Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning on September 14, 2025, as "Celebrate Community Week".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 705
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-15: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4301)
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-07T16:29:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 705) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating the week of September 14-20, 2025, as "Celebrate Community Week." The goal is to highlight and promote collaborative community service initiatives by four international service organizations: Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International. It aims to recognize their efforts in addressing community needs, fostering volunteerism, and inspiring youth involvement in humanitarian projects.
Key Provisions
- Background on the Initiative: The resolution includes several "Whereas" clauses describing the "Celebrate Community" program as a weeklong event encouraging joint service projects among the four organizations to boost their collective impact and global volunteer spirit.
- Organizational Contributions:
- Kiwanis clubs focus on children's health, nutrition, education, and youth development, conducting over 7.7 million projects annually and raising nearly $390 million.
- Lions clubs, with 1.4 million members since 1917, emphasize unpaid community service in areas like the environment, childhood cancer, hunger, diabetes, and vision care.
- Optimist International clubs, guided by the motto "Bringing Out the Best in Youth, in our Communities, and in Ourselves," reach over 6 million youth yearly through 65,000 projects, investing $78 million in communities.
- Rotary International, with over 1.2 million members and 45,000 clubs, invests millions in sustainable solutions for clean water, education, disease prevention, maternal/child health, economic development, peacebuilding, environmental protection, and eradicating polio.
- Resolved Actions:
- Supports the designation of "Celebrate Community Week."
- Recognizes the four organizations for their promotion of community service and humanitarian aid.
- Encourages them to continue emphasizing community service values, especially for youth.
- Applauds their role in teaching young people the importance of service.
- Appreciates members' ongoing work to strengthen communities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it does not create, amend, or repeal any laws. It serves as a symbolic expression of congressional support without legal enforcement or changes to statutes.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens and Communities: Could increase public awareness of volunteer opportunities, potentially boosting participation in local service projects during the designated week and beyond, benefiting youth, families, and underserved areas through enhanced health, education, and environmental initiatives.
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, as it involves no funding or mandates; however, it may indirectly support federal goals like community development by aligning with voluntary service programs (e.g., those under the Corporation for National and Community Service).
- On International Relations: Highlights global efforts of these organizations, which operate worldwide, potentially fostering positive U.S. goodwill through shared humanitarian values, though no formal diplomatic changes are involved.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Service Organizations: Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International, along with their thousands of local clubs and over 3 million combined members, who gain official recognition and encouragement for their work.
- Communities and Youth: Local residents, especially children and young people (impacted by over 6 million youth annually via these groups), who benefit from increased service projects in health, education, and social needs.
- Volunteers and General Public: Individuals inspired to participate in community service, promoting broader civic engagement.
- Congress: The House of Representatives, through its Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which received the resolution for review.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: None, as resolutions like this are ceremonial and do not carry the force of law; they cannot be challenged in court.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad authority under Article I to express opinions on public matters, without infringing on individual rights or federal powers.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by Rep. Thompson (D-PA) and Rep. Panetta (D-CA)), signaling congressional endorsement of nonprofit volunteerism. It may encourage similar recognitions in future sessions, reinforcing themes of unity and service in national discourse, but has no binding policy effects.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-15: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4301)
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-09-11: Submitted in House
- 2025-09-11: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning on September 14, 2025, as "Celebrate Community Week". — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (3 pages)