H. Res. 537 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

March 10, 2008. 

Whereas 9–1–1 is nationally recognized as the number to call 

in an emergency to receive immediate help from police, 

fire, emergency medical services, or other appropriate 

emergency response entities; 

Whereas in 1967, the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice recommended 

that a ‘‘single number should be established’’ nationwide 

for reporting emergency situations, and other Federal 

Government agencies and various governmental officials 

also supported and encouraged the recommendation; 

Whereas in 1968, the American Telephone and Telegraph 

Company (AT&T) announced that it would establish the 

digits 9–1–1 as the emergency code throughout the 

United States; 

Whereas 9–1–1 was designated by Congress as the national 

emergency call number under the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (Public Law 106– 

81); 

Whereas the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 (Public Law 108– 

494) established enhanced 9–1–1 as ‘‘a high national priority’’ as part of our Nation’s homeland security and 

public safety; 
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•HRES 537 EH 

Whereas it is important that policy makers at all levels of 

government understand the importance of 9–1–1, how 

the system works today, and the steps that are needed 

to modernize the 9–1–1 system; 

Whereas the 9–1–1 system is the connection between the eyes 

and ears of the public and emergency responders, and is 

a significant homeland security asset; 

Whereas there are over 6,000 9–1–1 public safety answering 

points (SAPS) serving more than 3,000 counties and 

parishes throughout the United States; 

Whereas SAPS answer more than 200,000,000 9–1–1 calls 

each year in the United States, and a growing number 

of 9–1–1 calls are made using wireless and Internet Protocol-based communications services; 

Whereas a growing segment of the population, including the 

deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind, and individuals 

with speech disabilities, are increasingly communicating 

with nontraditional text, video, and instant messaging 

communications services, and anticipate that these services will be able to connect directly to 9–1–1; 

Whereas the growth and variety of means of communication, 

including mobile and Internet Protocol-based systems, 

impose challenges for accessing 9–1–1 and implementing 

enhanced 9–1–1, and require increased education and 

awareness about their capabilities and limitations; 

Whereas numerous other N–1–1 and 800 number services 

exist for non-emergency situations, including 2–1–1, 3– 

1–1, 5–1–1, 7–1–1, 8–1–1, poison control centers, and 

mental health hotlines, and the public needs to be educated on when to use these services in addition to or instead of 9–1–1; 
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•HRES 537 EH 

Whereas international visitors and individuals immigrating to 

the United States make up an increasing part of the Nation’s population in any given year, and such visitors and 

individuals may have limited knowledge of our emergency 

calling system; 

Whereas people of all ages use 9–1–1, and it is critical to 

educate members of the public of all ages on the proper 

use of 9–1–1; 

Whereas thousands of 9–1–1 calls are made every year by 

children properly trained in the use of 9–1–1, resulting 

in lives saved, and which, in turn, underscores the critical 

importance of training children early in life about 9–1– 

1; 

Whereas there is a need to reduce the widespread misuse of 

the 9–1–1 system, including prank and non-emergency 

calls, which can result in costly and inefficient use of 9– 

1–1 and emergency response resources; 

Whereas we as a Nation should strive to host at least 1 educational event in every school in the country each year regarding the proper use of 9–1–1; 

Whereas an established National 9–1–1 Education Month 

could include public awareness events, including conferences and media outreach, training activities for parents, teachers, school administrators, care givers, children, the elderly, and businesses; educational events in 

schools and other appropriate venues; and production and 

distribution of educational content on 9–1–1 designed to 

educate people of all ages on the importance and proper 

use of 9–1–1; and 

Whereas Americans deserve the finest the Nation can offer 

in 9–1–1 education: Now, therefore, be it 
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•HRES 537 EH 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the designation of an appropriate 

month as ‘‘National 9–1–1 Education Month’’ and the 

goals of such designation; and 

(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation— 

(A) designating a month as ‘‘National 9–1–1 

Education Month’’; and 

(B) calling upon Government officials, parents, 

teachers, school administrators, care givers, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the people of 

the United States to observe such month with appropriate ceremonies, training events, and activities. 

Attest: 

Clerk.