III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 558 

Designating the week of September 22 through 28, 2014, as ‘‘National 

Adult Education and Family Literacy Week’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 17 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 16), 2014 

Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. REED, Mr. JOHNSON of 

South Dakota, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. COCHRAN, Ms. COLLINS, 

and Ms. MIKULSKI) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the week of September 22 through 28, 2014, 

as ‘‘National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week’’. 

Whereas the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development reports that approximately 36,000,000 adults 

in the United States lack the basic literacy and numeracy 

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 economic and societal well-being of the 

United States; 

Whereas the United States reaps the economic benefits of individuals who improve their literacy, numeracy, and 

English-language skills; 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 558 ATS 

Whereas literacy and educational skills are necessary for individuals to fully benefit from the range of opportunities 

available in the United States; 

Whereas the economy and position of the United States in 

the world marketplace depend on having a literate, skilled 

population; 

Whereas the unemployment rate in the United States is highest among those without a high school diploma or an 

equivalent credential, demonstrating that education is important to economic recovery; 

Whereas the educational skills of a child’s parents and the 

practice of reading to a child have a direct impact on the 

educational success of the child; 

Whereas parental involvement in a child’s education is a key 

predictor of a child’s success, and the level of parental involvement in a child’s education increases as the educational level of the parent increases; 

Whereas parents who participate 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, the lives of 

children become more stable, and their success in the 

classroom and in future endeavors becomes more likely; 

Whereas adults need to be part of a long-term solution to the 

educational challenges faced by the people of the United 

States; 

Whereas many older people in the United States lack the 

reading, math, or English skills necessary to read a prescription and follow medical instructions, which endangers their lives and the lives of their loved ones; 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 558 ATS 

Whereas many individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or receive public assistance lack the literacy 

skills necessary to obtain and keep a job to provide for 

their families, to continue their education, or to participate in job training programs; 

Whereas many high school dropouts do not have the literacy 

skills necessary to complete their education, transition to 

postsecondary education or career and technical training, 

or obtain a job; 

Whereas a large portion 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 in the United States do not have 

the literacy skills necessary to succeed in the United 

States; and 

Whereas National Adult Education and Family Literacy 

Week highlights the need to ensure that each individual 

in the United States has the literacy skills necessary to 

succeed at home, at work, and in society: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the week of September 22 

3 through 28, 2014, as ‘‘National Adult Education 

4 and Family Literacy Week’’ to raise public aware5 ness about the importance of adult education, work6 force skills, and family literacy; 

7 (2) encourages people across the United States 

8 to support programs to assist individuals in need of 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
4 

•SRES 558 ATS 

1 adult education, workforce skills, and family literacy 

2 programs; 

3 (3) recognizes the importance of adult edu4 cation, workforce skills, and family literacy pro5 grams; and 

6 (4) calls upon public, private, and nonprofit en7 tities to support increased access to adult education 

8 and family literacy programs to ensure a literate so9 ciety. 

Æ 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS