[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 654 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 654

    Expressing support for the designation of January 23, 2018, as 
    ``National Handwriting Day'' and recognizing the importance of 
     handwriting for cognitive, artistic, and educational benefit.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 7, 2017

     Mr. Tonko (for himself and Mr. Lance) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the 
                               Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing support for the designation of January 23, 2018, as 
    ``National Handwriting Day'' and recognizing the importance of 
     handwriting for cognitive, artistic, and educational benefit.

Whereas John Hancock was a great patriot from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
        having served as President of the Continental Congress (1775-1777) and 
        Governor of Massachusetts (1780-1785);
Whereas John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence in 
        1776, in a large, prominent signature;
Whereas the term ``John Hancock'' is now synonymous with a handwritten 
        signature;
Whereas the date of Hancock's birth, January 23, 1737, has been known as 
        National Handwriting Day since 1977, when first promulgated by the 
        Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association;
Whereas handwriting is recognized by educators throughout the world as an 
        important component of a child's education;
Whereas research has shown that improved handwriting skills have benefits for 
        cognitive development and motor skills and can lead to improved writing 
        skills and comprehension;
Whereas handwriting has been shown to increase neural development and engage 
        areas of the brain associated with language, memory, word recognition, 
        and emotion;
Whereas handwriting engages 14 different abilities, including visual focusing, 
        mental attention, organized physical movements, receptive language, 
        inner expressive language, memory recall, concentration with awareness, 
        spatial perception, organization, integration, eye-hand coordination, 
        motor planning, tactile input, and crossing midline; and
Whereas handwriting is an important form of individual artistic expression: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Handwriting 
        Day''; and
            (2) recognizes the importance of handwriting in cognitive, 
        artistic, and educational development.
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