# Plain Language Summary: H. RES. 174

This is a memorial resolution that honors people who died from COVID-19 and acknowledges those who survived the virus but continue dealing with its health effects. It's not a law that creates new programs or changes how government operates—it's more like an official statement of remembrance from the House of Representatives.

The resolution proposes that the first Monday in March be recognized as "COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day." By passing this resolution, the House would be formally acknowledging the massive toll the pandemic took on Americans. The bill notes that by late February 2021, over 500,000 people had died from COVID-19 in the United States, and it specifically recognizes that the virus hit low-income communities and communities of color especially hard. It also honors the frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and government employees who risked their safety to help others during the crisis.

In practical terms, this resolution doesn't require anyone to do anything or change any government policies. It's a symbolic gesture—a way for Congress to officially say that the nation remembers those lost and acknowledges the ongoing suffering of survivors dealing with long-term health problems from the virus. If passed, it would establish a day for people to remember and honor those impacted by COVID-19, similar to how other memorial days work. It doesn't provide funding, create new services, or mandate any specific actions, but it does put Congress on record recognizing the pandemic's devastating impact on American communities.

Memorializing those impacted by and lost to the COVID-19 virus.

 <p>This resolution expresses support for the designation of COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day to memorialize the lives lost to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).</p>