Murray, Alexander Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Designating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) introduced a bipartisan Senate Resolution recognizing the week of September 22nd , 2014 as National Adult Education and Family Literacy week.

"I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan resolution that recognizes the importance of adult education and literacy programs," said Senator Patty Murray. "As we continue to look for ways to create jobs and grow the economy, adult education and literacy programs are critical tools to ensure our students and workers have the skills they need to succeed in school, in their careers, and in life."

"Nothing is so important to finding a job and achieving the American Dream as the ability to read, yet millions of Americans, including 1 in 8 adults in Tennessee, still lack this essential skill," said Senator Lamar Alexander. "Adult education and literacy programs do important work for our economy and our citizens by helping students and workers get the education they need to succeed in the competitive workplace."

Approximately 36 million adults in the U.S. lack the basic literacy and numeracy necessary to succeed at home, in the workplace, and in society. Adult education helps these individuals - many of whom lack a high school diploma or equivalent credential - gain the skills they need to become employed, keep and advance in their jobs, engage in postsecondary and training programs, participate in their children's education, and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Adult education programs were part of the recently reauthorized Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that was introduced by Murray and Alexander.

Co-Sponsors of the resolution include: Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Tim Johnson, (D-SD), Johnny Isakson (R-GA). Roy Blunt (R-MO), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD).

Source