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[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 92 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 92

  Designating July 2, 1997, and July 2, 1998, as ``National Literacy 
                                 Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 23, 1997

 Mr. Lautenberg submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                   to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Designating July 2, 1997, and July 2, 1998, as ``National Literacy 
                                 Day''.

Whereas 44,000,000 United States citizens today read at a level that is less 
        than the level necessary for full survival needs;
Whereas there are 40,000,000 adults in the United States who cannot read, whose 
        resources are left untapped, and who are unable to make a full 
        contribution to society;
Whereas illiteracy is growing rapidly, as 2,500,000 persons, including as many 
        as 1,300,000 immigrants, 1,500,000 high school dropouts, and 100,000 
        refugees, are added to the pool of illiterate persons annually;
Whereas the annual cost of illiteracy to the United States in terms of welfare 
        expenditures, crime, prison expenses, lost revenues, and industrial and 
        military accidents has been estimated at $230,000,000,000;
Whereas the competitiveness of the United States is eroded by the presence in 
        the workplace of millions of Americans who are functionally or 
        technologically illiterate;
Whereas there is a direct correlation between the number of illiterate adults 
        who are unable to perform at the standard necessary for available 
        employment and the money allocated to child welfare and unemployment 
        compensation;
Whereas the percentage of illiterate persons in proportion to population 
        percentage is higher for African Americans and Hispanics, resulting in 
        increased economic and social discrimination against these minorities;
Whereas the prison population represents the highest concentration of adult 
        illiteracy;
Whereas 1,000,000 children in the United States between the ages of 12 and 17 
        years old cannot read above a third grade level, 13 percent of all 17-
        year-olds are functionally illiterate, and 15 percent of graduates of 
        urban high schools read at less than a sixth grade level;
Whereas 85 percent of the juveniles who appear in criminal court are 
        functionally illiterate;
Whereas the 47 percent illiteracy rate among African American youths is expected 
        to increase;
Whereas \1/2\ of all heads of households cannot read above an eighth grade level 
        and \1/3\ of all mothers on welfare are functionally illiterate;
Whereas the cycle of illiteracy continues because the children of illiterate 
        parents are often illiterate themselves due to the lack of support the 
        children receive from their home environment;
Whereas Federal, State, municipal, and private literacy programs have been able 
        to reach only 5 percent of the total illiterate population;
Whereas it is vital to call attention to the problem of illiteracy, to 
        understand the severity of the illiteracy problem and the detrimental 
        effects of illiteracy on our society, and to reach those who are 
        illiterate and unaware of the free services and help available to them; 
        and
Whereas it is necessary to recognize and thank the thousands of volunteers who 
        are working to promote literacy and provide support to the millions of 
        illiterate persons in need of assistance: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates July 2, 1997, and July 2, 1998, as 
        ``National Literacy Day''; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling on the people of the United States to observe 
        ``National Literacy Day'' with appropriate ceremonies and 
        activities.
                                 <all>
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