IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 198 
Expressing support for the designation of May 7 as National Information 
and Referral Services Day. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 26, 2009 
Mr. TERRY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of May 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 more than 35 years since the 1973 reauthoriza-
tion of the Older Americans Act of 1965 and subse-
quently included the establishment of the national 
Eldercare Locator and the development of the Aging and 
Disability Resource Center; 
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•HRES 198 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 centers, 
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; 
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; and 
Whereas requests for assistance through Information and Re-
ferral and 2–1–1’s have increased across the country due 
to the economic crisis: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 198 IH 
(1) expresses support for the designation of a 
National Information and Referral Services Day to 
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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