IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 895 
Expressing support for designation of the week of September 26, 2016, 
as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 
Mr. POLIS (for himself, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. ROE of Tennessee) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Edu-
cation and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of the week of September 
26, 2016, as National Adult Education and Family Lit-
eracy Week. 
Whereas the literacy of its citizens is essential for the eco-
nomic 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 in-
dividuals reaping the full benefit of opportunities in the 
United States; 
Whereas the economy and our position in the world market-
place depend on having a literate, skilled population; 
Whereas the Nation’s unemployment rates are highest among 
those without a high school diploma or General Edu-
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cational 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 edu-
cation 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 chil-
dren 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 in-
volved 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, be-
comes more likely; 
Whereas studies show that two important factors that influ-
ence 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 
and follow medical instructions, endangering their lives 
and the lives of their loved ones; 
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Whereas many individuals who are unemployed, under-
employed, 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 postsec-
ondary education or vocational training, or become em-
ployed; 
Whereas a large portion of those in prison have low edu-
cational skills, and prisoners without skills are more like-
ly 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 lit-
eracy skills to succeed at home, at work, and in society; 
and 
Whereas the week of September 26, 2016, would be an ap-
propriate date to designate as National Adult Education 
and Family Literacy Week: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of National Adult 
Education and Family Literacy Week, including 
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raising public awareness about the importance of 
adult education and family literacy; 
(2) encourages people across the United States 
to support programs to assist those in need of adult 
education and family literacy programs; and 
(3) requests that the President issue a procla-
mation recognizing the importance of adult edu-
cation and family literacy programs, calling upon the 
Federal Government, States, localities, schools, li-
braries, nonprofit organizations, community-based 
organizations, consumer advocates, institutions of 
higher education, labor unions, and businesses to 
support increased access to adult education and fam-
ily literacy programs to ensure a literate society. 
Æ 
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