H. Res. 180 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
February 25, 2009. 
Whereas financial security is one of the most important 
issues for most Americans whether it involves saving 
enough for their children’s college education, saving for 
an unforeseen emergency, a house, or their retirement; 
Whereas personal savings as a percentage of disposable in-
come has been low, reaching a 12-month average of 0.6 
percent in 2007 before rebounding to a 12-month average 
of 1.7 percent in 2008, according to Bureau of Economic 
Analysis data; 
Whereas 43.5 percent of American families reported they did 
not save in 2007, according to the 2007 Federal Reserve 
Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances, which also found 
that less than half of the population has a savings ac-
count, one month of savings or liquid assets, much less 
the recommended 6 to 12 months worth of emergency 
savings they might need for an incident such as unex-
pected unemployment, a medical crisis, rent or a mort-
gage payment adjustment enabling them to avoid fore-
closure; 
Whereas a 2008 Survey by the Employee Benefit Research 
Institute found that there are ‘‘savers’’ and ‘‘spenders’’ 
in all income classes and almost all have the ability to
•HRES 180 EH 
build wealth through contributions to a workplace retire-
ment program, building home equity, and other savings; 
Whereas older Americans are more likely to live within 200 
percent of poverty than any other age group, according 
to the 2009 Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 
Databook, and more than 60 percent of the current el-
derly population relies on Social Security for over three- 
fourths of their annual income according to a 2009 Social 
Security Administration report on Income of the Elderly 
over Age 55, 2006, and the average savings of retirees 
remains at $50,000 according to the Federal Reserve 
Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances for 2007, and the 
current financial crisis is draining those funds; 
Whereas America Saves, managed by the Consumer Federa-
tion of America, was established 8 years ago as an an-
nual nationwide campaign that encourages consumers, es-
pecially lower-income households, to enroll as American 
Savers and establish a personal savings goal in an effort 
to build personal wealth and enhance financial security; 
Whereas America Saves now has 53 local, State and national 
campaigns working with over 500 mainstream financial 
institutions which provide no-fee or low-fee, low-opening- 
balance savings accounts that allow small savers to 
achieve success; 
Whereas government and non-government entities at the 
local, State and national levels organize America Saves 
campaigns to encourage individuals to open a savings ac-
count, participate in workplace retirement programs, and 
devise a savings plan;
•HRES 180 EH 
Whereas over 1,000 local, State, and national organizations 
have motivated more than 145,000 people to enroll as 
American Savers; and 
Whereas establishing automatic and habitual savings is a pri-
mary focus for this year’s America Saves Week, a theme 
reflected in the work of the Financial and Economic Lit-
eracy Caucus, Federal agencies, non-profits, community- 
based groups, private sector organizations, and the Em-
ployee Benefit Research Institute and its America Sav-
ings Education Councils Choose-to-Save Campaign: Now, 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the importance of savings to financial 
security; 
(2) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘America Saves 
Week’’; 
(3) acknowledges the tireless efforts of the late Con-
gresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones to eliminate preda-
tory lending, increase the nation’s savings rate, and im-
prove the overall economic situation of all those residing 
in the United States; and 
(4) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
calling on the Federal Government, States, localities, 
schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other enti-
ties, and the people of the United States to observe the 
week with appropriate programs and activities with the
•HRES 180 EH 
goal of increasing the savings rates for individuals of all 
ages and walks of life. 
Attest: 
Clerk.