A joint resolution to designate the month of September 1986 as "Adult Literacy Awareness Month".
PL 99-406 (S.J.Res.358), enacted 08/27/1986

PUBLIC LAW 99-406- AUG. 27, 1986 
100 STAT. 917 
Public Law 99-406 
99th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Aug. 27, 1986 
To designate the month of September 1986 as "Adult Literacy Awareness Month". 
r s j Res 3581 
Whereas the incidence of illiteracy and functional illiteracy among 
the Nation's adult population has critical effects on our economy, 
our social institutions, and our security; and unquantifiable per-
sonal implications and limitations for millions of Americans; 
Whereas estimates of illiterate or functionally illiterate Americans 
range from twenty-three million to over fifty million individuals 
lacking effective communication skills; 
Whereas adult illiteracy has not been the focus of general awareness 
and understanding; 
Whereas illiteracy is not limited to any region of the Nation, nor to 
any social, economic, or ethnic group, but is widespread and 
present in every community; 
Whereas adult illiterates are family members, providers, and citi-
zens of a community, and are motivated to improve their skills 
and lives by seeking remediation when it is provided; 
Whereas Americans traditionally have responded to the call to aid 
their fellow citizens when they are aware of and understand a 
problem, and can help resolve the problem of adult illiteracy by 
volunteering to serve as tutors, providing in-kind services, and 
supporting in numerous ways efforts to combat illiteracy; 
Whereas the problem of adult illiteracy is amendable to solution if 
there is maximum private initiative, public-private cooperation, 
and community action to provide assistance to those in need; 
Whereas the Federal Government is beginning to recognize the 
critical need to address adult illiteracy and the private sector is 
beginning to address the problem through a number of initiatives; 
Whereas one thousand four hundred newspapers will focus on the 
problem of adult literacy beginning the month of September 1986; 
and a major broadcast network and public broadcasting have 
joined together in an awareness and information campaign called 
Project Literacy US (PLUS) which will begin on-air programming 
in September 1986; 
Whereas more than seventy major national organizations including 
those involved in education, religion, business, labor, employee 
associations, agriculture, veterans, service clubs, trade and profes-
sional associations have pledged to support PLUS at the local 
level and among their membership; and 
Whereas others in communications—television, magazine publish-
ers, book publishers, broadcasters, and advertising agencies—will 
support and encourage efforts to raise awareness of the problem of 
adult illiteracy in September of 1986 and beyond: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the month of Septem-
ber 1986 is designated as "Adult Literacy Awareness Month" and 
the President of the United States is authorized and requested to 
100 STAT. 918 
PUBLIC LAW 99-406—AUG. 27, 1986 
issue a proclamation to that effect, calling on the American people 
and organizations of every kind to observe the month with activities 
to increase awareness of the problem of adult illiteracy and engage 
in programs to address the need to remediate illiteracy and func-
tional illiteracy among adults in our Nation. 
Approved August 27, 1986. 
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LEGISLATIVE HISTOW—S.J. Res. 358: 
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): 
Aug. 9, considered and passed Senate. 
Aug. 13, considered and passed House.