H. Res. 207

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

June 22, 1999.

Whereas, while the steady economic growth and low inflation

in the United States has yielded unprecedented prosperity, many American citizens have not benefited from

this prosperity and continue to be socioeconomically disadvantaged;

Whereas millions of our fellow citizens who live in the inner

cities and rural communities continue to be plagued by

social breakdown, economic disadvantage, and educational failure that fosters hopelessness and despair;

Whereas our most intractable pathologies—crime, drug addiction, teen pregnancy, homelessness, and youth violence—

are each being addressed by small, and sometimes unrecognized, community- or faith-based organizations, whose

expertise should not be ignored;

Whereas these nonprofit organizations have local experts who

are moving individuals from dependency to self-sufficiency and restoring the lives of men, women, and families across the country;

Whereas many community- and faith-based organizations are

offering the American public a new vision of compassion,

designed to encourage volunteerism, strengthen the community, and care for the poor and vulnerable;
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Whereas private sector investment in capital development—

social and economic—in the most poverty stricken pockets across the country is key to long-term renewal of

urban centers and distressed rural communities;

Whereas economic growth attracts new businesses, provides

stability to neighborhoods, as well as provides jobs that

yield income to support families and nurture self-respect;

Whereas over 100 bipartisan Members of Congress have cosponsored H.R. 815, the American Community Renewal

Act, which targets the 100 poorest communities in the

Nation for pro-growth tax benefits, regulatory relief,

brownfields cleanup, and home-ownership opportunities

that combine to create jobs, hope, and a sense of community;

Whereas the President and the Vice President, along with

congressional organizations such as the Renewal Alliance,

have recognized the importance of community renewal

and have recently promoted strategies designed to rebuild

communities to empower faith-based organizations on the

front lines of renewal in our country; and

Whereas a concerted effort to empower community institutions, encourage community renewal, and implement educational reform will help those who reside in inner cities

and distressed rural communities to gain their share of

America’s prosperity: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) extends gratitude to the private nonprofit organizations and volunteers whose commitment to meet

human needs in areas of poverty is key to long-term re-
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newal of urban centers and distressed rural communities;

(2) seeks to empower the strengths of America’s

communities, local leaders, and mediating institutions

such as its families, schools, spiritual leaders, businesses

and nonprofit organizations;

(3) should work to empower community- and faithbased organizations to promote effective solutions to the

social, financial, and emotional needs of urban centers

and rural communities, and the long-term solutions to

the problems faced by our culture; and

(4) should work with the Senate and the President

to support a compassionate grassroots approach to addressing the family, economic, and cultural breakdown

that plagues many of our Nation’s urban and rural communities.

Attest:

Clerk.