Dear Colleagues, These December days are short and dark, but here at the NCL there are multiple bright spots in our ongoing advocacy for adult literacy and adult education. Here is an update on some recent activities: - As previously announced, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has recently joined the House Adult Literacy Caucus. In addition, the caucus' sponsor and Republican co-chair, Congressman Phil Roe (TN), and his staff have been actively considering ways to further increase caucus participation. As you know, increasing the number of Representatives in the caucus increases the likelihood that adult education needs and outcomes will be given serious consideration in the policy development and lawmaking processes. I visited with Congressman Roe's staff earlier this week to begin developing strategies for a caucus membership drive in early 2018. As that drive gets underway, I'll be inviting you to contact your Representatives to encourage them to join. In the meantime, you can check the list at national-coalition-literacy.org/house-adult-literacy-caucus/ to see whether your Representative is already a part of the caucus. - In November the NCL submitted a comment in response to the Education Department's request for comments on the Secretary's proposed priorities (published in the Federal Register at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/10/12/2017-22127/secretarys-proposed-supplemental-priorities-and-definitions-for-discretionary-grant-programs). I am attaching the text of the NCL comment for your information. Feel free to share it with colleagues and others if you like. - The NCL Board is currently developing the organization's calendar of activities for 2018. I'll be in touch again soon with information about the dates for the Members' Meeting in May and AEFL Week in September. It is an honor and a pleasure for me to work with all of you to promote adult education and engender support for adult literacy through the NCL. Your collaboration and encouragement are vital to the Coalition's success in these endeavors, and I thank you for them. I also invite you to support the NCL's work by making a year-end financial contribution. You can do so online by visiting national-coalition-literacy.org/donate/, or by mail by sending a check to P.O. Box 2932, Washington, DC 20013. Thank you in advance for your generosity! With appreciation for all that you do and a wish for the happiest of holidays, Deborah Deborah Kennedy Senior Consultant / Owner, Key Words President, National Coalition for Literacy office: 202-364-1964 (September-May) office: 603-293-2402 (June-August) www.key-words.us www.national-coalition-literacy.org