[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

[[Page H7729]]

     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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