H. Res. 623 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 9, 2009. 

Whereas neighborhood crime is of continuing concern to the 

American people; 

Whereas child safety is a growing concern for parents and 

communities, as evidenced by several cases of missing 

and abducted children; 

Whereas homeland security remains an important priority for 

communities and the Nation; 

Whereas crime, drugs, and violence in schools is of continuing 

concern to the American people due to the recent highprofile incidents that have resulted in fatalities at several 

schools in the United States; 

Whereas the fight against neighborhood crime requires people 

to work together in cooperation with law enforcement 

personnel; 

Whereas neighborhood crime watch organizations effectively 

promote awareness about, and the participation of volunteers in, crime prevention activities at the local level; 

Whereas neighborhood crime watch groups can contribute to 

the Nation’s war on drugs by helping to prevent communities from becoming markets for drug dealers; 
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Whereas neighborhood crime watch programs play an integral 

role in combating domestic terrorism by increasing vigilance and awareness and encouraging citizen participation in community safety and homeland security; 

Whereas community-based programs involving law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, parents, and local 

communities work effectively to reduce school violence 

and crime and promote the safety of children; 

Whereas citizens throughout the United States will take part 

in National Night Out, a unique crime prevention event 

that will demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of 

community participation in crime prevention efforts; 

Whereas over 37,000,000 people in more than 15,000 communities from all 50 States, territories, District of Columbia, and military bases worldwide participated in National Night Out in 2007; 

Whereas National Night Out will celebrate its 26th anniversary on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, when citizens, businesses, local law enforcement officers, mayors, State and 

Federal officials, and others will celebrate ‘‘America’s 

Night Out Against Crime’’ and participate in events to 

support community crime prevention; 

Whereas National Night Out is supporting the Department 

of Homeland Security’s Ready campaign by handing out 

materials and educating and empowering the public on 

how to prepare for, and respond to, potential terrorist attacks or other emergencies; 

Whereas National Night Out is supporting the National Child 

Identification Program, a joint partnership between the 

American Football Coaches Association and the Federal 
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Bureau of Investigation, to provide identification kits to 

parents to help locate missing children; 

Whereas the National Sheriffs Association, the United States 

Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities 

have officially expressed support for National Night Out; 

and 

Whereas citizens and communities that participate on August 

4, 2009, will send a positive message to other communities and the Nation, showing their commitment to reduce crime and promote homeland security: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Night 

Out; and 

(2) requests that the President— 

(A) issue a proclamation calling on the people 

of the United States to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate 

support for National Night Out; 

(B) focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime by delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing the Administration 

to make crime reduction an important priority; and 

(C) coordinate the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the USA Freedom 

Corps, the Citizen Corps, the National Senior Serv-
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ice Corps, and AmeriCorps to participate in National Night Out by supporting local efforts and 

neighborhood watches and by supporting local officials, including law enforcement personnel, to provide homeland security and combat terrorism in the 

United States. 

Attest: 

Clerk.