H. Res. 623 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
September 9, 2009. 
Whereas neighborhood crime is of continuing concern to the 
American people; 
Whereas child safety is a growing concern for parents and 
communities, as evidenced by several cases of missing 
and abducted children; 
Whereas homeland security remains an important priority for 
communities and the Nation; 
Whereas crime, drugs, and violence in schools is of continuing 
concern to the American people due to the recent high- 
profile incidents that have resulted in fatalities at several 
schools in the United States; 
Whereas the fight against neighborhood crime requires people 
to work together in cooperation with law enforcement 
personnel; 
Whereas neighborhood crime watch organizations effectively 
promote awareness about, and the participation of volun-
teers in, crime prevention activities at the local level; 
Whereas neighborhood crime watch groups can contribute to 
the Nation’s war on drugs by helping to prevent commu-
nities from becoming markets for drug dealers;
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Whereas neighborhood crime watch programs play an integral 
role in combating domestic terrorism by increasing vigi-
lance and awareness and encouraging citizen participa-
tion in community safety and homeland security; 
Whereas community-based programs involving law enforce-
ment, school administrators, teachers, parents, and local 
communities work effectively to reduce school violence 
and crime and promote the safety of children; 
Whereas citizens throughout the United States will take part 
in National Night Out, a unique crime prevention event 
that will demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of 
community participation in crime prevention efforts; 
Whereas over 37,000,000 people in more than 15,000 com-
munities from all 50 States, territories, District of Co-
lumbia, and military bases worldwide participated in Na-
tional Night Out in 2007; 
Whereas National Night Out will celebrate its 26th anniver-
sary on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, when citizens, busi-
nesses, local law enforcement officers, mayors, State and 
Federal officials, and others will celebrate ‘‘America’s 
Night Out Against Crime’’ and participate in events to 
support community crime prevention; 
Whereas National Night Out is supporting the Department 
of Homeland Security’s Ready campaign by handing out 
materials and educating and empowering the public on 
how to prepare for, and respond to, potential terrorist at-
tacks or other emergencies; 
Whereas National Night Out is supporting the National Child 
Identification Program, a joint partnership between the 
American Football Coaches Association and the Federal
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Bureau of Investigation, to provide identification kits to 
parents to help locate missing children; 
Whereas the National Sheriffs Association, the United States 
Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities 
have officially expressed support for National Night Out; 
and 
Whereas citizens and communities that participate on August 
4, 2009, will send a positive message to other commu-
nities and the Nation, showing their commitment to re-
duce crime and promote homeland security: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Night 
Out; and 
(2) requests that the President— 
(A) issue a proclamation calling on the people 
of the United States to conduct appropriate cere-
monies, activities, and programs to demonstrate 
support for National Night Out; 
(B) focus appropriate attention on neighbor-
hood crime prevention, community policing, and re-
duction of school crime by delivering speeches, con-
vening meetings, and directing the Administration 
to make crime reduction an important priority; and 
(C) coordinate the efforts of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency, the USA Freedom 
Corps, the Citizen Corps, the National Senior Serv-
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ice Corps, and AmeriCorps to participate in Na-
tional Night Out by supporting local efforts and 
neighborhood watches and by supporting local offi-
cials, including law enforcement personnel, to pro-
vide homeland security and combat terrorism in the 
United States. 
Attest: 
Clerk.