[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 135 (Friday, September 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1318-E1319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. ROBERT S. LAUBACH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 18, 2015

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Dr. Robert Laubach, a pioneer in adult literacy and lifelong advocate 
of literacy and education. Dr. Robert Laubach, affectionately known as 
Dr. Bob, was born in the Philippines and lived there through his high 
school years. Dr. Bob moved to the United States and completed his 
undergraduate studies in Ohio. He went on to pursue graduate studies at 
Syracuse University where he earned a master's degree in journalism and 
a Ph.D. in education.
   Dr. Bob developed his love of literacy and journalism at an early 
age, working the printing press for his dad's early literacy work. Dr. 
Bob traveled to over 40 countries in 5 years when he was in his 
twenties with his father and Dr. Bob carried his passion for literacy, 
both nationally and internationally for the rest of his life.
   In 1952, Dr. Bob founded the Syracuse University Literacy Journalism 
program and taught hundreds of educators from around the world how to 
prepare literacy materials. Dr. Bob developed literacy primers in local 
languages and organized literacy programs in more than 60 countries. In 
1959, Dr. Bob began publishing News for You, a weekly news source for 
adult new readers, which is still in publication today. Dr. Bob also 
founded New Readers Press, which develops and publishes instructional 
materials for adult learners and adult education teachers. Today, New 
Readers Press continues to provide over 400 educational titles that 
help adults learn how to read, write, and do basic math.
   Dr. Bob was more than an educator, he was an innovator who helped 
changed countless lives by giving the gift of literacy. Dr. Bob's 
legacy of literacy will live on in the Central New York community, and 
all over the world through the thousands of literacy organizations, 
tutors, trainers, volunteers, and students who continue to work toward 
his dream of a world where everyone can read and write.

[[Page E1319]]

  

                          ____________________