[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 13061-13062]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY WEEK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 258.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 258) supporting the designation of 
     the ``National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any 
statements on this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 258) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, and its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 258

       Whereas the National Assessment of Adult Literacy reports 
     that approximately 90,000,000 adults in the United States 
     lack the literacy, numeracy, or English language skills 
     necessary to succeed at home, in the workplace, and in 
     society;
       Whereas the literacy of the people of the United States is 
     essential for the social and economic well-being of the 
     United States, and literacy allows individuals to benefit 
     from full participation in society;
       Whereas the United States reaps the economic benefits from 
     the efforts of individuals to raise their literacy, numeracy, 
     and English language skills;
       Whereas literacy and educational skills are a prerequisite 
     to individuals reaping the full benefit of opportunities in 
     the United States;
       Whereas the economy and the position of the United States 
     in the world marketplace

[[Page 13062]]

     depend on having a literate, skilled population;
       Whereas the unemployment rate in the United States is 
     highest among individuals without a high school diploma or an 
     equivalent credential, indicating that education is key to 
     economic recovery;
       Whereas parents who are educated and read to their children 
     directly impact the educational success of their children;
       Whereas parental involvement is a key predictor of a 
     child's success, and 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 of family literacy programs, 
     children's lives become more stable, and success in the 
     classroom, and in all future endeavors, becomes more likely;
       Whereas adults need to be part of a long-term solution to 
     the education challenges of the United States;
       Whereas many older people in the United States lack the 
     reading, math, or English language skills necessary 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 to sustain their family, 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 career and technical training, or 
     become employed;
       Whereas a large percentage of individuals in prison have 
     low educational skills, and prisoners without educational 
     skills are more likely to return to prison once released;
       Whereas many immigrants to the United States do not have 
     the literacy skills necessary to succeed in the United 
     States;
       Whereas National Adult Education and Family Literacy week 
     highlights the need to ensure that each and every citizen has 
     the necessary literacy and educational skills to succeed at 
     home, at work, and in society; and
       Whereas the week beginning September 12, 2011, would be an 
     appropriate week to designate as National Adult Education and 
     Family Literacy Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of National Adult Education 
     and Family Literacy Week, including raising public awareness 
     about the importance of adult education, workforce skills, 
     and family literacy;
       (2) encourages people across the United States to support 
     programs to assist those in need of adult education, 
     workforce skills upgrading, and family literacy programs; and
       (3) recognizes the importance of adult education, workforce 
     skills, and family literacy programs, and calls upon public, 
     private, and non-profit stakeholders to support increased 
     access to adult education and family literacy programs to 
     ensure a literate society.

                          ____________________