Senate Concurrent Resolution 526

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE THE SECOND WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2013 AS "NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY WEEK IN MISSISSIPPI."

WHEREAS, the National Assessment of Adult Literacy reports that approximately 90,000,000 adults in the United States lack the literacy, numeracy or English language skills necessary to succeed at home, in the workplace, and in society; and

WHEREAS, the literacy of the people of the United States and the State of Mississippi is essential for the social and economic well-being of the United States, and literacy allows individuals to benefit from full participation in society; and

WHEREAS, the United States and the State of Mississippi reap the economic benefits from the efforts of individuals to raise their literacy, numeracy and English language skills; and

WHEREAS, literacy and educational skills are a prerequisite to individuals reaping the full benefit of opportunities in the United States and the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the economy and the position of the United States and the State of Mississippi in the world marketplace depend on having a literate, skilled population; and

WHEREAS, the unemployment rate in the United States and the State of Mississippi is highest among individuals without a high school diploma or an equivalent credential, indicating that education is key to economic recovery; and

WHEREAS, parents who are educated and read to their children directly impact the educational success of their children; and

WHEREAS, parental involvement is a key predictor of a child's success, and the level of parental involvement increases as the education level of the parent increases; and

WHEREAS, parents in family literacy programs become more involved in their children's education and gain the tools necessary to obtain a job or find better employment; and

WHEREAS, as a result of family literacy programs, children's lives becomes more stable, and success in the classroom, and in all future endeavors, becomes more likely; and

WHEREAS, adults need to be part of a long-term solution to the education challenges of the United States and the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, many older people in the United States and the State of Mississippi lack the reading, math or English language skills necessary to read a prescription and follow medical instructions, endangering their lives and the lives of their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, many individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or receive public assistance lack the literacy skills to obtain and keep a job to sustain their family, continue their education, or participate in job training programs; and

WHEREAS, many high school dropouts do not have the literacy skills to complete their education, transition to postsecondary education or career and technical training, or become employed; and

WHEREAS, a large percentage of individuals in prison have low educational skills, and prisoners without educational skills are more likely to return to prison once released; and

WHEREAS, many immigrants to the United States and the State of Mississippi do not have the literacy skills necessary to succeed; and

WHEREAS, National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week highlights the need to ensure that each and every citizen has the necessary literacy and educational skills to succeed at home, at work, and in society; and

WHEREAS, the week beginning September 9, 2013, would be an appropriate week to designate as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby:

(a) Designate the week beginning September 9, 2013, as "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in Mississippi," including raising public awareness about the importance of adult education, workforce skills and family literacy;

(b) Encourage people across the State of Mississippi to support programs to assist those in need of adult education, workforce skills upgrading, and family literacy programs; and

(c) Recognize the importance of adult education, workforce skills, and family literacy programs, and call upon public, private and nonprofit stakeholders to support increased access to adult education and family literacy programs to ensure a literate society.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the State Superintendent of Education and the State Board of Education for appropriate distribution throughout the state, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.