[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5680-H5681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1410
SUPPORTING DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY 
                                  WEEK

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1472) expressing support for designation of the 
week of September 13, 2010, as National Adult Education and Family 
Literacy Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1472

       Whereas the literacy of its citizens is essential for the 
     economic well-being of the United States, our society, and 
     the individuals who can benefit from full participation 
     therein;
       Whereas literacy and education skills are a prerequisite to 
     individuals reaping the full benefit of opportunities in the 
     United States;
       Whereas the economy and our position in the world 
     marketplace depend on having a literate, skilled population;
       Whereas the Nation's unemployment rates are highest among 
     those without a high school diploma or General Equivalency 
     Diploma (GED), indicating that education is key to economic 
     recovery;
       Whereas our Nation reaps the economic benefits of those who 
     raise their literacy, numeracy, and English language skills;
       Whereas our Nation needs older adults to reenter the 
     education pipeline and transition to college if we are to 
     meet the President's goal of the highest proportion of 
     college graduates by 2020 and if we are to be internationally 
     competitive by 2025;
       Whereas the education skills of parents and reading to 
     children have a direct impact on the educational success of 
     their children;
       Whereas, parental involvement is a key predictor of a 
     child's success, the level of parental involvement increases 
     as the education level of the parent increases;
       Whereas parents in family literacy programs become more 
     involved in their children's education and gain the tools 
     necessary to obtain a job or find better employment;
       Whereas, as a result, children's lives become more stable, 
     and success in the classroom, and in all future endeavors, 
     becomes more likely;
       Whereas studies show 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;
       Whereas many older people in the United States lack the 
     reading, math, or English skills to read a prescription and 
     follow medical instructions, endangering their lives and the 
     lives of their loved ones;
       Whereas many individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, 
     or receive public assistance lack the literacy skills to 
     obtain and keep a job with a family-sustaining income, 
     continue their education, or participate in job training 
     programs;
       Whereas many high school dropouts do not have the literacy 
     skills to complete their education, transition to 
     postsecondary education or vocational training, or become 
     employed;
       Whereas a large portion of those in prison have low 
     educational skills, and prisoners without skills are more 
     likely to return to prison once released;
       Whereas many of our Nation's immigrants do not have the 
     literacy skills to succeed in their new home country;
       Whereas 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;
       Whereas National Adult Education and Family Literacy week 
     highlights 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; and
       Whereas the week of September 13, 2010, would be an 
     appropriate date to designate as National Adult Education and 
     Family Literacy Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the designation of National Adult Education 
     and Family Literacy Week, including raising public awareness 
     about the importance of adult education and family literacy;
       (2) encourages people across the United States to support 
     programs to assist those in need of adult education and 
     family literacy programs; and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     recognizing the importance of adult education and family 
     literacy programs, calling 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during 
which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on 
House Resolution 1472 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Iowa?
  There was no objection.

[[Page H5681]]

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1472, which supports the 
designation of the week of September 13 as Adult Education and Family 
Literacy Week. This week recognizes the importance of adult education 
and family literacy programs to the success and well-being of those who 
strive to improve their and their children's education.
  Adult education and literacy programs provide millions of Americans 
with the skills needed to lead productive and self-sufficient lives, 
boost their academic achievements, and engage in our 21st century 
workforce. These programs emphasize basic skills such as reading, 
writing, and math, prepare adult learners to take GED tests, and assist 
nonnative speakers in gaining English proficiency.
  According to the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, the 
literacy skills of 90 million adults in the U.S. are currently 
considered ``basic'' or ``below basic.'' Adult literacy programs 
address this national need for improved literacy. These programs also 
help participants obtain the skills they need to reenter the education 
pipeline and transition to college, a critical part of creating an 
internationally competitive workforce and meeting the President's goal 
of a nation with the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020.
  Family literacy programs work with entire families to offer education 
opportunities to improve life skills and improve literacy. These 
programs help break cycles of poverty and illiteracy that affect some 
of our Nation's most vulnerable families. Most importantly, family 
literacy programs provide parents with the knowledge and skills they 
need to be full participants in their child's education and 
development. For children, family literacy programs help ensure that 
children start school ready to learn and on an equal footing with their 
peers.
  Adult Education and Family Literacy Week is an opportunity for 
educators, advocates, and participants in these important programs to 
elevate adult education and family literacy nationwide with 
policymakers, the media, and the community. It is important for States, 
localities, schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, community-
based organizations, consumer advocates, institutions of higher 
education, labor unions, and businesses to all work together to support 
increased access to these adult education and family literacy programs. 
The outreach which occurs during this week is critical to reaching many 
of those who would benefit from these programs.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Polis for introducing 
this resolution and once again express my support for the designation 
of the week of September 13 as Adult Education and Family Literacy 
Week. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1472, expressing support 
for designation of the week of September 13, 2010, as National Adult 
Education and Family Literacy Week.
  Illiteracy is a nationwide problem. According to a recent report, 
nearly one out of two adults is illiterate, without the minimum skills 
required in today's society. Unfortunately, many adults in this country 
cannot read a newspaper or fill out a job application.
  The U.S. Department of Education estimates that 93 million U.S. 
adults have ``basic'' and ``below basic'' literacy skills. Department 
of Education studies have also found that adults living in poverty were 
more likely to have lower than average literacy scores than adults with 
higher incomes. Half of the adults who did not have a high school 
diploma performed in the ``below basic'' levels. Seniors and the 
elderly over age 65 had the lowest average literacy scores of any 
range, with 64 percent performing in the ``basic'' and ``below basic'' 
levels. And the more than 1 million incarcerated adults in the Nation 
had lower average literacy scores than adults in households on nearly 
every comparable scale.
  Literacy skills impact every aspect of adult life. Adults who are 
more literate are more likely to read to their children and discuss 
school topics, be employed full time and receive a higher income, use 
the Internet and email and vote, volunteer, and access information 
about local and national events.
  Unfortunately, only a fraction of low literate adults seek literacy 
services from community providers. Many people with low literacy do not 
perceive their skills as a problem until a crisis, such as the loss of 
a job or a child's need for school, helps make them aware of their 
literacy needs.
  National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week highlights the 
importance of efforts to ensure each and every citizen has the 
necessary literacy skills to succeed at home, at work, and in society. 
It encourages people across the United States to support programs to 
assist those in need of adult education and family literacy programs.
  I support this resolution and ask my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 1472, 
``Expressing support for designation of the week of September 13, 2010, 
as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.'' The future of 
this country depends upon the level of education we provide our 
citizens, and the foundation of a good education is the ability to read 
and write well. In order to remain competitive in this global economy, 
we must emphasize the importance of raising our nation's literacy and 
English language skills.
  Madam Speaker, National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week 
brings public attention to the importance of adult education and family 
literacy. Adult education and family literacy are both significant 
factors in determining the country's future. For example, reading to 
children from a young age and the mother's level of education both 
impact a child's academic success. Statistics show those who are often 
unemployed, underemployed, receive public assistance, or incarcerated 
are those with low educational skills. By improving such skills we take 
a momentous step to correcting a large number of problems that our 
country now faces.
  With this resolution, the Congress states it is never too late to 
improve one's literacy or educational skills. With this designation, we 
improve our nation's future prospects and the lives of its citizens. I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. I again express my support for the designation of the 
week of September 13 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1472.
  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. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

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