This document presents the transcript of Congressional hearings to gather information as to why children cannot read. Current federal programs were reviewed as well. After opening statements of the Hon. Bill Goodling and the Hon. Tim Roemer, the transcript for the hearing held on July 10, 1997 on why children cannot read includes the texts of oral statements and prepared statements by the following individuals or organizations: Richard Venezky, Reid Lyon, Robert E. Slavin, Catherine Snow, Vivian L. Gadsden, Janet Nicholas, Barbara Ruggles, Margaret Doughty, the Hon. Bill Clay, and Carolyn McCarthy. The transcript for the hearing held on July 31, 1997 on a review of current federal programs on literacy includes the texts of oral statements and prepared statements by the following individuals or organizations: the Hon. Bill Clay, the Hon. Lamar Smith, Maris A. Vinovskis, Herbert Walberg, Joseph Johnson, Jr., Cheryl Wilhoyte, and Andrew Hayes. After an opening statement of the Hon. Bill Goodling, the transcript for the hearing held on September 3, 1997 on teachers as the key to helping America learn to read includes the texts of oral statements and prepared statements by the following individuals or organizations: Ann W. Mintz, Debra Wakefield, Kimberly Wilson, Laura D. Fredrick, Beth S. Check, Louisa C. Moats, Nancy Thompson, and materials submitted by the Hon. Bobby Scott. (RS)