IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 985 
Expressing support for the designation of March 7 as National Information 
and Referral Services Day. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 13, 2008 
Mr. TERRY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of March 7 as 
National Information and Referral Services Day. 
Whereas information and referral (I&R) services link the con-
sumer with a need or problem with the most appropriate 
service that can address that need or solve that problem; 
Whereas quality I&R services are the keystone point of entry 
to the entire human services structure delivery system; 
Whereas I&R services have been recognized in Federal legis-
lation for 35 years since the 1973 reauthorization of the 
Older Americans Act of 1965 and subsequently included 
the establishment of the national Eldercare Locator and 
the development of the Aging and Disability Resource 
Center; 
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•HRES 985 IH 
Whereas the United States is currently served by information 
and referral through 2–1–1 programs, aging I&R serv-
ices, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, child care 
resource and referral services, military family center, and 
other specialty I&R services; 
Whereas informed individuals who understand the variety of 
services available are better equipped to make decisions; 
Whereas in 1997, the National 2–1–1 Initiative was estab-
lished with the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, cre-
ating the first 24-hour telephone information and referral 
service using the easy-to-remember 2–1–1 dialing code 
for access; 
Whereas in 2000, the Federal Communications Commission 
reserved the 2–1–1 dialing code for community informa-
tion and referral services, intended as an easy-to-remem-
ber and universally recognizable number that would act 
as a vital connection between individuals and families in 
need and appropriate community-based organizations and 
government agencies, including in times of disaster; 
Whereas the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems 
has 
been 
providing 
professional 
standards 
and 
credentialing programs for those operating I&R services; 
and 
Whereas expanding access to information about and referrals 
to services provides individuals with lower-cost and safer 
options for managing their needs, and is likely to reduce 
confusion, frustration, and inaccessibility to services: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the designation of a 
National Information and Referral Services Day to 
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•HRES 985 IH 
raise public awareness about the existence and im-
portance of information and referral services avail-
able to all Americans and to more effectively target 
these services to reach those most in need; 
(2) supports activities in communities across 
the Nation involving schools, nonprofit organiza-
tions, businesses, and other entities to ensure infor-
mation and referral services are part of everyday 
life, including emergency preparedness; and 
(3) reaffirms the importance of clear and con-
sistent professional standards to govern every aspect 
of quality information and referral services. 
Æ 
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