SPONSOR:

Rep. Lambert on behalf of all Representatives & Sen. Poore on behalf of all Senators

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49

RECOGNIZING DELAWARE SAVES WEEK 2022.

WHEREAS, personal and household savings are fundamental to the stability, vitality, and general wellbeing of the people of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, financial security is one of the most important issues for most Americans whether it involves saving enough for retirement, their children’s college education, an unforeseen emergency, or a house; and

WHEREAS, nearly half of all American families- and nearly 70 percent of families with below-average income- do not have a retirement account, according to the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF); and 

WHEREAS, 65 percent of African American families and 74 percent of Hispanic families- do not have a retirement account; and 

WHEREAS, 39 percent of Americans do not have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency; and 

WHEREAS, 22 percent of Americans are unbanked or underbanked; and 

WHEREAS, more than 147,000 employees in Delaware do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, according the Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives; and 

WHEREAS, America Saves is a national campaign that encourages, supports, and motivates Americans to improve their financial stability by budgeting their money, accumulating savings, opening & contributing to retirement accounts, building wealth, and reducing debt; and

WHEREAS, the Office of the State Treasurer is a partner in the America Saves Week movement and is committed to helping our state’s residents, young and old, take immediate financial action to save successfully and recover from the perils of the Coronavirus pandemic.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 151 st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the State of Delaware hereby proclaim the week of February 21 st as Delaware Saves Week.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly urges Delawareans to open a retirement account and/or savings account, put away money for retirement, build up an emergency fund, create a personal budget, set savings goals, pay down debt, or take other steps to increase one’s personal financial security during Delaware Saves Week, and pledge to sustain that action throughout the coming year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly commits to supporting solutions that expand access to retirement plans and savings accounts, or that otherwise assist Delawareans with saving for retirement, higher education, homebuying, disability-related expenses, emergencies, and other needs.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution recognizes the week of February 21st as Delaware Saves Week.