Designating July 2, 1993 and July 2, 1994 as "National Literacy Day".
PL 103-52 (H.J.Res.213), enacted 07/16/1993

PUBLIC LAW 103-52—JULY 16, 1993 
107 STAT. 271 
Public Law 103-52 
103d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Designating July 2, 1993 and July 2, 1994 as "National Literacy Day". 
Whereas forty-two million Americans today read at a level which 
is less than necessary for full survival needs; 
Whereas there are thirty 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 emplojmient 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 lu-ban 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; 
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; 
July 16, 1993 
[H.J. Res. 213] 
107 STAT. 272 
PUBLIC LAW 103-52—JULY 16, 1993 
Whereas Federal, State, municipal, and private literacy programs 
have only been able to reach 5 per centxun of the total illiterate 
population; 
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, 1993 
and July 2, 1994 are designated as "National Literacy Da3r", and 
the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation 
calling upon the people of the United States to observe such day 
with appropriate ceremonies and activities. 
Approved July 16, 1993. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 213 (S.J. Res. 106): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 139 (1993): 
June 29, considered and passed House. 
July 1, considered and passed Senate.