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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-273
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 20, 2016
To declare the week of September 26 through October 1, 2016, as “Adult Education and Family Literacy Week” in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, literacy is integral to the quality of life and necessary to create productive workers, family members, and citizens of all ages;
WHEREAS, nearly a fifth of District of Columbia adult residents lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60,000 are without a high school credential;
WHEREAS, 18% of District of Columbia residents without a high school diploma are unemployed – nearly double that of residents with some college and over 6 times that of residents with a bachelor’s degree;
WHEREAS, the need for a highly literate community continues to grow rapidly as the District of Columbia’s economy grows increasingly knowledge-based and technology-driven;
WHEREAS, adults with at least some postsecondary education are more likely to find jobs that pay family-sustaining wages and are therefore better able to provide a stable home for themselves and their families;
WHEREAS, the most-effective way to improve the academic success of a child is to improve the educational level of their parents; and
WHEREAS, literacy skills impact every aspect of an adult’s life, including the ability to read to their child and be involved in their education, earn a family-supporting wage, make informed healthcare decisions, and understand voting issues and other civic engagements.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares September 26 through October 1, 2016, as “Adult Education and Family Literacy Week” in the District of Columbia and encourages District of Columbia residents to learn more about the importance of literacy at all ages and become involved with adult learners and literacy programs in our community.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
