[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E389-E390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO EAST TEXAS LITERACY COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
East Texas Literacy Council, which recently was selected to be the 
first literacy agency in the nation to receive accreditation from 
Literacy Volunteers of America. The Literacy Council is well known in 
my

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district for its outstanding work in promoting adult literacy, and it 
is with a great sense of pride that I join citizens and officials of 
Longview, TX, and Gregg County in paying tribute to those community 
leaders and volunteers who have contributed so much to the success of 
this organization.
  Literacy Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit organization 
consisting of more than 375 community programs in 42 states. The 
organization delivers local literacy services through a network of more 
than 50,000 volunteers nationwide who have helped more than half a 
million adults and their families gain literacy skills. It is quite an 
accomplishment for the East Texas Literacy Council to be chosen as the 
first local affiliate in the nation to receive accreditation from the 
Literacy Volunteers--and it is a testament to the dedication, hard work 
and quality of service of the Literacy Council's staff and volunteers.
  The East Texas Literacy Council was founded as a community-based, 
nonprofit organization in 1987. Through collaboration with other 
community agencies, the Literacy Council provides opportunities for 
adults in Gregg County to develop the basic literacy skills necessary 
to attain self-sufficiency and to function successfully in their 
community. Last year more than 500 adults benefitted from this 
program--almost 200 learning basic literacy skills and more than 300 
learning English as a Second Language. These adults were instructed by 
more than 100 volunteer tutors who received ten hours of basic literacy 
training.
  Executive Director of the East Texas Literacy Council is Freda 
Peppard, who has provided effective leadership for the organization 
over the past nine years. Current officers of the Board of Directors 
are Mary Price, president; Clement Dunn, vice president; Jerre Jouett, 
secretary; and Jennifer Slade, treasurer. Others who have been 
instrumental in the Council's success include Cissy Ward, longtime 
community leader who helped organize the East Texas Literacy Council 
and became its first Executive Director, and Retta Kelly, formerly 
publisher of the Longview News-Journal, who served as the Council's 
first Board president. Another influential community leader, Nancy 
Jackson, served as Executive Director following Mrs. Ward's tenure. 
Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Jackson continue to advise and work with the 
Council.
  The East Texas Literacy Council is a community success story--and an 
example of what can be accomplished through public/private funding and 
through community-based partnerships. Funding sources for the Literacy 
Council include the United Way, Community Development Block Grant 
funding and various fund-raising initiatives. Affiliations include 
Longview Partnership, Laubach Literacy Action, The Nonprofit Coalition 
and Literacy Volunteers of America.
  Mr. Speaker, the cost of illiteracy to individuals, to their families 
and to society is enormous. Literacy programs, such as those sponsored 
by the East Texas Literacy Council, are vital in our efforts to help 
individuals acquire the skills they need to be productive citizens and 
to be able to support themselves and their families. It is a privilege 
to pay tribute today to this exemplary literacy organization in the 
Fourth District of Texas--the East Texas Literacy Council--and to those 
dedicated staff members and volunteers whose hard work has helped make 
this organization such a success.

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