WHEREAS, all Alaskans deserve access to opportunities to gain the academic, technical, and employability skills necessary to lead prosperous and productive lives; and
WHEREAS, Alaska Adult Education and Literacy programs have been serving Alaskans since 1942 with General Education Development testing that result in a High School Equivalency Diploma, graduating approximately 700 students per year; and
WHEREAS, an excess of 42,000 working age adults, 18 years and older, in Alaska do not have a High School Equivalency Diploma and more than 7,000 Alaska residents require English language instruction; and
WHEREAS, education and literacy programs assist more than 2,500 Alaskans who receive services annually from 15 adult education programs throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, these programs provide services to communities throughout Alaska transforming lives through education and strengthening Alaska’s workforce and economy; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Adult Education and Literacy program educators positively change the lives of Alaskans by putting them on the path of furthering their education and employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Alaska Adult Education and Literacy programs provide countless benefits to citizens from all walks of life. These vital programs expand the opportunities Alaskans have and increase their likelihood to create more prosperous careers.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim September 19-27, 2021 as:
Alaska Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
in Alaska, urge all citizens to become familiar with the services and benefits offered by the Adult Education and Literacy programs in Alaska, and support and participate in these programs.
Dated: September 19, 2021
