IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 102 

Recognizing September 30, 2020, as a national day of mourning to recognize 

the loss of life of Americans across the country to the COVID–19 pandemic. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 11, 2020 

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing September 30, 2020, as a national day of 

mourning to recognize the loss of life of Americans 

across the country to the COVID–19 pandemic. 

Whereas the first case of COVID–19 in the United States 

was reported on January 21, 2020; 

Whereas, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency due to the spread 

of COVID–19; 

Whereas, on February 28, 2020, the first official death of an 

American from COVID–19 was reported to officials; 

Whereas further analyses reveal that there may have been 

unreported deaths due to COVID–19 as early as the beginning of February 2020, with the earliest known death 

occurring on February 6 in California; 


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•HCON 102 IH 

Whereas, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization 

declared a pandemic declaration for COVID–19; 

Whereas, on March 13, 2020, the President declared, pursuant to the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et 

seq.), that the COVID–19 pandemic constitutes a national emergency; 

Whereas in the weeks following such declaration, individuals 

in the United States followed guidance from the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention by avoiding large 

gatherings, practicing social distancing, and practicing 

good hygiene; 

Whereas the employment status of many individuals in the 

United States was changed since this period of the outbreak, bringing great levels of financial stress and suffering to such individuals; 

Whereas the schooling of children and young adults across 

the United States was greatly changed due to the elimination of in-person classes and the transition to distance 

learning models; 

Whereas, as of May 1, 2020, thousands of individuals in the 

United States have passed away due to COVID–19; 

Whereas the number of deaths in the United States due to 

COVID–19 is likely higher than the reported number due 

to the lack of posthumous testing for COVID–19; 

Whereas communities of color have faced a higher proportion 

of hospitalization and death from COVID–19 due to underlying health conditions; 

Whereas the human cost of the COVID–19 pandemic transcends mere statistics and has resulted in deeply personal 

tragedies for numerous families and communities across 

the United States and around the world; 


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•HCON 102 IH 

Whereas due to guidance by the Centers for Disease Control 

and local and State recommendations, individuals in the 

United States are limited in how they could mourn the 

loss of friends, family members, and acquaintances who 

had passed away due to COVID–19; 

Whereas a risk remains for a resurgence of cases of COVID– 

19 until a vaccine is developed, approved, and available 

for use; and 

Whereas the date of September 30, 2020, would be an appropriate day to designate as a ‘‘National Day of Mourning’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) supports the designation of a ‘‘National 

4 Day of Mourning’’; 

5 (2) recognizes, commends, and honors the self6 less dedication and bravery of fellow Americans as 

7 first responders, health care professionals, transpor8 tation personnel, and essential and frontline employ9 ees for their actions that saved countless lives in the 

10 United States during the COVID–19 pandemic; 

11 (3) recognizes the sacrifice made by millions of 

12 Americans as they observed stay-at-home orders 

13 from local, State, and national officials to help pre14 vent the spread of COVID–19; 

15 (4) recognizes that people of all faiths have 

16 been affected by the COVID–19 pandemic; 


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•HCON 102 IH 

1 (5) urges the President to issue a proclamation 

2 ordering all flags be flown at halfstaff in recognition 

3 and remembrance of the American lives lost during 

4 the COVID–19 pandemic; and 

5 (6) encourages all citizens, residents, and visi6 tors to use this day to pray, reflect on, and mourn 

7 the individuals who lost their lives due to the 

8 COVID–19 pandemic. 

Æ 


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