IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 975 
Expressing support for a national day of mourning, a recurring moment 
of silence in the House of Representatives, and a national memorial 
for American civilians killed by COVID–19. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 22, 2020 
Ms. HAALAND (for herself, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, and Ms. BLUNT 
ROCHESTER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for a national day of mourning, a recur-
ring moment of silence in the House of Representatives, 
and a national memorial for American civilians killed 
by COVID–19. 
Whereas the writer and history professor Dr. Micki McElya, 
in her May 15, 2020, perspective piece in the Washington 
Post, highlighted the stark absence of national mourning 
for American lives lost to COVID–19, and the rightful 
ownership of these lives to the American fabric and com-
munity soul; 
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Whereas the national death toll from the scourge of COVID– 
19 throughout the United States rapidly approaches 
100,000 less than 5 months since its arrival; 
Whereas the United States dutifully and unquestioningly hon-
ors its military dead and those who have died by mass 
violence, through national mourning, prayer, and mo-
ments of silence; 
Whereas the United States understands the importance of 
collective and unified mourning of its dead in times of 
war, and the institution of grief must continue and be ac-
knowledged during this domestic fight; 
Whereas President Donald J. Trump has declared the coun-
try ‘‘at war’’, and that all Americans are ‘‘warriors’’ in 
the face of this common and invisible enemy; 
Whereas the United States is defined by its unified national 
front and has always offered ubiquitous mourning in 
times of national grief and loss, and this pillar of Amer-
ican society must not be lost on the fallen who have 
touched many thousands of lives across our country; 
Whereas the virus has disproportionately impacted specific 
groups of people, namely, immigrants, people of color, 
Native Americans, African Americans, Asian American 
Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, the disabled, the elderly, the 
chronically ill, and the poor and underpaid; 
Whereas when Americans have historically come together to 
address, mourn, and love, this unified spirit, which tran-
scends ideological lines, has always conquered the dead-
liest of threats; and 
Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic calls for this unity, as it 
is the actions of a collaborative and focused government 
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that will lift Americans from this crisis: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved, That— 
(1) it is the sense of the House of Representa-
tives that— 
(A) when such time occurs that the 
COVID–19 pandemic has been declared ended 
by the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion, the House of Representatives recommends 
a national day of mourning to honor the lives 
lost due to COVID–19; 
(B) until such a time when the COVID–19 
pandemic has been declared ended by the Cen-
ters for Disease Control and Prevention, each 
time the United States House floor opens, a 
moment of silence shall commence; and 
(C) when such time occurs that the 
COVID–19 pandemic has been declared ended 
by the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion, a national memorial to those who lost 
their lives due to COVID–19 should be estab-
lished at a location to be determined; 
(2) the House of Representatives commends the 
courageous and patriotic health care, essential serv-
ice, and all frontline workers serving the Nation in 
the midst of this global pandemic; and 
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(3) the House of Representatives offers its 
deepest sincere condolences to the victims and their 
families, with a determination to never let them be 
forgotten. 
Æ 
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