Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 878, which ``expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day.'' A great American, Fredrick Douglass, once said ``Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.'' For America, literacy is the key that unlocks the door to our success, to our defense, and to our freedom.

Illiteracy should be considered the root of many problems in our lives today; it leads to alienation of students in school and their community. For example, in my home district, the 18th District of Texas approximately 68 percent of those arrested, 75 percent of welfare dependants, 85 percent of dropouts, and 72 percent of the unemployed are identified as functionally illiterate (Youth Plus). One in three adults in the greater Houston metropolitan area functions at the lowest level of literacy, they are unable to read and comprehend a menu or a street map, fill out a job application, or read the directions on a medicine bottle (Literacy Advance of Houston). And in Texas, 85 percent of teenagers appearing in juvenile court are functionally illiterate (Youth Plus).

No skill can be rendered more crucial to our future, nor to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy. Literacy and knowledge is the premise of reaching one's full potential as an upstanding citizen. President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, ``A book is the most effective weapon against intolerance and ignorance,'' in order for us to utilize this priceless weapon, we must educate one another.

Our children are made readers on the laps of their parents. Therefore the literacy of parents has a direct impact on the educational success of their children. Parental involvement is an intricate part of a child's success and as the level of parental involvement increases the education level of the child increases. Unfortunately, according to the National Adult Literacy Survey, 42 million adult Americans can't read. Another 50 million can recognize so few printed words they are limited to a 4th or 5th grade reading level; one out of every four teenagers drops out of high school, and of those who graduate, one out of every four has the equivalent or less of an eighth grade education. Parents in family literacy programs have proven to become more involved in their children's education and gain the tools necessary to obtain a job or find better employment.

A parent's education and income are two of the biggest factors in determining a child's

success in school. Advocating literacy across America will result in children's lives becoming more stable, lead to higher achievement in the classroom and success in all future endeavors becomes inevitable. Studies have shown that two important factors that influence student achievement are the mother's education level and poverty in the home. It is clear that if adults are not part of the learning equation, then there is no long-term solution to our Nation's education challenges. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy reports that 90,000,000 adults lack the literacy, numeracy, or English language skills to succeed at home, in the workplace, and in society. National Family Literacy Day would highlight the need for our government to support efforts to ensure each and every citizen has the necessary literacy skills to succeed at home, at work, and in society. I support the designation of National Family Literacy Day on November 1, which encourages parents to become involved in their children's education and schoolwork, as well as people across the United States to support programs to assist those in need of adult education and family literacy programs.

Children who participate in family literacy programs demonstrate significant gains in oral language skills and score higher on standardized tests. I call upon the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, community- based organizations, consumer advocates, institutions of higher education, labor unions, and businesses to support increased access to adult education and family literacy programs to ensure a literate society.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 878) expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous materials on H. Res. 878 into the Record.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 878, which recognizes November 1, 2009, as National Family Literacy Day and acknowledges the benefits of parent involvement in their child's education.

Family literacy programs address the literacy needs and challenges children and families in our country deal with every day. These programs provide parents with knowledge and skills that allow them to be their child's first and most important teacher. Family literacy programs also help parents to be active participants in their child's education. For children, family literacy programs help increase children's literary and oral skills. In addition, research has shown these programs can help improve children's scores on standardized tests.

National Family Literacy Day promotes the importance of literacy for both children and adults. According to the National Center for Family Literacy, parent-child literacy activities, such as parents reading to their children, improve children's language skills and increase their interest in books.

Parent-child literacy activities also benefit low-literacy adults. It helps adults build confidence and develop their literary skills and contributes to self-sufficiency for adults and families across the Nation, leading to better jobs, workforce readiness, and higher education degrees.

In honor of National Family Literacy Day, approximately 8,000 literacy programs and schools will hold workshops, book drives, and family reading activities in libraries and community centers across the Nation.

Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for National Family Literacy Day. I thank Representative Platts for bringing this resolution forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time as well, Madam Speaker.

Madam 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.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 878, expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day. Literacy is an issue that is important to people of all ages, from kindergarteners just learning to read to adults whose everyday lives require reading skills. Problems with literacy also affect people of all ages. Children with literacy problems are far more likely to drop out of school before they graduate than those without literacy problems. In addition, approximately 85 percent of all juvenile offenders have problems reading.

Approximately one in seven American adults have difficulty reading, according to the most recent literacy report. Difficulty reading spans generations and affects people of all ages. Family literacy encourages parents and children to learn together and encourages parents to become involved in their children's education. Multigenerational learning enables every willing family member to engage in learning and improve their ability to read.

Children specifically can benefit from family literacy in a number of ways. Children spend a large majority of their time outside of school. Engaging children in reading in their family environment allows children to extend their learning time beyond the time they spend in school. Additionally, research has shown that children whose parents are involved in their education perform better in school. Family literacy encourages families to learn together and support each other in improving their literacy skills.

National Family Literacy Day took place November 1 this year. On this day, schools, libraries and community centers were encouraged to hold book drives, family reading events, workshops and other events that encourage families to read together. Approximately 8,000 literacy programs and schools held events to honor National Family Literacy Day this year. By recognizing National Family Literacy Day, we honor the importance of families learning and reading together.

I am honored to support this resolution, and I ask my colleagues to join me.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 878. I am proud to have introduced this resolution that recognizes the benefits of parental involvement in a child's education, and supports the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day.

As we all know, the role of a parent or guardian in a child's life is one that is irreplaceable and lasts far beyond the adolescent years. Today, I stand in recognition of the importance of family literacy in the education of children. While a child's education at school is irrevocably important, we must fully recognize that education begins at home.

National Family Literacy Day occurred on November 1st of this year reminding us of the integral role parents play in their child's pathway to learning. Approximately 8,000 literacy programs and schools held readings, workshops, book drives, and family activities at libraries and community centers across the country in honor of this important day.

Research has shown that a parent's education and income are the two largest indicators of a child's success in school. Given that children spend five times as much time outside of the classroom as in school, we must continue to focus on the importance of family literacy programs. Children who participate in family literacy programs demonstrate significant gains in oral language skills and score higher on standardized tests. The future and prosperity of our great Nation is dependent on the quality of education that our children receive today.

That is why I stand in support of this resolution, recognizing the goals and ideals of Family Literacy Day. I ask for my colleagues' support of House Resolution 878.

Madam Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to be present in the Capitol for votes on Thursday, November 5, 2009. However, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on:

1. Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule for H.R. 2868--Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009;

2. H. Res. 885--Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2868-- Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009;

3. H. Res. 868--Honoring and recognizing the service and achievements of current and former female members of the Armed Forces;

4. Senate Amendments to H.R. 3548--Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009;

5. H. Con. Res. 139--Congratulating the first graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy on their 50th graduation anniversary and recognizing their contributions to the Nation;

6. H.R. 1849--World War I Memorial and Centennial Act of 2009;

7. H.R. 3276--American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009;

8. H. Res. 878--Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day;

And I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 880--Recognizing the efforts of career and technical colleges to educate and train workers for positions in high-demand industries.