III 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 821 

Expressing support for designation of the week of September 15 through 

21, 2024, as ‘‘National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 

Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. KING, Mr. DURBIN, and Mr. YOUNG) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of the week of September 

15 through 21, 2024, as ‘‘National Adult Education 

and Family Literacy Week’’. 

Whereas the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 

Development reports that more than 43,000,000 adults 

in the United States lack the basic literacy, numeracy, 

and digital skills 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 and the 

national security of the United States; 

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

English-language skills; 


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•SRES 821 ATS 

Whereas literacy, numeracy, and digital 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 essential for economic recovery; 

Whereas the educational skills of the parents of a child and 

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

the educational success of the child; 

Whereas parental involvement in the education of a child is 

a key predictor of the success of a child, and the level 

of parental involvement in the education of a child increases as the educational level of the parent increases; 

Whereas parents who participate in family literacy programs 

become more involved in the education of their children 

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 the success of children 

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 individuals in the United States lack the 

reading, numeracy, or English-language skills necessary 

to read a prescription and follow medical instructions, 


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which endangers the lives of older individuals and the 

lives of their loved ones; 

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

skills necessary to obtain and retain employment, to continue their education, or to participate in job training 

and career development 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 work that provides a living wage; 

Whereas a large portion of individuals in prison have low 

educational skills, and individuals 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, numeracy, and digital skills necessary to succeed at home, at work, and in 

society: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Adult 

3 Education and Family Literacy Week’’ to raise pub4 lic awareness about the importance of adult edu5 cation, workforce skills, and family literacy; 

6 (2) encourages people across the United States 

7 to support programs that assist individuals in need 


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•SRES 821 ATS 

1 of adult education, workforce skills, and family lit2 eracy programs; 

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

6 (4) calls on public, private, and nonprofit enti7 ties to support increased access to adult education 

8 and family literacy programs to ensure a fully lit9 erate society. 

Æ 


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