[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL LITERACY MONTH

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to comment on an issue 
which concerns my home State of Michigan and the entire country. It 
seems as though every year another study is published which concludes 
American children are behind other nations of the world in subjects 
such as math and science. Often, when concern is expressed with such 
findings a more basic issue is overlooked: literacy.
  From the youngest schoolchild to the most senior adult, I believe 
everyone should be able to read and write. Besides serving as the 
foundation of education, reading provides new opportunities and expands 
horizons. Through reading, an individual can visit exotic lands, travel 
in time, participate in fantastic adventures, and learn of events 
happening in both their hometown and around the globe. Reading allows a 
person to soar, with only their imagination to limit them. As the 
father of three young children, one of my favorite activities is 
reading a story to my children, or as the older ones now do, read the 
story to me. Helping a child learn to read is one of the most 
pleasurable activities I know.
  Ensuring America's children are literate is one of the most important 
goals this Nation should have. Rather than involving the heavy hand of 
the Federal Government, I believe local governments are in the best 
position to accomplish this goal. But, I also think the Federal 
Government has a role in helping to eradicate illiteracy from among the 
Nation's youth. For this reason, Congress has allocated $260 million to 
the Department of Education to disburse to the states for carrying out 
a child literacy initiative beginning in October 1998.
  I strongly believe every child in America should be literate. 
However, we cannot and must not concern ourselves solely with the 
young. It is a sad fact that many adults across the country do not 
possess the ability to read and write. While some individuals have 
rudimentary skills, many cannot read well enough to fill out a job 
application. Without these needed skills, advancement in the workplace 
is almost impossible. Fortunately, Congress is taking strong steps 
toward remedying this problem. Presently, Federal adult literacy 
programs have been funded at over $350 million. Given to States in the 
form of grants, these funds help provide community-based agencies with 
the money necessary to reduce and hopefully eliminate illiteracy.
  In recognition of the efforts to educate both children and adults, I 
join in honoring those individuals who dedicate themselves to this 
noble pursuit. I am pleased to have this opportunity to express my 
appreciation for their hard work, and encourage my colleagues to 
demonstrate their support of National Literacy Month.

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