H. Res. 207
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
June 22, 1999.
Whereas, while the steady economic growth and low inflation
in the United States has yielded unprecedented pros-
perity, many American citizens have not benefited from
this prosperity and continue to be socioeconomically dis-
advantaged;
Whereas millions of our fellow citizens who live in the inner
cities and rural communities continue to be plagued by
social breakdown, economic disadvantage, and edu-
cational failure that fosters hopelessness and despair;
Whereas our most intractable pathologies—crime, drug addic-
tion, teen pregnancy, homelessness, and youth violence—
are each being addressed by small, and sometimes unrec-
ognized, community- or faith-based organizations, whose
expertise should not be ignored;
Whereas these nonprofit organizations have local experts who
are moving individuals from dependency to self-suffi-
ciency and restoring the lives of men, women, and fami-
lies across the country;
Whereas many community- and faith-based organizations are
offering the American public a new vision of compassion,
designed to encourage volunteerism, strengthen the com-
munity, and care for the poor and vulnerable;
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Whereas private sector investment in capital development—
social and economic—in the most poverty stricken pock-
ets across the country is key to long-term renewal of
urban centers and distressed rural communities;
Whereas economic growth attracts new businesses, provides
stability to neighborhoods, as well as provides jobs that
yield income to support families and nurture self-respect;
Whereas over 100 bipartisan Members of Congress have co-
sponsored H.R. 815, the American Community Renewal
Act, which targets the 100 poorest communities in the
Nation for pro-growth tax benefits, regulatory relief,
brownfields cleanup, and home-ownership opportunities
that combine to create jobs, hope, and a sense of commu-
nity;
Whereas the President and the Vice President, along with
congressional organizations such as the Renewal Alliance,
have recognized the importance of community renewal
and have recently promoted strategies designed to rebuild
communities to empower faith-based organizations on the
front lines of renewal in our country; and
Whereas a concerted effort to empower community institu-
tions, encourage community renewal, and implement edu-
cational reform will help those who reside in inner cities
and distressed rural communities to gain their share of
America’s prosperity: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) extends gratitude to the private nonprofit orga-
nizations and volunteers whose commitment to meet
human needs in areas of poverty is key to long-term re-
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newal of urban centers and distressed rural commu-
nities;
(2) seeks to empower the strengths of America’s
communities, local leaders, and mediating institutions
such as its families, schools, spiritual leaders, businesses
and nonprofit organizations;
(3) should work to empower community- and faith-
based organizations to promote effective solutions to the
social, financial, and emotional needs of urban centers
and rural communities, and the long-term solutions to
the problems faced by our culture; and
(4) should work with the Senate and the President
to support a compassionate grassroots approach to ad-
dressing the family, economic, and cultural breakdown
that plagues many of our Nation’s urban and rural com-
munities.
Attest:
Clerk.