WHEREAS, Education is the cornerstone of our society and one of our greatest responsibilities to our children; and
     WHEREAS, The literacy demands of the 21st century are significantly different from earlier times; and
     WHEREAS, Literacy in Washington today means having a broad range of skills that include reading, writing, math, critical thinking, and cogent speaking; and
     WHEREAS, For businesses, literacy also includes such workplace basics as using computers and other technologies, processing and evaluating diverse information, working on teams, and making decisions; and
     WHEREAS, In our knowledge-based society, the success of our markets, the prosperity of our businesses, and the effectiveness of our health care system require that our citizens have sophisticated literacy skills; and
     WHEREAS, Literacy empowers Washington citizens by allowing them to excel in modern workplaces, participate actively in civic life, and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; and
     WHEREAS, It is essential that our communities ensure that their citizens have the foundation they need to comprehend, synthesize, and evaluate the many kinds of information surrounding them; and
     WHEREAS, Learning does not end with formal education but continues throughout life as individuals acquire new knowledge and skills; and
     WHEREAS, In creating the foundation for lifelong learning, parents are their children's earliest and most important teachers and are full partners with school teachers, principals, and administrators in their children's education; and
     WHEREAS, All families benefit from learning together and being involved in literacy and education activities, especially when active in our communities, libraries, and schools;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate encourage and celebrate local efforts to provide high quality family literacy programs which help children develop strong literacy skills that ensure their success in school and in the work force; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation.