IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 743 

Expressing support for designation of the week of September 22, 2014, 

as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 

Mr. POLIS (for himself, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. 

CICILLINE, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. YARMUTH, Ms. NORTON, Mr. ROE of 

Tennessee, and Mr. HOLT) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of the week of September 

22, 2014, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. 

Whereas the literacy of its citizens is essential for the economic well-being of the United States, our society, and 

the individuals who can benefit from full participation 

therein; 

Whereas literacy and education skills are a prerequisite to individuals reaping the full benefit of opportunities in the 

United States; 

Whereas the economy and our position in the world marketplace depend on having a literate, skilled population; 


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Whereas the Nation’s unemployment rates are highest among 

those without a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) credential, indicating that 

education is key to economic recovery; 

Whereas our Nation reaps the economic benefits of those who 

raise their literacy, numeracy, and English language 

skills; 

Whereas our Nation needs older adults to reenter the education pipeline and transition to college if we are to meet 

the President’s goal of the highest proportion of college 

graduates by 2020 and if we are to be internationally 

competitive by 2025; 

Whereas the education skills of parents and reading to children have a direct impact on the educational success of 

their children; 

Whereas, parental involvement is a key predictor of a child’s 

success, 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, children’s lives become more stable, and 

success in the classroom, and in all future endeavors, becomes more likely; 

Whereas studies show that two important factors that influence student achievement are the mother’s education level 

and poverty in the home, it is clear that if adults are not 

part of the learning equation, then there is no long-term 

solution to our Nation’s education challenges; 

Whereas many older people in the United States lack the 

reading, math, or English skills to read a prescription 


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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 with a family-sustaining 

income, 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 vocational training, or become employed; 

Whereas a large portion of those in prison have low educational skills, and prisoners without skills are more likely to return to prison once released; 

Whereas many of our Nation’s immigrants do not have the 

literacy skills to succeed in their new home country; 

Whereas the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 

Development’s Survey of Adult Skills reports that 

36,000,000 adults lack the literacy, numeracy, or English 

language skills to succeed at home, in the workplace, and 

in society; 

Whereas National Adult Education and Family Literacy week 

highlights the need for our government to support efforts 

to ensure each and every citizen has the necessary literacy skills to succeed at home, at work, and in society; 

and 

Whereas the week of September 22, 2014, would be an appropriate date to designate as National Adult Education 

and Family Literacy Week: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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1 (1) supports the designation of National Adult 

2 Education and Family Literacy Week, including 

3 raising public awareness about the importance of 

4 adult education and family literacy; 

5 (2) encourages people across the United States 

6 to support programs to assist those in need of adult 

7 education and family literacy programs; and 

8 (3) requests that the President issue a procla9 mation recognizing the importance of adult edu10 cation and family literacy programs, calling upon the 

11 Federal Government, States, localities, schools, li12 braries, nonprofit organizations, community-based 

13 organizations, consumer advocates, institutions of 

14 higher education, labor unions, and businesses to 

15 support increased access to adult education and fam16 ily literacy programs to ensure a literate society. 

Æ 


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