[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further 
consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 413) designating 
November 1, 1994, as ``National Family Literacy Day,'' and ask for its 
immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to 
the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman].
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of House Joint 
Resolution 413 which designates November 1, 1994, as ``National Family 
Literacy Day.'' I would like to commend the distinguished gentleman 
from Pennsylvania [Mr. Goodling] for introducing this important 
measure.
  Currently, as much as a quarter of the American work force, anywhere 
from 20 to 27 million adults, lack the basic reading, writing, and math 
skills necessary to preform in today's increasingly complex job market.
  Additionally, one out of every four teenagers drop out of high 
school, and of those who graduate, one of every four has the equivalent 
of an eighth grade education.
  As we all know, literacy is a vital asset which millions of Americans 
are lacking. Conversely, a chief economic competitor, Japan, has a 
literacy rate of nearly 100 percent by the age of 17. Obviously our 
deprived work force is not up to par with our competitors. Countless 
billions of dollars are lost every year due to the inability to read 
directions and solve problems. Millions of jobs cannot be attained due 
to a lack of these vital skills and the inability to complete 
application forms. It is our moral duty and obligation to emphasize and 
support education and literacy in this country.
  Mr. Speaker, we must not lose hope for those families that are 
illiterate. Rather, we must make sure that all families have an 
opportunity to learn.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of House Joint 
Resolution 413.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I 
would like to point out the need for National Family Literacy Day, and 
literacy for all Americans. I represent a district that is considered 
among the most highly educated in the country, and yet one out of every 
seven adults is functionally illiterate, so it indicates the need for 
programs such as Head Start, along with Even Start, to bring adults to 
grow and to become literate along with their children.
  Mr. Speaker, the author of this resolution, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania [Mr. Goodling], who has worked very hard for the 
cosponsors, is unable to be here for consideration of House Joint 
Resolution 413, as he had a prior commitment in his legislative 
district.
  However, Mr. Speaker, I will insert his statement in the Record, 
because family literacy is extremely important to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania. He is the author of the Even Start Family Literacy 
Program, and it is fitting that his statement appears along with other 
statements on this resolution.
  The material referred to is as follows:
  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint 
Resolution 413, declaring November 1, 1994, as National Family Literacy 
Day.
  The designation of National Family Literacy Day will help us pay 
tribute to programs which can play a major role in efforts to reform 
Nation's schools. As we examine the problems of our Nation's schools 
and the lack of achievement among students, one fact has become 
evident--there is a strong relationship between the literacy skills of 
a parent and the educational achievement of their children.
  Unfortunately, millions of Americans are trapped in a cycle of 
poverty, dependency, and undereducation--and it impacts heavily on the 
ability of their children to do well in school. Family literacy 
programs open a door for such families, allowing them to work together 
to create a better future.
  Family literacy programs can provide parents with the literacy skills 
they need to obtain employment and help their children with their 
homework. In addition they provide children with the skills they need 
to start school ready to learn--and to keep learning.
  Several years go I introduced, and Congress enacted, the Even Start 
Program, a family literacy program which provides parents with 
education and job skills and their children with a quality preschool 
program. In addition, it provides parents with the skills they need to 
truly be their child's first and most important teacher. This program 
has been very successful.
  Family literacy programs such as Even Start can also increase 
parental involvement in education. They encourage parents to read to 
their children and to become active participants in their child's 
education. Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, in outlining his new 
parental involvement effort, cited an Even Start Family Literacy 
Program as a good example of an effective parental involvement program.
  An array of events celebrating Family Literacy Day have already been 
planned. For example, on November 1, National Family Literacy Day, 
Turner Network Television [TNT] will present a tribute to ``Dr. 
Seuss.'' In addition, there are expected to be events related to 
National Family Literacy Day in communities throughout the United 
States.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to family 
literacy programs by declaring November 1, 1994 as National Family 
Literacy Day. These programs play an important role in school reform, 
welfare reform, and can even play a role in a reduction in crime. They 
deserve our support.
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to hail the passage of House 
Joint Resolution 413, designating October 29, 1994 as ``National 
Firefighters' Day.''
  On this day, I hope all citizens will take a moment and reflect on 
the extraordinary bravery and commitment to public service firefighters 
must possess to succeed in their profession.
  Mr. Speaker, the natural reaction of people is to run from fires. Our 
firefighters run toward them. If, God, forbid, a fire strikes our 
house, we gather up our family and go out into the street and wait for 
the fire engines. Firefighters put themselves in harm's way. And 
sometimes unfortunately they give their lives, so that others may live.
  They are also important figures in our community. They are held in 
awe by our children. They give their time working on fire prevention 
and other community service projects. In their off duty time, they are 
among the most active participants in our political process.
  Today's firefighters are required to be fire scientists and first aid 
providers. As they face a raging fire they must possess the skill and 
training to master the vast array of hazardous materials and the 
complex types of combustible material. And how many times have you seen 
the firefighters first on the scene of a car accident working to rescue 
and provide assistance to the injured?
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the firefighters in my district. I will be 
proud to honor them on their day later this month. I join with my 
colleagues in the House Representatives in thanking them for what they 
do for our community and asking God to watch over them and protect 
them.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 413

       Whereas millions of American families are trapped in a 
     cycle of poverty, dependency, and undereducation;
       Whereas research shows that the most important factor in 
     determining the life chances of a child is the level of 
     educational attainment of the parents of the child;
       Whereas a child whose parents lack a high school diploma 
     are more than twice as likely to live in poverty than a child 
     whose parents are high school graduates;
       Whereas the level of education of a parent affects the 
     level of literacy of the children of the parent, even when 
     the children become adults;
       Whereas family literacy programs can increase parent 
     involvement in the education of children of the parent;
       Whereas a child in a family literacy program demonstrates 
     greater gains than a child in a child-focused program;
       Whereas an adult participating in a family literacy program 
     is more likely to remain in the program than an adult 
     participating in an adult-focused program;
       Whereas family literacy programs, such as Even Start and 
     Head Start, provide a promising approach to improving the 
     literacy skills of families; and
       Whereas, if literacy is to be increased among the next 
     generation of families, it is necessary to use family 
     literacy programs to increase the educational skills of 
     parents and children of the parents: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That November 
     1, 1994, is designated as ``National Family Literacy Day''. 
     The President is authorized and requested to issue a 
     proclamation calling on the people of the United States to 
     observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third 
time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider 
was laid on the table.

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