III

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,
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•SRES 92 IS

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
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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

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

2 (1) designates July 2, 1997, and July 2, 1998,

3 as ‘‘National Literacy Day’’; and

4 (2) requests that the President issue a procla5 mation calling on the people of the United States to

6 observe ‘‘National Literacy Day’’ with appropriate

7 ceremonies and activities.

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