IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 591 
Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the contributions 
made by America’s community banks to the Nation’s economic well- 
being and prosperity and the sense of the House of Representatives 
that a month should be designated as ‘‘Community Banking Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 31, 2004 
Mr. BACHUS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Financial Services 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives 
for the contributions made by America’s community 
banks to the Nation’s economic well-being and prosperity 
and the sense of the House of Representatives that a 
month should be designated as ‘‘Community Banking 
Month’’. 
Whereas, since our Nation’s founding, community banks have 
supported their communities as they prospered and grew, 
and today more than 8,700 community banks continue 
the tradition of giving back to their local communities 
through nearly 40,000 banking offices; 
Whereas, with more than $2,275,000,000,000 in assets, com-
munity banks know that when money stays in town it be-
comes a renewable resource, creating an economic cycle
•HRES 591 IH 
that constantly revitalizes and stimulates local commu-
nities; 
Whereas community banks are working citizens in their com-
munities in every sense of the word with more than 
514,000 full-time and part-time employees; 
Whereas these banks have made significant contributions to 
the economic well-being of our Nation through their fi-
nancial support, their dedication as good neighbors and, 
above all, their service as financially sound and reliable 
sources of economic lifeblood in our communities; 
Whereas the Nation’s community banks focus on the pros-
perity of individuals and small businesses in their home-
towns and have reinvested, on average, 95 percent of 
their loan portfolio in their own communities through 
home mortgages and small business, agricultural, and 
student loans; 
Whereas community banks play a significant role in local eco-
nomic development efforts by financing new businesses 
and stimulating the economy to produce jobs and new op-
portunities and, as a group, they contribute an important 
and strong part of the Nation’s economic fabric; 
Whereas community banks have made nearly 3,160,000 loans 
to small businesses, totaling over $275,500,000,000 and 
nearly 720,500 loans to small farms, totaling nearly 
$37,500,000,000; 
Whereas community banks also enjoy the trust of their cus-
tomers; indeed, community banks are just neighbors are 
helping neighbors build their homes, save for higher edu-
cation, plan for retirement and fulfill other dreams; and 
Whereas community banks have long helped in the develop-
ment of our communities and the Nation as a whole, and
•HRES 591 IH 
are fully prepared to make many more contributions: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That— 
(1) the House of Representatives expresses its 
gratitude for the contributions made by America’s 
community banks to the Nation’s economic well- 
being and prosperity; and 
(2) it is the sense of the House of Representa-
tives that— 
(A) a ‘‘Community Banking Month’’ 
should be designated to raise public awareness 
of, and public appreciation for, the contribu-
tions of the helpful institutions that are our 
Nation’s community banks; and 
(B) the President should issue a proclama-
tion calling on the people of the United States 
to observe the month with appropriate pro-
grams and activities. 
Æ