[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 4, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12332-H12334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 878) expressing support for the 
goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 878

       Whereas National Family Literacy Day is held on November 1;
       Whereas children spend 5 times as much time outside the 
     classroom as they do in school, and a parent's education and 
     income are 2 of the biggest factors in determining a child's 
     success in school;
       Whereas children who participate in family literacy 
     programs demonstrate significant gains in oral language 
     skills and score higher on standardized tests;
       Whereas National Family Literacy Day encourages parents to 
     become involved in their children's education and schoolwork;
       Whereas approximately 8,000 literacy programs and schools 
     will hold readings, workshops, book drives, and family 
     activities at libraries and community centers across the 
     country in honor of National Family Literacy Day; and
       Whereas National Family Literacy Day highlights 
     multigenerational learning, the importance of literacy for 
     children and adults, and parental involvement in the 
     education of their children: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

[[Page H12333]]

       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Family 
     Literacy Day; and
       (2) recognizes the benefits of parental involvement in a 
     child's education.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous 
materials on H. Res. 878 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 878, which 
recognizes November 1, 2009, as National Family Literacy Day and 
acknowledges the benefits of parent involvement in their child's 
education.
  Family literacy programs address the literacy needs and challenges 
children and families in our country deal with every day. These 
programs provide parents with knowledge and skills that allow them to 
be their child's first and most important teacher. Family literacy 
programs also help parents to be active participants in their child's 
education. For children, family literacy programs help increase 
children's literary and oral skills. In addition, research has shown 
these programs can help improve children's scores on standardized 
tests.
  National Family Literacy Day promotes the importance of literacy for 
both children and adults. According to the National Center for Family 
Literacy, parent-child literacy activities, such as parents reading to 
their children, improve children's language skills and increase their 
interest in books.
  Parent-child literacy activities also benefit low-literacy adults. It 
helps adults build confidence and develop their literary skills and 
contributes to self-sufficiency for adults and families across the 
Nation, leading to better jobs, workforce readiness, and higher 
education degrees.
  In honor of National Family Literacy Day, approximately 8,000 
literacy programs and schools will hold workshops, book drives, and 
family reading activities in libraries and community centers across the 
Nation.
  Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for National Family 
Literacy Day. I thank Representative Platts for bringing this 
resolution forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1630

  Mr. CASSIDY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 878, expressing support 
for the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day. Literacy is 
an issue that is important to people of all ages, from kindergarteners 
just learning to read to adults whose everyday lives require reading 
skills. Problems with literacy also affect people of all ages. Children 
with literacy problems are far more likely to drop out of school before 
they graduate than those without literacy problems. In addition, 
approximately 85 percent of all juvenile offenders have problems 
reading.
  Approximately one in seven American adults have difficulty reading, 
according to the most recent literacy report. Difficulty reading spans 
generations and affects people of all ages. Family literacy encourages 
parents and children to learn together and encourages parents to become 
involved in their children's education. Multigenerational learning 
enables every willing family member to engage in learning and improve 
their ability to read.
  Children specifically can benefit from family literacy in a number of 
ways. Children spend a large majority of their time outside of school. 
Engaging children in reading in their family environment allows 
children to extend their learning time beyond the time they spend in 
school. Additionally, research has shown that children whose parents 
are involved in their education perform better in school. Family 
literacy encourages families to learn together and support each other 
in improving their literacy skills.
  National Family Literacy Day took place November 1 this year. On this 
day, schools, libraries and community centers were encouraged to hold 
book drives, family reading events, workshops and other events that 
encourage families to read together. Approximately 8,000 literacy 
programs and schools held events to honor National Family Literacy Day 
this year. By recognizing National Family Literacy Day, we honor the 
importance of families learning and reading together.
  I am honored to support this resolution, and I ask my colleagues to 
join me.
  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 878. I am proud to have introduced this resolution that 
recognizes the benefits of parental involvement in a child's education, 
and supports the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day.
  As we all know, the role of a parent or guardian in a child's life is 
one that is irreplaceable and lasts far beyond the adolescent years. 
Today, I stand in recognition of the importance of family literacy in 
the education of children. While a child's education at school is 
irrevocably important, we must fully recognize that education begins at 
home.
  National Family Literacy Day occurred on November 1st of this year 
reminding us of the integral role parents play in their child's pathway 
to learning. Approximately 8,000 literacy programs and schools held 
readings, workshops, book drives, and family activities at libraries 
and community centers across the country in honor of this important 
day.
  Research has shown that a parent's education and income are the two 
largest indicators of a child's success in school. Given that children 
spend five times as much time outside of the classroom as in school, we 
must continue to focus on the importance of family literacy programs. 
Children who participate in family literacy programs demonstrate 
significant gains in oral language skills and score higher on 
standardized tests. The future and prosperity of our great Nation is 
dependent on the quality of education that our children receive today.
  That is why I stand in support of this resolution, recognizing the 
goals and ideals of Family Literacy Day. I ask for my colleagues' 
support of House Resolution 878.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Res. 878, which ``expresses support for the goals and ideals of 
National Family Literacy Day.'' A great American, Fredrick Douglass, 
once said ``Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.'' For 
America, literacy is the key that unlocks the door to our success, to 
our defense, and to our freedom.
  Illiteracy should be considered the root of many problems in our 
lives today; it leads to alienation of students in school and their 
community. For example, in my home district, the 18th District of Texas 
approximately 68 percent of those arrested, 75 percent of welfare 
dependants, 85 percent of dropouts, and 72 percent of the unemployed 
are identified as functionally illiterate (Youth Plus). One in three 
adults in the greater Houston metropolitan area functions at the lowest 
level of literacy, they are unable to read and comprehend a menu or a 
street map, fill out a job application, or read the directions on a 
medicine bottle (Literacy Advance of Houston). And in Texas, 85 percent 
of teenagers appearing in juvenile court are functionally illiterate 
(Youth Plus).
  No skill can be rendered more crucial to our future, nor to a 
democratic and prosperous society, than literacy. Literacy and 
knowledge is the premise of reaching one's full potential as an 
upstanding citizen. President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, ``A book is 
the most effective weapon against intolerance and ignorance,'' in order 
for us to utilize this priceless weapon, we must educate one another.
  Our children are made readers on the laps of their parents. Therefore 
the literacy of parents has a direct impact on the educational success 
of their children. Parental involvement is an intricate part of a 
child's success and as the level of parental involvement increases the 
education level of the child increases. Unfortunately, according to the 
National Adult Literacy Survey, 42 million adult Americans can't read. 
Another 50 million can recognize so few printed words they are limited 
to a 4th or 5th grade reading level; one out of every four teenagers 
drops out of high school, and of those who graduate, one out of every 
four has the equivalent or less of an eighth grade education. Parents 
in family literacy programs have proven to become more involved in 
their children's education and gain the tools necessary to obtain a job 
or find better employment.
  A parent's education and income are two of the biggest factors in 
determining a child's

[[Page H12334]]

success in school. Advocating literacy across America will result in 
children's lives becoming more stable, lead to higher achievement in 
the classroom and success in all future endeavors becomes inevitable. 
Studies have shown that two important factors that influence student 
achievement are the mother's education level and poverty in the home. 
It is clear that if adults are not part of the learning equation, then 
there is no long-term solution to our Nation's education challenges. 
The National Assessment of Adult Literacy reports that 90,000,000 
adults lack the literacy, numeracy, or English language skills to 
succeed at home, in the workplace, and in society. National Family 
Literacy Day would highlight the need for our government to support 
efforts to ensure each and every citizen has the necessary literacy 
skills to succeed at home, at work, and in society. I support the 
designation of National Family Literacy Day on November 1, which 
encourages parents to become involved in their children's education and 
schoolwork, as well as people across the United States to support 
programs to assist those in need of adult education and family literacy 
programs.
  Children who participate in family literacy programs demonstrate 
significant gains in oral language skills and score higher on 
standardized tests. I call upon the Federal Government, States, 
localities, schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, community-
based organizations, consumer advocates, institutions of higher 
education, labor unions, and businesses to support increased access to 
adult education and family literacy programs to ensure a literate 
society.
  Mr. CASSIDY. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. I yield back the balance of my time as well, 
Madam Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 878.
  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. BISHOP of New York. Madam 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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