II

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 213

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

JUNE 30, 1993

Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

JULY 1 (legislative day, JUNE 30), 1993

Committee discharged

JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating July 2, 1993 and July 2, 1994 as ‘‘National

Literacy Day’’.

Whereas forty-two million Americans today read at a level

which is less than necessary for full survival needs;

Whereas there are thirty million adults in the United States

who cannot read, whose resources are left untapped, and

who are unable to offer their full contribution to society;

Whereas illiteracy is growing rapidly, as two million three

hundred thousand persons, including one million two

hundred thousand legal and illegal immigrants, one million high school dropouts, and one hundred thousand refugees, are added to the pool of illiterates 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 $225,000,000,000;
2

HJ 213 CDS

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 unable to perform at the standard necessary for available employment and the money allocated

to child welfare and unemployment compensation;

Whereas the percentage of illiterates in proportion to population size is higher for blacks and Hispanics, resulting

in increased economic and social discrimination against

these minorities;

Whereas the prison population represents the single highest

concentration of adult illiteracy;

Whereas one million children in the United States between

the ages of twelve and seventeen cannot read above a

third grade level, 13 per centum of all seventeen-year-olds

are functionally illiterate, and 15 per centum of graduates of urban high schools read at less than a sixth

grade level;

Whereas 85 per centum of the juveniles who appear in criminal court are functionally illiterate;

Whereas the 47 per centum illiteracy rate among black

youths is expected to increase;

Whereas one-half of all heads of households cannot read past

the eighth grade level and one-third of all mothers on

welfare are functionally illiterate;

Whereas the cycle of illiteracy continues because the children

of illiterate parents are often illiterate themselves because

of the lack of support they receive from their home environment;
3

HJ 213 CDS

Whereas Federal, State, municipal, and private literacy programs have only been able to reach 5 per centum of the

total illiterate population;

Whereas it is vital to call attention to the problem of illiteracy, to understand the severity of the problem and its

detrimental effects 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 also necessary to recognize and thank the thousands of volunteers who are working to promote literacy

and provide support to the millions of illiterates in need

of assistance: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That July 2, 1993 and July 2, 1994 are designated as

4 ‘‘National Literacy Day’’, and the President is authorized

5 and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the

6 people of the United States to observe such day with ap7 propriate ceremonies and activities.

Passed the House of Representatives June 29, 1993.

Attest: DONNALD K. ANDERSON,

Clerk.