[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 232 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 232

 Recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its 
contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, promoting children's 
    literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 10, 2009

 Mr. Graves submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its 
contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, promoting children's 
    literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy.

Whereas, for more than 60 years, Toys for Tots has been bringing smiles to the 
        faces of less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy;
Whereas, after supporting Toys for Tots since 2005 and raising $1.3 million to 
        help brighten the lives of thousands of children nationwide, The UPS 
        Store and Mail Boxes Etc. network launched the Toys for Tots Literacy 
        Program in March 2008 to expand upon their existing partnership as an 
        example of what small businesses can do to help their community;
Whereas the mission of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program is to offer the 
        Nation's most economically disadvantaged children the ability to compete 
        academically and to succeed in life by providing them direct access to 
        resources that enhance their ability to read and to communicate 
        effectively;
Whereas this initiative maintains the Toys for Tots mission of delivering hope 
        while extending its reach and impact in a meaningful way by providing 
        less fortunate children with tools that can help them break the cycle of 
        poverty;
Whereas, in 2007, the National Center for Educational Statistics released its 
        annual Reading Report, which asserts that 33 percent of all fourth 
        graders in the United States still cannot read at even the basic level, 
        highlighting the need for a program like the Toys for Tots Literacy 
        Program;
Whereas every $1 donation helps the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation buy a book 
        for a deserving child within the community where it was donated;
Whereas since March 2008 more than $630,000 has been raised for the Toys for 
        Tots Literacy Program through a variety of activities, including 
        donation card campaigns, coin box collections, special events, and 
        sponsorships;
Whereas March 2009 marks the one-year anniversary of the Toys for Tots Literacy 
        Program; and
Whereas the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has created a literacy award, in 
        honor of Alferd Williams, a 71-year-old resident of St. Joseph, 
        Missouri, who, to combat illiteracy, enrolled in Alesia Hamilton's 
        first-grade class at Edison Elementary School in St. Joseph; Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has 
        made significant contributions in raising awareness of 
        illiteracy and promoting children's literacy; and
            (2) recognizes and commends the Toys for Tots Literacy 
        Program for its effort to battle poverty through the support of 
        literacy.
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