A joint resolution designating July 2, 1989, as "National Literacy Day".
PL 101-50 (S.J.Res.96), enacted 06/30/1989

PUBLIC LAW 101-50—JUNE 30, 1989 
103 STAT. 139 
Public Law 101-50 
^' 
101st Congress 
Joint Resolution 
June 30, 1989 
Designating July 2, 1989, as "National Literacy Day". 
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Whereas literacy is a necessary tool for survival in our society; 
WhereEis thirty-five million Americans today read at a level which is 
less than necessary for full survival needs; 
Whereas there are twenty-seven 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; 
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 illit-
erate 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 con-
centration 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 to 50 per centum by 1990; 
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; 
Whereas Federal, State, municipal, and private literacy programs 
have only been able to reach 5 per centum of the total illiterate 
population; 
103 STAT. 140 
PUBLIC LAW 101-50—JUNE 30, 1989 
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 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That July 2, 1989, is 
designated as "National Literacy Day", and the President is au-
thorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the 
people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities. 
Approved June 30, 1989. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 96: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 135 (1989): 
June 9, considered and passed Senate. 
June 29, considered and passed House.