Today, U.S Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Jim Webb (D-VA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mike Enzi (R-WY), introduced a bipartisan Senate Resolution recognizing the week of September 10, 2012 as National Adult Education and Family Literacy week.
"I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation that recognizes the importance of adult education and literacy programs," said Senator Murray. "As we continue working to create jobs and get our economy back on track, we need to make sure that our students and workers have the education and literacy skills they need to succeed in school, in their careers, and in life--and adult education and family literacy programs are an important part of helping us achieve this goal."
It is estimated that 90 million adults in America lack the literacy, numeracy, or English language skills to succeed at home and in the workplace. The lack of these skills in the increasingly competitive 21st century economy is a tremendous disadvantage to individuals. The role of adult education and family literacy is also critical to children whose lives become more stable and successful as the level of their parent's education increases. The nation's unemployment rate is highest among individuals without a high school diploma or an equivalent credential, indicating that education is key to economic recovery.
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Source: http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ID=aee8bbe7-5bab-413e-ac63-9d3af78cc861
