Recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, promoting children's literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 232) recognizing and commending the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, promoting children's literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 232 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 232, a resolution to recognize and commend the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its contributions in raising awareness of illiteracy, promoting children's literacy, and fighting poverty through the support of literacy.

For more than 60 years, Toys for Tots has been bringing smiles to the faces of less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy. After supporting Toys for Tots since 2005 and raising some $1.3 million to help brighten the lives of thousands of children nationwide, the UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. network launched the Toys for Tots Literacy Program in March 2008 to expand upon its existing partnership and to serve as an example of what small businesses can do to help their community.

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program stands by its mission of offering the Nation's most economically disadvantaged children the ability to compete academically and to succeed in life by providing them direct access to resources that enhance their ability to read and to communicate effectively. By providing less fortunate children with tools that will help them break the cycle of poverty, Toys for Tots maintains its initiative of delivering hope while extending its reach and impact in a very meaningful way.

This outstanding program has touched the lives of many since every $1 donation helps the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation buy a book for a deserving child within the community where it was donated. Since its creation in March of 2008, more than $800,000 has been raised for the literacy program through a variety of activities, including donation card campaigns, coin box collections, special events, and sponsorships. This equates to more than 800,000 books being delivered to children across our Nation.

Given the estimate that in low-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is one age-appropriate book for every 300 children, this program not only brings children the joy of reading, but also serves as an important tool in breaking that cycle of poverty.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves to commend the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for its outstanding efforts in raising awareness of illiteracy and fighting poverty by promoting literacy. And I thank my colleague, Representative Graves, for introducing this resolution.

I urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this resolution, Mr. Speaker, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, obviously the literacy issue is one of great significance to all age demographics out there. However, if we can create a program such as Toys for Tots whereby we combat illiteracy and raise awareness of the importance of literacy and allow for us to conquer poverty at the same time, we can accomplish many, many good things in the lives of children.

I thank Representative Graves for having introduced House Resolution 232. Again, I strongly encourage our colleagues to support the measure before the House.

I yield back my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Toys for Tots Literacy Program for their commitment

to providing our Nation's less fortunate children with the resources they need to develop early reading skills. I ask all of my colleagues to support this resolution. I have no requests for time.

I yield back the balance of my time.