IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 873 
Expressing support for designating November 2023 as ‘‘National Career 
Development Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 15, 2023 
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania (for himself and Ms. BONAMICI) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Edu-
cation and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designating November 2023 as 
‘‘National Career Development Month’’. 
Whereas November 2023 marks the 110th year that the Na-
tional Career Development Association is committed to 
its mission of inspiring and empowering individuals to 
achieve their career and life goals; 
Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who 
make informed career choices to prepare for skilled pro-
fessions; 
Whereas preparation for a purposeful career path helps to en-
sure gainful employment best utilizing one’s skills and 
talent, while providing potential employers with a well- 
prepared workforce ready to meet the challenges of the 
global marketplace; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:55 Nov 15, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR873.IH
HR873
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 873 IH 
Whereas career development programs enable students to 
gain a realistic understanding of how formal education 
prepares them for post-high school plans, which may in-
clude immediate employment in a civilian or military oc-
cupation, or further education at a career and technical 
education program, community college, or university; 
Whereas career development activities in our communities 
contribute to lower unemployment as people identify ca-
reers that match their interests and desired work envi-
ronments; 
Whereas freedom of occupational and career choice is one of 
the most important birthrights of every United States cit-
izen, and this freedom will be protected and enhanced 
throughout life; 
Whereas professional career development assistance, includ-
ing career counseling, should be available to all persons 
throughout their lifespans; 
Whereas career development assistance is a community part-
nership effort involving the education system, the home 
and family structure, business, industry, and a wide vari-
ety of community agencies and organizations, and is not 
carried out by career development professionals alone; 
Whereas the right to change occupations or career directions 
is fully as important as the right to choose an occupation 
or career direction; 
Whereas accurate, up-to-date information about educational 
and occupational opportunities is vital; 
Whereas helping individuals increase self-understanding of 
their abilities, interests, values, and goals is a vital foun-
dation of the career development process; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:55 Nov 15, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR873.IH
HR873
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 873 IH 
Whereas career professionals help to provide career develop-
ment services to inspire and empower our citizens’ atten-
tion to where it is needed most: empowering the national 
economy through maximum individual productivity; 
Whereas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 
September 2023, 6,400,000 workers are unemployed; 
Whereas career professionals help the United States worker 
meet the very real and immediate challenges of economic 
development, student achievement, and global competi-
tiveness; 
Whereas career professionals are a vital resource for the live-
lihood of our Nation’s workforce and are underutilized 
relative to their potential need and value; 
Whereas a Harris Interactive Poll, conducted in partnership 
with the National Career Development Association, exam-
ined the perceptions of today’s workforce on the effective-
ness of career counselors, the need for expanded work-
force training opportunities, and the hardships implicit in 
selecting, changing, or getting a job in the current eco-
nomic climate, and the feedback is very clear; and 
Whereas the 2021 Harris Interactive Poll results revealed 
that— 
(1) only 13 percent of adults report that they had 
worked with a career specialist such as a school or pri-
vate counselor, but 85 percent of Americans find profes-
sional career development assistance valuable; and 
(2) 58 percent of Americans regret not having 
worked with a career services professional in the past: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:55 Nov 15, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR873.IH
HR873
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HRES 873 IH 
(1) expresses support for the designation of 
‘‘National Career Development Month’’; 
(2) affirms that career professionals are a valu-
able resource for the Nation’s workforce; 
(3) recognizes career development activities in-
crease competencies needed for success in a global 
economy; 
(4) urges workers and jobseekers to utilize the 
services of career professionals; and 
(5) encourages career professionals, students, 
educators, parents, employers, and the current work-
force to celebrate and promote career development. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:55 Nov 15, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR873.IH
HR873
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB