IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 643 

Expressing support for the designation of July 30, 2023, as ‘‘National 

Whistleblower Appreciation Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

AUGUST 1, 2023 

Ms. PORTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Oversight and Accountability 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of July 30, 2023, 

as ‘‘National Whistleblower Appreciation Day’’. 

Whereas, in 1777, before the passage of the Bill of Rights, 

10 sailors and marines blew the whistle on misconduct 

that was harmful to the United States; 

Whereas the Continental Congress unanimously supported 

the whistleblowers in words and deeds, including by releasing Government records and providing monetary assistance for the reasonable legal expenses necessary to 

prevent retaliation against the whistleblowers; 

Whereas, on July 30, 1778, in demonstration of their full 

support for whistleblowers, the Members of the Continental Congress unanimously passed the first whistleblower legislation in the United States that read, ‘‘Resolved, That it is the duty of all persons in the service 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 643 IH 

of the United States, as well as all other inhabitants 

thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or 

other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any officers or persons in the 

service of these states, which may come to their knowledge.’’; 

Whereas whistleblowers may risk their careers, jobs, and reputations by honest and good faith reporting of waste, 

fraud, and abuse to the proper authorities; 

Whereas, in providing the proper authorities with lawful disclosures, whistleblowers save the taxpayers of the United 

States billions of dollars each year and serve the public 

interest by ensuring that the United States remains an 

ethical and safe place; and 

Whereas it is the public policy of the United States to encourage, in accordance with Federal law (including the 

Constitution of the United States, rules, and regulations) 

and consistent with the protection of classified information (including sources and methods of detection of classified information), honest and good faith reporting of 

misconduct, fraud, misdemeanors, and other crimes to 

the appropriate authority at the earliest time possible: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Whis3 tleblower Appreciation Day’’; and 

4 (2) ensures that the Federal Government imple5 ments the intent of the Continental Congress, as re6 flected in the legislation enacted on July 30, 1778, 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 643 IH 

1 by encouraging each executive agency to recognize 

2 National Whistleblower Appreciation Day by— 

3 (A) informing employees, contractors work4 ing on behalf of United States taxpayers, and 

5 members of the public about the legal right of 

6 an individual to ‘‘blow the whistle’’ to the ap7 propriate authority by honest and good faith re8 porting of misconduct, fraud, misdemeanors, or 

9 other crimes; and 

10 (B) acknowledging the contributions of 

11 whistleblowers to combating waste, fraud, 

12 abuse, and violations of laws and regulations of 

13 the United States. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS