[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H6033-H6034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING TOYS FOR TOTS LITERACY PROGRAM

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 232) recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots 
Literacy Program for its contributions in raising awareness of 
illiteracy, promoting children's literacy, and fighting poverty through 
the support of literacy.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 232

       Whereas, for more than 60 years, Toys for Tots has been 
     bringing smiles to the faces of less fortunate children 
     through the gift of a new toy;
       Whereas, after supporting Toys for Tots since 2005 and 
     raising $1.3 million to help brighten the lives of thousands 
     of children nationwide, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. 
     network launched the Toys for Tots Literacy Program in March 
     2008 to expand upon their existing partnership as an example 
     of what small businesses can do to help their community;
       Whereas the mission of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program 
     is to offer the Nation's most economically disadvantaged 
     children the ability to compete academically and to succeed 
     in life by providing them direct access to resources that 
     enhance their ability to read and to communicate effectively;
       Whereas this initiative maintains the Toys for Tots mission 
     of delivering hope while extending its reach and impact in a 
     meaningful way by providing less fortunate children with 
     tools that can help them break the cycle of poverty;
       Whereas, in 2007, the National Center for Educational 
     Statistics released its annual Reading Report, which asserts 
     that 33 percent of all fourth graders in the United States 
     still cannot read at even the basic level, highlighting the 
     need for a program like the Toys for Tots Literacy Program;
       Whereas every $1 donation helps the Marine Toys for Tots 
     Foundation buy a book for a deserving child within the 
     community where it was donated;
       Whereas since March 2008 more than $630,000 has been raised 
     for the Toys for Tots Literacy Program through a variety of 
     activities, including donation card campaigns, coin box 
     collections, special events, and sponsorships;
       Whereas March 2009 marks the one-year anniversary of the 
     Toys for Tots Literacy Program; and
       Whereas the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has created a 
     literacy award, in honor of Alferd Williams, a 71-year-old 
     resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, who, to combat illiteracy, 
     enrolled in Alesia Hamilton's first-grade class at Edison 
     Elementary School in St. Joseph; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes that the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has 
     made significant contributions in raising awareness of 
     illiteracy and promoting children's literacy; and
       (2) recognizes and commends the Toys for Tots Literacy 
     Program for its effort to battle poverty through the support 
     of literacy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each will 
control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
232 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield myself as much time as I may consume, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 232, a resolution to 
recognize and commend the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its 
contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, promoting children's 
literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy.
  For more than 60 years, Toys for Tots has been bringing smiles to the 
faces of less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy. After 
supporting Toys for Tots since 2005 and raising some $1.3 million to 
help brighten the lives of thousands of children nationwide, the UPS 
Store and Mail Boxes Etc. network launched the Toys for Tots Literacy 
Program in March 2008 to expand upon its existing partnership and to 
serve as an example of what small businesses can do to help their 
community.
  The Toys for Tots Literacy Program stands by its mission of offering 
the Nation's most economically disadvantaged children the ability to 
compete academically and to succeed in life by providing them direct 
access to resources that enhance their ability to read and to 
communicate effectively. By providing less fortunate children with 
tools that will help them break the cycle of poverty, Toys for Tots 
maintains its initiative of delivering hope while extending its reach 
and impact in a very meaningful way.
  This outstanding program has touched the lives of many since every $1 
donation helps the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation buy a book for a 
deserving child within the community where it was donated. Since its 
creation in March of 2008, more than $800,000 has been raised for the 
literacy program through a variety of activities, including donation 
card campaigns, coin box collections, special events, and sponsorships. 
This equates to more than 800,000 books being delivered to children 
across our Nation.
  Given the estimate that in low-income neighborhoods the ratio of 
books per child is one age-appropriate book for every 300 children, 
this program not only brings children the joy of reading, but also 
serves as an important tool in breaking that cycle of poverty.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves to commend the Toys for Tots 
Literacy Program for its outstanding efforts in raising awareness of 
illiteracy and fighting poverty by promoting literacy. And I thank my 
colleague, Representative Graves, for introducing this resolution.
  I urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this resolution, Mr. 
Speaker, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Toys for Tots 
Literacy Program for their commitment

[[Page H6034]]

to providing our Nation's less fortunate children with the resources 
they need to develop early reading skills. I ask all of my colleagues 
to support this resolution. I have no requests for time.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, obviously the literacy issue is one of great 
significance to all age demographics out there. However, if we can 
create a program such as Toys for Tots whereby we combat illiteracy and 
raise awareness of the importance of literacy and allow for us to 
conquer poverty at the same time, we can accomplish many, many good 
things in the lives of children.
  I thank Representative Graves for having introduced House Resolution 
232. Again, I strongly encourage our colleagues to support the measure 
before the House.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
232, a measure recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots Literacy 
Program for its contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, 
promoting children's literacy, and fighting poverty through the support 
of literacy.
  I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon for 
allowing this important resolution to come to the floor today. I also 
want to thank my colleagues who joined me as co-sponsors in moving 
forward such an important tribute.
  Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I was honored to introduce a 
resolution recognizing the achievements of the Toys for Tots Literacy 
Program. For over 60 years Toys for Tots has collected toy donations 
for underprivileged youth. Beginning in March 2008, Toys for Tots 
expanded beyond toy donations to taking on the challenge of rising 
illiteracy rates. With the help of the UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc., 
and UPS Store owners like Bob and Share Tate of Kearney, MO, the Toys 
for Tots Literacy Program was formed to assist economically 
disadvantaged children compete and succeed in academics by providing 
them direct access to resources that enhance their ability to read and 
communicate effectively.
  Through this initiative comes an inspiring story. Alferd Williams, a 
son of sharecroppers, had a simple and uncomplicated dream--he wanted 
to learn to read. That is how the then 70-year-old came to enroll in 
Alesia Hamilton's first grade class at Edison Elementary School in St. 
Joseph, Missouri.
  With help from Alesia, Alferd learned to read. And in the process he 
inspired a movement to do more to combat illiteracy. The Toys for Tots 
Literacy program was started with the goal of providing the nation's 
least fortunate children with books and educational material.
  Nationwide over 33 percent of fourth graders cannot read according to 
the 2007 annual Reading Report. There is an economic cost to taxpayers, 
but more importantly there is a cost to that individual. When a child 
does not learn to read, they lose out on a world of opportunity.
  The story of Alferd Williams demonstrates that ventures such as the 
Toys for Tots Literacy program are important vehicles in raising 
awareness of illiteracy. Through the gift of a book, we can provide 
individuals with the tools they need to help break the cycle of 
poverty.
  Please join with me in thanking Toys for Tots and congratulating 
Alferd and Alesia's commitment to literacy by supporting this important 
resolution.
  Mr. TONKO. I yield back my time, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 232.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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