[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL DAY ON WRITING

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                            HON. DINA TITUS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, writing is a daily practice for millions of 
Americans, but few people notice how integral writing has become to 
life in the 21st century. People now write more than ever before for 
personal, professional, and civic purposes; and writing is increasingly 
essential for all types of occupations. Newly developing digital 
technologies expand the possibilities for composing in multiple media 
and young people are now leading the way in new forms of composition.
  Writing has enormous power. It allows people in every walk of life, 
in every kind of work, and at every age to generate and share ideas 
with others. Effective communication contributes to building a global 
economy and a global community. We must find ways to help our students 
tell their stories--to communicate with their neighbors around the 
globe, in a world that is getting smaller and smaller. We must help our 
students put their thoughts into words, and hopefully, into action.
  As an educator for more than 30 years, I know the value of a quality 
education and its importance to our children's future. In order for our 
Nation's children to get the education they deserve and require to 
become the leaders of tomorrow, they need the very best teachers and 
educators. Not only as leaders in education, but also as leaders in the 
community, English teachers are preparing our next generation.
  To draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing we engage in 
and to help connect writers from all walks of life, the National 
Council of Teachers of English, NCTE, in conjunction with its many 
national and local partners, honors the importance of writing by 
celebrating a National Day on Writing on October 20, 2009. NCTE has 
developed the National Gallery of Writing, a digital archive of 
samples, that exhibits how and why Americans are writing every day. The 
gallery is accessible to all through a free, searchable website that 
will be launched on the National Day on Writing.
  I introduced a resolution to recognize the National Day on Writing to 
acknowledge the enormous power of writing--how it allows people in 
every walk of life, in every kind of work, and at every age to generate 
and share ideas with others. The resolution calls on the House of 
Representatives to recognize the National Day on Writing and encourages 
submissions to the National Gallery of Writing. Today my thanks go out 
to the NCTE and their many national and local partners for facilitating 
the National Day on Writing. As we celebrate the National Day on 
Writing, I hope my colleagues will participate and submit entries to 
the gallery.

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