Bill Summary
This legislation, known as a Resolution, expresses the support of the House of Representatives for designating a specific week in September as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. The legislation highlights the importance of literacy, numeracy, and digital skills for individuals to succeed in their personal and professional lives, as well as for the economic well-being of the United States. It also recognizes the positive impact of adult education and family literacy programs in helping individuals improve their skills and achieve better job opportunities. The legislation calls on various entities to support and increase access to these programs to ensure a literate society.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation may affect people by highlighting the importance of adult education and family literacy, encouraging people to support and access these programs. This could potentially lead to increased opportunities and success for individuals who lack basic literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.
2. This legislation could also have a positive impact on the economic well-being of the United States by emphasizing the need for a literate, skilled population. This could lead to better job opportunities and a stronger economy.
3. By recognizing the importance of parental involvement in a child's education, this legislation could also benefit families by promoting family literacy programs that can help parents become more involved in their child's education and increase the child's chances of success in school and future endeavors.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 646 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 646
Expressing support for designation of the week of September 19 through
25, 2021, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 14, 2021
Mr. Yarmuth (for himself and Mr. Wilson of South Carolina) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of the week of September 19 through
25, 2021, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.
Whereas the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reports that
over 40,000,000 adults in the United States lack the basic literacy,
numeracy, and digital skills necessary to succeed at home, in the
workplace, and in society;
Whereas the literacy of the people of the United States is essential for the
economic and societal well-being of the United States;
Whereas the United States reaps the economic benefits of individuals who improve
their literacy, numeracy, and English-language skills;
Whereas literacy and educational skills are necessary for individuals to fully
benefit from the range of opportunities available in the United States;
Whereas the economy and position of the United States in the world marketplace
depend on having a literate, skilled population;
Whereas the unemployment rate in the United States is highest among those
without a high school diploma or an equivalent credential, demonstrating
that education is important to economic recovery;
Whereas the educational skills of the parents of a child and the practice of
reading to a child have a direct impact on the educational success of
the child;
Whereas parental involvement in the education of a child is a key predictor of
the success of a child, and the level of parental involvement in the
education of a child increases as the educational level of the parent
increases;
Whereas parents who participate in family literacy programs become more involved
in the education of their children and gain the tools necessary to
obtain a job or find better employment;
Whereas, as a result of family literacy programs, the lives of children become
more stable and the success of children in the classroom and in future
endeavors becomes more likely;
Whereas adults need to be part of a long-term solution to the educational
challenges faced by the people of the United States;
Whereas many older people in the United States lack the reading, mathematics, or
English-language skills necessary to read a prescription and follow
medical instructions, which endangers the lives of older people and the
lives of their loved ones;
Whereas many individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or receive public
assistance lack the literacy skills necessary to obtain and keep a job,
to continue their education, or to participate in job training programs;
Whereas many high school dropouts do not have the literacy skills necessary to
complete their education, transition to postsecondary education or
career and technical training, or obtain a job;
Whereas a large portion of individuals in prison have low educational skills and
persons without educational skills are more likely to return to prison
once released;
Whereas many immigrants in the United States do not have the literacy skills
necessary to succeed in the United States; and
Whereas National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week highlights the need to
ensure that each individual in the United States has the literacy skills
necessary to succeed at home, at work, and in society: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of National Adult Education
and Family Literacy Week to raise public awareness about the
importance of adult education, workforce skills, and family
literacy;
(2) encourages people across the United States to support
programs to assist individuals in need of adult education,
workforce skills, and family literacy programs;
(3) recognizes the importance of adult education, workforce
skills, and family literacy programs; and
(4) calls on public, private, and nonprofit entities to
support increased access to adult education and family literacy
programs to ensure a literate society.
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