Resolution 050483

..Title Urging the Pennsylvania U.S. Senators and Congressional Delegation to Oppose the Proposed Cut in Federal Funding for Adult Basic and Literacy Education and the Even Start Program. ..Body WHEREAS, Low literacy skills contribute to chronic unemployment, low productivity, low self-esteem, and impact on a parent's ability to teach their own children reading and writing skills; and WHEREAS, Jobs are becoming increasingly information sensitive with more than 50% of all new jobs requiring some post-secondary education; and WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education, nearly 50% of adults in Pennsylvania need literacy skills to be effective workers, parents and citizens; and WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, one of every three citizens reads at or below the 8th grade level; and WHEREAS, The President's proposed budget calls for a drastic reduction in Adult Basic and Literacy Education from $501 million in Fiscal Year 2005 to a recommended $131 million for Fiscal Year 2006; and WHEREAS, For Pennsylvania, this would result in a 75% cut from $19.2 million to $4.785 million; and WHEREAS, The President's proposal calls for the complete elimination of the Even Start Program which is a cornerstone of family literacy providing children under the age of 8 with basic skills needed to achieve academic success and parents with the skills needed to be competent and effective teachers of their children; and WHEREAS, These federal funding cuts to adult and family literacy programs will insure that the economic barriers and impediments to self-sufficiency resulting from low literacy skills remain in place for thousands of Americans and their children; and WHEREAS, The economic and social costs of unemployment and dependency are far greater than the investment made in promoting adult and family literacy and life-long learning; now therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby urge the Pennsylvania U.S. Senators and Congressional Delegation to oppose the proposed cut and work to maintain federal funding levels for Adult Basic and Literacy Education and the Even Start Program. ..End