[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 27 (Monday, July 12, 1993)]
[Pages 1242-1243]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6578--National Literacy Day, 1993 and 1994

 July 2, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    America is a grand and prosperous Nation. We enjoy the highest 
standard of living of any major nation, and we lead the world in many 
other aspects. For instance, many of the greatest educational 
institutions in the world are American. However, despite this success--
or maybe because of it--Americans take many things for granted. Our 
relative wealth has often led us to neglect the basic strengths on which 
this Nation was founded and has prospered. One of these strengths is an 
education level for all Americans adequate to support a productive work 
force, strong family structures, and a responsible citizenry.
    Literacy is fundamental for all facets of life, yet there are 
approximately 27 million adults who lack the most fundamental skills 
necessary to survive and succeed in our society. It is my goal as 
President of the United States to give all Americans the opportunity to 
learn to read, write, and develop basic skills. National Literacy Day 
provides us a time to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all 
Americans possess the basic reading and math skills on which all further 
learning must be built.
    The fifth National Education Goal calls for every American, by the 
year 2000, to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a 
global economy. That goal highlights one critical fact of life: The 
world of work is changing rapidly. Americans, and especially young 
Americans, will never succeed in tomorrow's economy with yesterday's 
skills. That is why we must have the courage to change our education 
system to face the challenges of the 21st century.
    My Administration's education reform legislation, the Goals 2000: 
Educate America Act, establishes high academic and occupa- 

[[Page 1243]]

tional standards, while providing support to States and communities to 
help them reach those standards. Fifty million Americans have no high 
school diploma, and half of those who do graduate do not go on to 
college. We must be sure that these Americans receive the education and 
training they need to compete in a high-wage, high-skills economic 
climate.
    Literacy is not a luxury. It is a right and a responsibility. It is 
hard for most of us to imagine functioning in our society without the 
ability to complete a job application or balance a checkbook. It is a 
disadvantage that is intolerable in a Nation dedicated to the principles 
of freedom and equality.
    In recent years progress has been made toward a more widely literate 
society. States and communities, volunteer and religious organizations, 
businesses and labor organizations have all made invaluable 
contributions to raising public awareness and assisting undereducated 
adults. I applaud the good work that these groups have done, and I 
encourage them to join in a partnership with our Federal initiatives to 
completely erase American illiteracy by the year 2000.
    To recognize the urgent need to increase literacy to ensure the 
future well-being of our country and all its citizens, the Congress, by 
House Joint Resolution 213, has designated July 2, 1993, and July 2, 
1994, as ``National Literacy Day'' and has requested the President to 
issue a proclamation in observance of this day.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim July 2, 1993, and July 2, 1994, as 
``National Literacy Day.''
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of 
July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
seventeenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:53 a.m., July 6, 
1993]


Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on July 7. 
This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate 
issue.