IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 410 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should 

be established a National Weatherization Day to recognize the need 

for reducing home energy costs, particularly for low-income families, 

through the use of conservation technologies, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 28, 2005 

Mr. MEEHAN (for himself, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. 

BUTTERFIELD, Ms. CARSON, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. GILCHREST, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. HIGGINS, Mr. 

HOLDEN, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. MICHAUD, 

Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Mr. REHBERG, Mr. 

ROSS, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. SNYDER, and Mr. WATT) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government 

Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

there should be established a National Weatherization 

Day to recognize the need for reducing home energy 

costs, particularly for low-income families, through the 

use of conservation technologies, and for other purposes. 

Whereas Congress has long recognized the plight of low-income families and individuals in meeting their home energy needs; 

Whereas low income households, particularly those with elderly persons, persons with disabilities, or small children, 
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•HRES 410 IH 

spend an average of more than 14 percent of their annual income on energy, compared with 3.5 percent in 

households that are not low income households; 

Whereas the Department of Energy developed the Weatherization Assistance Program in 1976 to help reduce energy costs, while maintaining health and safety, for lowincome families through increased home energy efficiency; 

Whereas the weatherization program operates in all 50 States 

and the District of Columbia and serves low-income families in owned or rented homes; 

Whereas investment in the weatherization program by the 

Federal Government and other sources supports more 

than 25,000 jobs across the country within related industries; 

Whereas for every $1 invested in the weatherization program, 

low-income families receive a total of $2.78 in benefits, 

$1.30 in energy-related benefits and $1.48 in other benefits, including reductions of pollution, unemployment, and 

adverse health concerns; 

Whereas based on current fuel costs, low-income families save 

an average of $350 each year on their energy bills after 

their homes have been weatherized, thereby avoiding one 

metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions annually and lessening the need for imported oil; 

Whereas by decreasing the amount of personal income spent 

on home energy, the weatherization program makes housing more affordable, reduces cases of homelessness, and 

lowers the demand for public assistance; 

Whereas many States have adopted October 30 of each year 

as Weatherization Day to draw attention to the accomplishments of the weatherization program in low-income 
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•HRES 410 IH 

communities while emphasizing the importance of conservation technologies in increasing home energy efficiency; 

Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes this practice as ideal for focusing attention on the essential activities of the weatherization program; and 

Whereas October 30 would be an appropriate day to establish 

as National Weatherization Day: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that— 

3 (1) there should be established a National 

4 Weatherization Day to recognize the need for reduc5 ing home energy costs, particularly for low-income 

6 families, through the use of conservation tech7 nologies; and 

8 (2) the President should issue a proclamation 

9 calling on the people of the United States to observe 

10 National Weatherization Day with appropriate pro11 grams and activities. 

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