Title: Recognizing September 30, 2020, as a national day of mourning to recognize the loss of life of Americans across the country to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution supports the designation of a National Day of Mourning and urges the President to issue a proclamation ordering all flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the lives lost due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). It also commends the efforts of health care and other frontline workers.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 102 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 102

   Recognizing September 30, 2020, as a national day of mourning to 
   recognize the loss of life of Americans across the country to the 
                           COVID-19 pandemic.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 11, 2020

  Ms. Johnson of Texas submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
       which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing September 30, 2020, as a national day of mourning to 
   recognize the loss of life of Americans across the country to the 
                           COVID-19 pandemic.

Whereas the first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 
        21, 2020;
Whereas, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global 
        health emergency due to the spread of COVID-19;
Whereas, on February 28, 2020, the first official death of an American from 
        COVID-19 was reported to officials;
Whereas further analyses reveal that there may have been unreported deaths due 
        to COVID-19 as early as the beginning of February 2020, with the 
        earliest known death occurring on February 6 in California;
Whereas, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic 
        declaration for COVID-19;
Whereas, on March 13, 2020, the President declared, pursuant to the National 
        Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that the COVID-19 pandemic 
        constitutes a national emergency;
Whereas in the weeks following such declaration, individuals in the United 
        States followed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and 
        Prevention by avoiding large gatherings, practicing social distancing, 
        and practicing good hygiene;
Whereas the employment status of many individuals in the United States was 
        changed since this period of the outbreak, bringing great levels of 
        financial stress and suffering to such individuals;
Whereas the schooling of children and young adults across the United States was 
        greatly changed due to the elimination of in-person classes and the 
        transition to distance learning models;
Whereas, as of May 1, 2020, thousands of individuals in the United States have 
        passed away due to COVID-19;
Whereas the number of deaths in the United States due to COVID-19 is likely 
        higher than the reported number due to the lack of posthumous testing 
        for COVID-19;
Whereas communities of color have faced a higher proportion of hospitalization 
        and death from COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions;
Whereas the human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic transcends mere statistics and 
        has resulted in deeply personal tragedies for numerous families and 
        communities across the United States and around the world;
Whereas due to guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and local and State 
        recommendations, individuals in the United States are limited in how 
        they could mourn the loss of friends, family members, and acquaintances 
        who had passed away due to COVID-19;
Whereas a risk remains for a resurgence of cases of COVID-19 until a vaccine is 
        developed, approved, and available for use; and
Whereas the date of September 30, 2020, would be an appropriate day to designate 
        as a ``National Day of Mourning'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the designation of a ``National Day of 
        Mourning'';
            (2) recognizes, commends, and honors the selfless 
        dedication and bravery of fellow Americans as first responders, 
        health care professionals, transportation personnel, and 
        essential and frontline employees for their actions that saved 
        countless lives in the United States during the COVID-19 
        pandemic;
            (3) recognizes the sacrifice made by millions of Americans 
        as they observed stay-at-home orders from local, State, and 
        national officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19;
            (4) recognizes that people of all faiths have been affected 
        by the COVID-19 pandemic;
            (5) urges the President to issue a proclamation ordering 
        all flags be flown at halfstaff in recognition and remembrance 
        of the American lives lost during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
            (6) encourages all citizens, residents, and visitors to use 
        this day to pray, reflect on, and mourn the individuals who 
        lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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