy of homelessness and memorializes our
homeless neighbors and friends who have lost their lives because of our
collective failure to end homelessness.
More than half a million people in the United States do not have a
place to call home each night and half of them are without shelter.
Nationwide each year, an estimated 2,000,000 people experience
homelessness. Furthermore, the mortality rate among homeless
populations has been shown to be almost four times that of the general
population. Homelessness is expensive and can be prevented.
This resolution provides us with the opportunity to commend the
efforts of the States, territories, and possessions of the United
States who support the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons'
Memorial Day, to encouraged those not already doing so, and to salute
the dedicated professionals and organizations who provide assistance
365 days a year to people in need.
Most importantly, a national memorial day will ensure that we keep
the problem in perspective. Through all the statistics on homelessness,
all too often, we forget that numbers correspond to actual individuals
with actual lives and families.
As the 2010 Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness
declares: ``There are no `homeless people,' but rather people who have
lost their homes who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.''
In remembering those who died on the streets, the cause of ending
homelessness is kept urgent as is the Nation's collective commitment to
preventing such deaths in the future.
Mr. Speaker, we must remember their lives--men, women, and children--
and we must remember why they died.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and reaffirm
Congress' commitment to ending homelessness by promoting a
comprehensive national response that addresses the housing, health
care, income, and civil rights causal factors and consequences of
extreme poverty. Let us make this year's first night of winter and
longest night of the year, December 21, 2010, a true National Memorial
Day.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Peters) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Con. Res. 325.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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