[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                LITERACY INVOLVES FAMILIES TOGETHER ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2000

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Goodling for 
allowing me the opportunity to support this bill.
  We are here today to consider H.R. 3222, the Literacy Involves 
Families Together Act. This bill ensures that family literacy programs 
like Even Start will continue to help many families break the cycle of 
literacy that often leads to poverty, unemployment, and dependency on 
federal support programs.
  This country has come a long way since we were all children.
  Although this nation has always placed an emphasis on education, we 
now live in an age when just having a high school education is not 
enough to prepare our children for the professional world. Global 
competition, the internet, and widespread use of technology all 
indicate that the economy of the 21st century will create new 
challenges for employers and workers. In order to attain that high 
quality of life we all strive for, the generations after us will need 
to meet higher educational standards.
  But, in the course of attempting to ensure access to a college 
education for all who can benefit from it, we cannot forget about those 
less fortunate--the parents and children who, for whatever reason, have 
not yet mastered the basic yet essential skills of reading and writing.
  H.R. 3222 would improve the quality of services provided under Even 
Start and other family literacy programs: By providing training and 
technical assistance to local providers, by requiring that 
instructional programs are based on scientific research on reading, by 
funding research on the teaching of reading to adults in family 
literacy and other adult education programs, and by establishing 
qualifications for instructional staff in Even Start programs--whose 
salaries are paid almost entirely with Even Start dollars.
  In addition, I would also like to take a moment to express a few 
words for my colleague and dear friend Bill Goodling.
  The Education and the Workforce Committee was blessed the day Bill 
was elected to Congress. Drawing on his experiences as a coach, a high 
school principal, and a Superintendent of schools, Bill has always 
approached the issue of education with the interests of America's 
children at heart. H.R. 3222 is a monument and a fitting tribute to a 
man of honor, integrity, courage, and vision. As a member of the 
majority and minority, Bill has maintained his loyalty to our children, 
often in the face of fervid opposition by many who put their own 
special interests ahead of the well being of America's kids.
  It has been my pleasure and honor to have known Mr. Bill Goodling for 
22 years, and I will miss him--as much as he misses his horses when 
he's in Washington--when he retires at the end of this session.
  Again, I thank Chairman Goodling for this opportunity to support H.R. 
3222, and more importantly, for his participation and leadership as a 
Member of Congress, and as Chairman of the House Education and the 
Workforce Committee.

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