```

[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 717 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 717

    Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Passport Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2009

  Ms. Lee of California submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Passport Month''.

Whereas through international travel, people of the United States can 
        individually play a major role towards improving foreign relations by 
        building bridges and making connections with citizens of other 
        countries;
Whereas interacting with the global community inspires United States citizens to 
        reflect on the diverse multi-cultural background that has defined the 
        Nation as a great country of cooperation and progress;
Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad creates connections and promotes 
        understanding with the global community, supporting goodwill throughout 
        the world, and opening the doors to increased peace, tolerance, and 
        acceptance;
Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad opens up a preponderance of 
        educational opportunities and experiences for people in the United 
        States of all ages;
Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad enables United States citizens to 
        see first-hand the effect of the Nation on the world, including the 
        tremendous amount of humanitarian aid given by the United States through 
        both public and private sectors;
Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad reminds people in the United 
        States that they are members of a global family and gives them 
        opportunities to mend rifts around the world;
Whereas fewer than 25 percent of eligible people in the United States have 
        passports, thereby limiting their ability to travel outside the United 
        States;
Whereas in 2008, the number of passports issued to people of the United States 
        dropped significantly for the first time in nearly 20 years, indicating 
        a need for renewed focus on obtaining passports;
Whereas the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has created new requirements 
        for citizens traveling by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and 
        the Caribbean;
Whereas the State Department has recently introduced the Passport Card to 
        provide a new method of identification for citizens traveling by land or 
        sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean;
Whereas the more United States citizens travel abroad, the more they will 
        experience opportunities to increase their understanding of the world 
        and the role the United States plays in it;
Whereas the creation and support of a ``National Passport Month'' signals to 
        people in the United States the important role they can play as 
        ambassadors for the Nation by serving as agents of understanding, 
        tolerance, and mutual respect; and
Whereas travel publishers along with travel editors from the most prestigious 
        media outlets in the United States, student travel organizations, and 
        book sellers have designated September as ``National Passport Month'' to 
        educate the public about the importance of having a passport and the 
        positive impact international travel has on individuals: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Passport 
        Month'';
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, 
        nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the 
        people of the United States to observe ``National Passport 
        Month'' with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; 
        and
            (3) encourages media organizations to participate in 
        ``National Passport Month'' and to help inform the people of 
        the United States about the importance of obtaining passports.
                                 <all>
```