H. Res. 537 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
March 10, 2008. 
Whereas 9–1–1 is nationally recognized as the number to call 
in an emergency to receive immediate help from police, 
fire, emergency medical services, or other appropriate 
emergency response entities; 
Whereas in 1967, the President’s Commission on Law En-
forcement and Administration of Justice recommended 
that a ‘‘single number should be established’’ nationwide 
for reporting emergency situations, and other Federal 
Government agencies and various governmental officials 
also supported and encouraged the recommendation; 
Whereas in 1968, the American Telephone and Telegraph 
Company (AT&T) announced that it would establish the 
digits 9–1–1 as the emergency code throughout the 
United States; 
Whereas 9–1–1 was designated by Congress as the national 
emergency call number under the Wireless Communica-
tions and Public Safety Act of 1999 (Public Law 106– 
81); 
Whereas the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 (Public Law 108– 
494) established enhanced 9–1–1 as ‘‘a high national pri-
ority’’ as part of our Nation’s homeland security and 
public safety;
•HRES 537 EH 
Whereas it is important that policy makers at all levels of 
government understand the importance of 9–1–1, how 
the system works today, and the steps that are needed 
to modernize the 9–1–1 system; 
Whereas the 9–1–1 system is the connection between the eyes 
and ears of the public and emergency responders, and is 
a significant homeland security asset; 
Whereas there are over 6,000 9–1–1 public safety answering 
points (SAPS) serving more than 3,000 counties and 
parishes throughout the United States; 
Whereas SAPS answer more than 200,000,000 9–1–1 calls 
each year in the United States, and a growing number 
of 9–1–1 calls are made using wireless and Internet Pro-
tocol-based communications services; 
Whereas a growing segment of the population, including the 
deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind, and individuals 
with speech disabilities, are increasingly communicating 
with nontraditional text, video, and instant messaging 
communications services, and anticipate that these serv-
ices will be able to connect directly to 9–1–1; 
Whereas the growth and variety of means of communication, 
including mobile and Internet Protocol-based systems, 
impose challenges for accessing 9–1–1 and implementing 
enhanced 9–1–1, and require increased education and 
awareness about their capabilities and limitations; 
Whereas numerous other N–1–1 and 800 number services 
exist for non-emergency situations, including 2–1–1, 3– 
1–1, 5–1–1, 7–1–1, 8–1–1, poison control centers, and 
mental health hotlines, and the public needs to be edu-
cated on when to use these services in addition to or in-
stead of 9–1–1;
•HRES 537 EH 
Whereas international visitors and individuals immigrating to 
the United States make up an increasing part of the Na-
tion’s population in any given year, and such visitors and 
individuals may have limited knowledge of our emergency 
calling system; 
Whereas people of all ages use 9–1–1, and it is critical to 
educate members of the public of all ages on the proper 
use of 9–1–1; 
Whereas thousands of 9–1–1 calls are made every year by 
children properly trained in the use of 9–1–1, resulting 
in lives saved, and which, in turn, underscores the critical 
importance of training children early in life about 9–1– 
1; 
Whereas there is a need to reduce the widespread misuse of 
the 9–1–1 system, including prank and non-emergency 
calls, which can result in costly and inefficient use of 9– 
1–1 and emergency response resources; 
Whereas we as a Nation should strive to host at least 1 edu-
cational event in every school in the country each year re-
garding the proper use of 9–1–1; 
Whereas an established National 9–1–1 Education Month 
could include public awareness events, including con-
ferences and media outreach, training activities for par-
ents, teachers, school administrators, care givers, chil-
dren, the elderly, and businesses; educational events in 
schools and other appropriate venues; and production and 
distribution of educational content on 9–1–1 designed to 
educate people of all ages on the importance and proper 
use of 9–1–1; and 
Whereas Americans deserve the finest the Nation can offer 
in 9–1–1 education: Now, therefore, be it
•HRES 537 EH 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of an appropriate 
month as ‘‘National 9–1–1 Education Month’’ and the 
goals of such designation; and 
(2) requests that the President issue a proclama-
tion— 
(A) designating a month as ‘‘National 9–1–1 
Education Month’’; and 
(B) calling upon Government officials, parents, 
teachers, school administrators, care givers, busi-
nesses, nonprofit organizations, and the people of 
the United States to observe such month with ap-
propriate ceremonies, training events, and activities. 
Attest: 
Clerk.