[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 355 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 355

 Designating the week of September 22 through 28, 2019, as ``National 
              Adult Education and Family Literacy Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 26, 2019

  Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Reed, Ms. Collins, Mr. 
    Durbin, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Klobuchar, and Mr. King) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Designating the week of September 22 through 28, 2019, as ``National 
              Adult Education and Family Literacy Week''.

Whereas the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reports that 
        approximately 36,000,000 adults in the United States lack the basic 
        literacy and numeracy necessary to succeed at home, in the workplace, 
        and in society;
Whereas the literacy of the people of the United States is essential for the 
        economic and societal well-being of the United States;
Whereas the United States reaps the economic benefits of individuals who improve 
        their literacy, numeracy, and English-language skills;
Whereas literacy and educational skills are necessary for individuals to fully 
        benefit from the range of opportunities available in the United States;
Whereas the economy and position of the United States in the world marketplace 
        depend on having a literate, skilled population;
Whereas the unemployment rate in the United States is highest among those 
        without a high school diploma or an equivalent credential, demonstrating 
        that education is important to economic recovery;
Whereas the educational skills of the parents of a child and the practice of 
        reading to a child have a direct impact on the educational success of 
        the child;
Whereas parental involvement in the education of a child is a key predictor of 
        the success of a child, and the level of parental involvement in the 
        education of a child increases as the educational level of the parent 
        increases;
Whereas parents who participate in family literacy programs become more involved 
        in the education of their children and gain the tools necessary to 
        obtain a job or find better employment;
Whereas, as a result of family literacy programs, the lives of children become 
        more stable, and the success of children in the classroom and in future 
        endeavors becomes more likely;
Whereas adults need to be part of a long-term solution to the educational 
        challenges faced by the people of the United States;
Whereas many older people in the United States lack the reading, math, or 
        English-language skills necessary to read a prescription and follow 
        medical instructions, which endangers the lives of the older people and 
        the lives of their loved ones;
Whereas many individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or receive public 
        assistance lack the literacy skills necessary to obtain and keep a job, 
        to continue their education, or to participate in job training programs;
Whereas many high school dropouts do not have the literacy skills necessary to 
        complete their education, transition to postsecondary education or 
        career and technical training, or obtain a job;
Whereas a large portion of individuals in prison have low educational skills, 
        and prisoners without educational skills are more likely to return to 
        prison once released;
Whereas many immigrants in the United States do not have the literacy skills 
        necessary to succeed in the United States; and
Whereas National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week highlights the need to 
        ensure that each individual in the United States has the literacy skills 
        necessary to succeed at home, at work, and in society: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the week of September 22 through 28, 2019, 
        as ``National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week'' to 
        raise public awareness about the importance of adult education, 
        workforce skills, and family literacy;
            (2) encourages people across the United States to support 
        programs to assist individuals in need of adult education, 
        workforce skills, and family literacy programs;
            (3) recognizes the importance of adult education, workforce 
        skills, and family literacy programs; and
            (4) calls on public, private, and nonprofit entities to 
        support increased access to adult education and family literacy 
        programs to ensure a literate society.
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