IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 179 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the 11th Annual National Consumer 

Protection Week. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 23, 2009 

Mr. HINOJOSA (for himself and Mrs. BIGGERT) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the 11th Annual National 

Consumer Protection Week. 

Whereas informed consumers are better equipped to see 

through fraud and deception, whether in the form of 

questionable claims in an advertisement, offers that come 

in the mail or e-mail, or schemes designed to appear to 

be risk-free; 

Whereas the Federal Government provides information to 

help consumers shop for a mortgage or auto loan, understand and reconcile credit card statements and utility 

bills, choose savings and retirement plans, compare 

health insurance policies, understand their credit report 

and how it affects their ability to get credit and on what 

terms, and simply decide how to pay for a purchase; 


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•HRES 179 IH 

Whereas National Consumer Protection Week annually highlights consumer protection and education efforts across 

the country; 

Whereas the theme of National Consumer Protection Week 

2009 is ‘‘Nuts and Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy’’, 

which highlights consumer education efforts across the 

Nation that are particularly vital during the current global financial crisis; 

Whereas more than 100 Federal agencies have collaborated 

on a website, www.consumer.gov, which provides helpful 

information ranging from how credit reports work to how 

to buy a new home and provides consumers with the tools 

they need to protect themselves and make smart choices 

in today’s market; 

Whereas the Federal Trade Commission collects consumer 

complaints about identity theft, fraud, debt collection, 

and other consumer issues, and in 2008 collected over 

1.2 million consumer complaints, more than half of which 

were fraud complaints that resulted in consumers losing 

over $1.8 billion; 

Whereas the Federal Trade Commission and other agencies 

collaborate with the Financial and Economic Literacy 

Caucus of the House of Representatives on various consumer events, including the annual National Consumer 

Protection Week Fair; 

Whereas National Consumer Protection Week partner organizations have tips on a wide range of topics, from how to 

get a free credit report, spot a telemarketing scam, avoid 

home and auto repair scams, to how to file a consumer 

complaint with the appropriate authorities; and 


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•HRES 179 IH 

Whereas public, community-based, and private sector organizations throughout the United States are working to increase financial literacy rates and consumer protection 

for people of all ages and walks of life through a range 

of outreach efforts, including media campaigns, websites, 

and one-on-one financial counseling: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of the 11th 

3 Annual National Consumer Protection Week, includ4 ing raising public awareness about the importance of 

5 consumer protection; 

6 (2) encourages people across the United States 

7 to take advantage of the wealth of consumer protec8 tion information that can enhance confidence in the 

9 marketplace; and 

10 (3) requests that the President issue a procla11 mation recognizing the 11th Annual National Con12 sumer Protection Week calling upon the Federal 

13 Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit or14 ganizations, community-based institutions, consumer 

15 advocates, and industry leaders to provide citizens 

16 with the information necessary to effectively protect 

17 themselves against consumer fraud, and encourage 

18 all people to take an active role in protecting their 

19 personal information. 

Æ 


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