Yesterday, for the second straight year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to make September National Passport Month. The idea, initiated by Lonely Planet a couple of years ago, seems like a no-brainer to us: to recognize and promote the value and rewards of international travel, which can only be accomplished with a little blue book. As we’ve noted often, only about a quarter of all U.S. citizens have passports—a share that is slowly rising. (No, the feds haven’t exactly made things easier this year.) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced the resolution and has been a key supporter of National Passport Month—see the Congressional Record for her remarks. I spoke with her by phone yesterday about the resolution’s chances of actually getting W’s signature this year.

World Hum: Congratulations on your success.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee: Thank you very much.

The House passed a similar resolution last year but nothing more came of it. Why didn’t it sail through and get President Bush’s signature then?

I don’t know. I heard rumors that the White House didn’t think it was a priority. Hopefully, it’ll pass this time. With this environment we now have and a backlog of applications, it makes sense that they would want to support this.

Why do you think it’s important to create a National Passport Month?

We’d have a month dedicated to talking about why it’s important to apply for and hold a passport. There are many issues. Just in terms of gaining awareness of other cultures and people and ways of living. When you look at the fact that only 25 percent of Americans have passports, that’s a small percentage of the people who are benefiting from interacting with people throughout the world. Travel is a vehicle for peaceful coexistence. Getting to know Americans is the best diplomacy we have. To share our way of life with others is a great plus.

No doubt. So now it’s on to the Senate?

Yes. Hopefully we’ll get a Senate author and then get it on to the White House.

Any idea when that might happen?

No. We’ll know better in another week or so.

Best of luck with it.

Thank you.

Related on World Hum:
* National Passport Month: It’s About Time, No?
* How I Scored a New U.S. Passport in One Day
* U.S. Passports in Demand: Lines Look ‘Like a Rolling Stones Concert 25 Years Ago’