Recognizing the Oakland Literacy Council

RECOGNIZING THE OAKLAND LITERACY COUNCIL -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 08, 2004)

SPEECH OF HON. MIKE ROGERS
OF MICHIGAN
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2004

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today in America, nearly 1 in 5 adult Americans functions at the lowest literacy level. I rise today to recognize an outstanding organization in Southeast Michigan that is making tremendous strides in the fight against adult illiteracy. The Oakland Literacy Council delivers quality individualized basic reading and English language instruction to Oakland County, Michigan adults, many of whom are English as a second language students.

Since its inception in 1984, the Oakland Literacy Council has contributed more than 527,000 hours of instruction to 7,000 adults. The Literacy Councils' free service has been valued at over $13.2 million. In 2003 alone, 400 volunteers donated 43,920 hours of their time to give 450 Oakland County residents the literacy skills necessary for a new job, a high school diploma, or just to read a bedtime story to their children.

Mr. Speaker, the Oakland Literacy Council showcases the very best of America's generosity. Besides the thousands of hours of donated time, the Literacy Council is entirely supported by public and private donations to offer free tutoring to all of its students. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding service the Oakland Literacy Council, and its gracious donors and volunteers, have provided to Southeastern Michigan.

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