Designating November 30, 1992, through December 6, 1992, as "National Education First Week".
PL 102-473 (H.J.Res.543), enacted 10/23/1992

PUBLIC LAW 102-473—OCT. 23, 1992 
106 STAT. 2293 
Public Law 102-473 
102d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Designating November 30, 1992, through December 6, 1992, as '^fational Education 
Oct. 23, 1992 
First Week". 
[H.J. Res. 543] 
Whereas the future economic success and democratic vitality of 
the United States depend primarily on the Nation's ability to 
provide a world class education from kindergarten through 12th 
grade; 
Whereas all people of the United States have the right to a fulfilling, 
free, and safe elementary and secondary education that will 
enable them to be productive, skilled, and literate citizens; 
Whereas the United States faces an unprecedented education crisis 
in which students fail to graduate from high school at a rate 
of 3,000 students a day (or more than 1,000,000 students a 
year) for the general population, and 46 percent for Black and 
Hispanic students; 
Whereas 26,000,000 people in the United States are functionally 
illiterate, and only 40 percent of the Nation's students are able 
to solve math problems requiring 2 or more steps; 
Whereas international competitors are outpacing the United States 
in preparing their students for the 21st century, as evidenced 
by data indicating that a Japanese student spends 30 percent 
more time in school than a student in the IJnited States and 
that Japan has a literacy rate of almost 98 percent; 
Whereas the education crisis of the United States places great 
strains on the Nation's economic, social, and politiciEd fabric, as 
evidenced by data indicating that 80 percent of prisoners are 
high school dropouts, 77 percent of college graduates (but only 
37 percent of individuals with not more than an 8th grade edu-
cation) voted in the 1988 presidential election, and only 3 percent 
of the Nation's high school graduates can understand distinctions 
among employee benefits plans; 
Whereas the Nation's education crisis has reached such damaging 
proportions that only a coordinated, long-term effort by all sectors 
of the United States, including business, government, media, 
labor, and educators, can adequately address tiie challenge; 
Whereas the media, including the television networks, the motion 
picture studios, and the cable television networks, are powerful 
tools to influence and arouse the public to a better imderstanding 
of the scope and severity of the education crisis, as well as 
to potential grassroots and legislative solutions to the crisis; 
Whereas the commitment of the television networks to promote 
"Education First Week" represents the single greatest commit-
ment of broadcast resources in the history of the television 
medium to address a national problem; and 
Whereas "Education First Week" presents a unique opportunity 
to mobilize national and local political and public awareness 
through the media and is a significant step in confronting the 
Nation's education crisis: Now, therefore, be it 
106 STAT. 2294 
PUBLIC LAW 102-473—OCT. 23, 1992 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That November 
30, 1992, through December 6, 1992, is designated as "National 
Education First Week", and the President is authorized and 
requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the 
United States to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies 
and activities. 
Approved October 23, 1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 543 (S.J. Res. 316): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 138 (1992): 
Oct. 5, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 8, considered and passed Senate.