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.

IV 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 Organiza- tion 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 be- ginning of February 2020, with the earliest known death occurring on February 6 in California; VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 12, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC102.IH HC102 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HCON 102 IH Whereas, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic declaration for COVID–19; Whereas, on March 13, 2020, the President declared, pursu- ant to the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that the COVID–19 pandemic constitutes a na- tional 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 out- break, bringing great levels of financial stress and suf- fering to such individuals; Whereas the schooling of children and young adults across the United States was greatly changed due to the elimi- nation 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 un- derlying health conditions; Whereas the human cost of the COVID–19 pandemic tran- scends mere statistics and has resulted in deeply personal tragedies for numerous families and communities across the United States and around the world; VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 12, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC102.IH HC102 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HCON 102 IH 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 appro- priate day to designate as a ‘‘National Day of Mourn- ing’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That Congress— 2 (1) supports the designation of a ‘‘National 3 Day of Mourning’’; 4 (2) recognizes, commends, and honors the self- 5 less dedication and bravery of fellow Americans as 6 first responders, health care professionals, transpor- 7 tation personnel, and essential and frontline employ- 8 ees for their actions that saved countless lives in the 9 United States during the COVID–19 pandemic; 10 (3) recognizes the sacrifice made by millions of 11 Americans as they observed stay-at-home orders 12 from local, State, and national officials to help pre- 13 vent the spread of COVID–19; 14 (4) recognizes that people of all faiths have 15 been affected by the COVID–19 pandemic; 16 VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 12, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC102.IH HC102 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HCON 102 IH (5) urges the President to issue a proclamation 1 ordering all flags be flown at halfstaff in recognition 2 and remembrance of the American lives lost during 3 the COVID–19 pandemic; and 4 (6) encourages all citizens, residents, and visi- 5 tors to use this day to pray, reflect on, and mourn 6 the individuals who lost their lives due to the 7 COVID–19 pandemic. 8 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:50 Jun 12, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HC102.IH HC102 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS