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, under-
stand 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 high-
lights 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 glob-
al 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 con-
sumer events, including the annual National Consumer 
Protection Week Fair; 
Whereas National Consumer Protection Week partner organi-
zations 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 organi-
zations throughout the United States are working to in-
crease 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of the 11th 
Annual National Consumer Protection Week, includ-
ing raising public awareness about the importance of 
consumer protection; 
(2) encourages people across the United States 
to take advantage of the wealth of consumer protec-
tion information that can enhance confidence in the 
marketplace; and 
(3) requests that the President issue a procla-
mation recognizing the 11th Annual National Con-
sumer Protection Week calling upon the Federal 
Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit or-
ganizations, community-based institutions, consumer 
advocates, and industry leaders to provide citizens 
with the information necessary to effectively protect 
themselves against consumer fraud, and encourage 
all people to take an active role in protecting their 
personal information. 
Æ 
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