IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 717 
Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘National Passport Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 31, 2009 
Ms. LEE of California submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘National Passport 
Month’’. 
Whereas through international travel, people of the United 
States can individually play a major role towards improv-
ing foreign relations by building bridges and making con-
nections with citizens of other countries; 
Whereas interacting with the global community inspires 
United States citizens to reflect on the diverse multi-cul-
tural background that has defined the Nation as a great 
country of cooperation and progress; 
Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad creates con-
nections and promotes understanding with the global 
community, supporting goodwill throughout the world, 
and opening the doors to increased peace, tolerance, and 
acceptance; 
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•HRES 717 IH 
Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad opens up a 
preponderance of educational opportunities and experi-
ences for people in the United States of all ages; 
Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad enables 
United States citizens to see first-hand the effect of the 
Nation on the world, including the tremendous amount of 
humanitarian aid given by the United States through 
both public and private sectors; 
Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad reminds peo-
ple in the United States that they are members of a glob-
al family and gives them opportunities to mend rifts 
around the world; 
Whereas fewer than 25 percent of eligible people in the 
United States have passports, thereby limiting their abil-
ity to travel outside the United States; 
Whereas in 2008, the number of passports issued to people 
of the United States dropped significantly for the first 
time in nearly 20 years, indicating a need for renewed 
focus on obtaining passports; 
Whereas the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has cre-
ated new requirements for citizens traveling by land or 
sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean; 
Whereas the State Department has recently introduced the 
Passport Card to provide a new method of identification 
for citizens traveling by land or sea from Canada, Mex-
ico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean; 
Whereas the more United States citizens travel abroad, the 
more they will experience opportunities to increase their 
understanding of the world and the role the United 
States plays in it; 
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•HRES 717 IH 
Whereas the creation and support of a ‘‘National Passport 
Month’’ signals to people in the United States the impor-
tant role they can play as ambassadors for the Nation by 
serving as agents of understanding, tolerance, and mu-
tual respect; and 
Whereas travel publishers along with travel editors from the 
most prestigious media outlets in the United States, stu-
dent travel organizations, and book sellers have des-
ignated September as ‘‘National Passport Month’’ to edu-
cate the public about the importance of having a passport 
and the positive impact international travel has on indi-
viduals: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 
Passport Month’’; 
(2) requests that the President issue a procla-
mation calling on the Federal Government, States, 
localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, busi-
nesses, other entities, and the people of the United 
States to observe ‘‘National Passport Month’’ with 
appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; 
and 
(3) encourages media organizations to partici-
pate in ‘‘National Passport Month’’ and to help in-
form the people of the United States about the im-
portance of obtaining passports. 
Æ 
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