IV 

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; 


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•HRES 717 IH 

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; 


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•HRES 717 IH 

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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 

3 Passport Month’’; 

4 (2) requests that the President issue a procla5 mation calling on the Federal Government, States, 

6 localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, busi7 nesses, other entities, and the people of the United 

8 States to observe ‘‘National Passport Month’’ with 

9 appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; 

10 and 

11 (3) encourages media organizations to partici12 pate in ‘‘National Passport Month’’ and to help in13 form the people of the United States about the im14 portance of obtaining passports. 

Æ 


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