[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11538-H11539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1130
                 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR TEEN READ WEEK

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 836) expressing support for Teen 
Read Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 836

       Whereas 70 percent of 8th graders and 65 percent of 12th 
     graders do not read at grade level;
       Whereas for many adolescent students, ongoing difficulties 
     with reading and writing figure prominently into the decision 
     to drop out of school;
       Whereas available data shows 85 percent of all juvenile 
     offenders have reading problems and approximately one-third 
     of all juvenile offenders read below the fourth-grade level;
       Whereas advanced literacy across content areas is the best 
     available predictor of the ability of students to succeed in 
     introductory college courses;
       Whereas research shows that teens who read for fun have 
     better test scores and are more likely to succeed in the 
     workforce;
       Whereas Teen Read Week encourages teens to read a book for 
     leisure purposes;
       Whereas Teen Read Week recognizes that it is important for 
     adolescents to read proficiently; and
       Whereas October 18 to October 24, 2009, is Teen Read Week: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Teen Read Week;
       (2) recognizes that it is important for teens to be taught 
     to read proficiently; and
       (3) encourages teens to read for leisure and academic 
     purposes.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous 
materials on House Resolution 836 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 836, which 
supports the goals and ideals of Teen Read Week from October 18 through 
October 24, 2009.
  Teen Read Week was started in 1998 by the Young Adult Library 
Services Association as an initiative to encourage more teens to read. 
Research shows that strong literacy ability is correlated to academic 
success, but many of our youth are struggling to read and to write at 
proficient levels. For instance, 70 percent of eighth graders and 65 
percent of 12th graders do not read at grade level. I find that 
unacceptable, and I know that my colleague does as well. The inability 
of students to read at grade level can tremendously affect a teenager's 
decision to stay in school. Also, strong literacy skills help predict 
college success in college introductory classes.
  Critical reading and comprehension help students achieve their 
personal and professional goals. In addition to supporting Teen Read 
Week, this bill calls for more adolescents to read in their free time. 
While teens hover around video games, wide-screen television sets and 
computer screens, books are collecting dust on bookshelves. It is vital 
that we continue to encourage students to read for both their academic 
and personal purposes even though there are many things that do compete 
for their time. Teens, parents and teachers can all play a significant 
role in helping children and students achieve academic success.
  With that, I want to thank Representative Roe for introducing this 
legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume, and I rise today in support of House Resolution 836, 
expressing support for Teen Read Week.
  More than 20 percent of adults read below a fifth-grade level, which 
is well below the reading level needed to earn a minimum wage. Almost 
44 million adults in the United States don't read well enough to read a 
short story to their child. It is estimated that illiteracy costs U.S. 
taxpayers more than $20 billion per year. More than three our of four 
of those on welfare and 68 percent of people arrested are illiterate. 
In U.S. prisons, three out of five inmates cannot read.
  The ability to read proficiently is one of the most important skills 
children and adolescents can acquire. This skill is important to people 
of all ages, from children just entering school to adults in the prime 
of their careers. Teen Read Week highlights the importance of 
encouraging teenagers to read.
  Research has shown that children and teens who are proficient readers 
perform better in almost all school subjects. Therefore, it follows 
that teens who struggle to read are more likely to drop out of high 
school than those who do not. In addition, research indicates that 
there's a strong link between teens who are juvenile offenders and the 
inability to read at grade level.
  Teen Read Week takes place October 18 through 24, 2009. It was first 
recognized in 1998 and has taken place the third week of every October 
since that time.
  Teen Read Week encourages teens to read for fun. Reading for fun 
highlights the importance and enjoyment of reading for teens and 
adolescents. Research has shown that teens who read for fun are more 
likely to succeed in the workforce than those who do not. The theme for 
Teen Read Week 2009 is ``Read Beyond Reality.''
  By recognizing Teen Read Week, we show our support for promoting teen 
literacy and encouraging teens to read. I am honored to support this 
resolution, and I ask my colleagues to join me.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. 
Speaker.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I have just one comment. I have 
been the mayor of a city, Johnson City, Tennessee. A lot of information 
for the school system comes through us. And I was at a meeting one day, 
and one of the school board members was very exuberant about how we 
could use computers, and computers are the most important thing. I held 
my hand up, and I said, Look, I don't have a clue how a computer works, 
but I can read. So I read the manual, and in 30 minutes or 20 minutes' 
time, I'm online.
  Reading changes lives. The statistics in this country are staggering. 
When you look at the amount of people in prisons and on welfare who 
cannot read, it is basically enslavement. We must in our education 
system--and I have thought of this many times--a good education where 
you can read may help solve the health care crisis, because people who 
can read can get a good job and provide for themselves.
  So I would encourage my colleagues to support this and encourage the 
schools to help teach and encourage teen reading.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I know how important this is. 
We talk to young families about the importance of reading to their 
young children. But it's also important that we continue that 
enthusiasm in the home for their younger adults as they go through 
school.
  Kids read to learn. There are so many places that they can go because 
they can read. Often it is true that young people have to read a lot of 
things in school, but they don't often read for their enjoyment. And 
until they start doing that, and they really understand what it can 
mean to them for the rest of their lives, they may not become the kind 
of readers that they probably would want to be and would benefit from.
  So I'm delighted that my colleague has brought this forward. It helps 
us to

[[Page H11539]]

encourage teens to continue to read. I support House Resolution 836 and 
urge my colleagues to do so.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 836.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. 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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