[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 213 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 213

Designating July 2, 1993 and July 2, 1994 as ``National Literacy Day''.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 10, 1993

Mr. Payne of New Jersey introduced the following resolution; which was 
       referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

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                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
Designating July 2, 1993 and July 2, 1994 as ``National Literacy Day''.

Whereas forty-two million Americans today read at a level which is less than 
        necessary for full survival needs;
Whereas there are thirty million adults in the United States who cannot read, 
        whose resources are left untapped, and who are unable to offer their 
        full contribution to society;
Whereas illiteracy is growing rapidly, as two million three hundred thousand 
        persons, including one million two hundred thousand legal and illegal 
        immigrants, one million high school dropouts, and one hundred thousand 
        refugees, are added to the pool of illiterates annually;
Whereas the annual cost of illiteracy to the United States in terms of welfare 
        expenditures, crime, prison expenses, lost revenues, and industrial and 
        military accidents has been estimated at $225,000,000,000;
Whereas the competitiveness of the United States is eroded by the presence in 
        the workplace of millions of Americans who are functionally or 
        technologically illiterate;
Whereas there is a direct correlation between the number of illiterate adults 
        unable to perform at the standard necessary for available employment and 
        the money allocated to child welfare and unemployment compensation;
Whereas the percentage of illiterates in proportion to population size is higher 
        for blacks and Hispanics, resulting in increased economic and social 
        discrimination against these minorities;
Whereas the prison population represents the single highest concentration of 
        adult illiteracy;
Whereas one million children in the United States between the ages of twelve and 
        seventeen cannot read above a third grade level, 13 per centum of all 
        seventeen-year-olds are functionally illiterate, and 15 per centum of 
        graduates of urban high schools read at less than a sixth grade level;
Whereas 85 per centum of the juveniles who appear in criminal court are 
        functionally illiterate;
Whereas the 47 per centum illiteracy rate among black youths is expected to 
        increase;
Whereas one-half of all heads of households cannot read past the eighth grade 
        level and one-third of all mothers on welfare are functionally 
        illiterate;
Whereas the cycle of illiteracy continues because the children of illiterate 
        parents are often illiterate themselves because of the lack of support 
        they receive from their home environment;
Whereas Federal, State, municipal, and private literacy programs have only been 
        able to reach 5 per centum of the total illiterate population;
Whereas it is vital to call attention to the problem of illiteracy, to 
        understand the severity of the problem and its detrimental effects on 
        our society, and to reach those who are illiterate and unaware of the 
        free services and help available to them; and
Whereas it is also necessary to recognize and thank the thousands of volunteers 
        who are working to promote literacy and provide support to the millions 
        of illiterates in need of assistance: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That July 2, 1993 and July 2, 
1994 are designated as ``National Literacy Day'', and the President is 
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the 
people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.

                                 <all>