H. Res. 1499 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 27, 2008. 

Whereas it is estimated that over 120,000,000 Americans do 

not have up-to-date estate plans to protect themselves or 

their families in the event of sickness, accidents, or untimely death; 

Whereas a 2004 Roper poll commissioned by the American 

Institute for Certified Public Accountants found that 

two-thirds of Americans over age 65 believe they lack the 

knowledge necessary to adequately plan for retirement, 

and nearly one half of all Americans are unfamiliar with 

basic retirement tools, such as a 401(k) plan; 

Whereas careful estate planning can greatly assist Americans 

in preserving assets built over a lifetime for the benefit 

of family, heirs, or charities; 

Whereas estate planning involves many considerations, including safekeeping of important documents, documentation of assets, operation of law in the various States, 

preparation of legal instruments, insurance, availability 

of trust arrangements, charitable giving, inter vivos care 

of the benefactor, and other important factors; 

Whereas estate planning encourages timely decisions about 

the method of holding title to certain assets, the designa-
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tion of beneficiaries, and the possible transfer of assets 

during the life of the benefactor; 

Whereas many Americans are unaware that lack of estate 

planning and ‘‘financial illiteracy’’ may cause their assets 

to be disposed of to unintended parties by default 

through the complex process of probate; 

Whereas alternatives to disposition of assets after death, such 

as planned gift-giving, may accomplish a benefactor’s 

goal of providing for his or her family and favorite charities; 

Whereas careful planning can prevent family members or 

other beneficiaries from being subjected to complex legal 

and administrative processes requiring significant expenditure of time, and greatly reduce confusion or even 

animosity among family members or other heirs upon the 

death of a loved one; 

Whereas important considerations as to donation of organs 

and use of life support functions may be made through 

the estate planning process; 

Whereas the implementation of an estate plan starts with 

sound education and planning, and then may require the 

proper drafting and execution of appropriate legal documents, including wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney for health care; 

Whereas the third week of October should be designated as 

‘‘National Estate Planning Awareness Week’’; and 

Whereas the National Association of Estate Planners and 

Councils, representing over 28,000 estate planning professionals, together with the Universal Press Syndicate, 

the largest independent newspaper syndicate in the world, 

are prepared to provide such educational information to 
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the public in a focused manner during National Estate 

Planning Awareness Week: Now, therefore be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) encourages the distribution of estate planning 

information by professionals to all Americans; and 

(2) supports the designation of a ‘‘National Estate 

Planning Awareness Week’’. 

Attest: 

Clerk.