{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-introduces-bill-to-create-national-passport-month", "Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Create National Passport Month", "2008-07-25", "2008", "2008-07", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Barbara Lee", "L000551", "lee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "07.25.08\n\t\t\t Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Create National Passport Month \n\t\t\tFor Immediate Release Contact: Sean P. Nichols  \r\nJuly 25, 2008(202) 225-2661\r\nNational Passport Month will educate the public about the benefits and positive impact of international travel on travelers and the global community  \r\n  \r\nWashington Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced legislation today calling for the designation of September as National Passport Month.\r\nTraveling abroad promotes understanding and goodwill, said Lee. When people connect with other people, it opens the doors to increased peace, tolerance, and acceptance.\r\nThe resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Passport Month and calls on the President to issue a proclamation on the federal government, states, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.\r\nThrough international travel, Americans can individually play a major role towards improving foreign relations by building bridges and making connections with citizens of other countries, said Lee. Less than 23 percent of Americans have passports, which prevents them from having the kind of life enriching experiences that traveling in other countries offers.\r\n### \n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/barbara-lee-introduces-bill-to-create-national-passport-month"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8021232206374407, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}