[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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