IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 755
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care Residents’ 
Rights Week and recognizing the importance to the Nation of residents 
of long-term care facilities, including senior citizens and individuals living 
with disabilities. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 7, 2004
Mr. WAXMAN (for himself, Mr. MCHUGH, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. DINGELL, 
Mr. RANGEL, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. CLAY, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. 
MCDERMOTT, Mr. OWENS, and Mr. SNYDER) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care 
Residents’ Rights Week and recognizing the importance 
to the Nation of residents of long-term care facilities, 
including senior citizens and individuals living with dis-
abilities.
Whereas there are nearly 1.7 million individuals living in 
17,000 nursing homes and 1 million individuals living in 
46,000 board and care and assisted living facilities in the 
United States; 
Whereas residents of long-term care facilities, including sen-
ior citizens and individuals living with disabilities, are one 
of the Nation’s most valued resources;
•HRES 755 IH 
Whereas residents of long-term care facilities include the 
‘‘Greatest Generation’’ of Americans who protected our 
freedoms in World War II and helped rebuild the world 
in the postwar years; 
Whereas almost 160,000 people younger than 65 years of age 
live in the Nation’s nursing homes; 
Whereas the Nation should honor and celebrate long-term 
care residents, recognize their rich individuality, and re-
affirm their rights as community members and citizens, 
including the right to vote; 
Whereas the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 
guaranteed important rights, such as the right to privacy, 
the right to be treated with dignity, the right to exercise 
self-determination, the right to participate in the review 
of one’s care plan, the right to be fully informed in ad-
vance of any changes in treatment, and the right to voice 
grievances without discrimination or reprisal; 
Whereas long-term care ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facil-
ity staff, and family and resident councils work to edu-
cate and empower residents in the exercise of their 
rights; 
Whereas the week beginning October 3, 2004, should be cele-
brated as National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights 
Week; 
Whereas in recognition of National Long-Term Care Resi-
dents’ Rights Week, individuals and groups around the 
country will be affirming the importance of quality of 
care and quality of life for long-term care residents; and 
Whereas National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Week 
originated in 1980, with resolutions introduced by Rep-
resentative Claude Pepper and Senator David Pryor to
•HRES 755 IH 
designate a Nursing Home Residents Day: Now, there-
fore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National 
Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Week; 
(2) recognizes the importance to the Nation of 
residents of long-term care facilities, including senior 
citizens and individuals living with disabilities; and 
(3) encourages the President to issue a procla-
mation calling upon the people of the United States 
to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies 
and activities to demonstrate the importance of long-
term care residents to our everyday lives.
Æ