IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 232 

Recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its 

contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, promoting children’s literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 10, 2009 

Mr. GRAVES submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Education and Labor 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots Literacy 

Program for its contributions in raising awareness of 

illiteracy, promoting children’s literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy. 

Whereas, for more than 60 years, Toys for Tots has been 

bringing smiles to the faces of less fortunate children 

through the gift of a new toy; 

Whereas, after supporting Toys for Tots since 2005 and raising $1.3 million to help brighten the lives of thousands 

of children nationwide, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes 

Etc. network launched the Toys for Tots Literacy Program in March 2008 to expand upon their existing partnership as an example of what small businesses can do 

to help their community; 


rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
2 

•HRES 232 IH 

Whereas the mission of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program 

is to offer the Nation’s most economically disadvantaged 

children the ability to compete academically and to succeed in life by providing them direct access to resources 

that enhance their ability to read and to communicate effectively; 

Whereas this initiative maintains the Toys for Tots mission 

of delivering hope while extending its reach and impact 

in a meaningful way by providing less fortunate children 

with tools that can help them break the cycle of poverty; 

Whereas, in 2007, the National Center for Educational Statistics released its annual Reading Report, which asserts 

that 33 percent of all fourth graders in the United States 

still cannot read at even the basic level, highlighting the 

need for a program like the Toys for Tots Literacy Program; 

Whereas every $1 donation helps the Marine Toys for Tots 

Foundation buy a book for a deserving child within the 

community where it was donated; 

Whereas since March 2008 more than $630,000 has been 

raised for the Toys for Tots Literacy Program through 

a variety of activities, including donation card campaigns, 

coin box collections, special events, and sponsorships; 

Whereas March 2009 marks the one-year anniversary of the 

Toys for Tots Literacy Program; and 

Whereas the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has created a 

literacy award, in honor of Alferd Williams, a 71-year-old 

resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, who, to combat illiteracy, enrolled in Alesia Hamilton’s first-grade class at 

Edison Elementary School in St. Joseph; Now, therefore, 

be it 


rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS
3 

•HRES 232 IH 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes that the Toys for Tots Literacy 

3 Program has made significant contributions in rais4 ing awareness of illiteracy and promoting children’s 

5 literacy; and 

6 (2) recognizes and commends the Toys for Tots 

7 Literacy Program for its effort to battle poverty 

8 through the support of literacy. 

Æ 


rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with BILLS