H.Res. 654 (115^th): Expressing support for the designation of January 23, 2018, as “National Handwriting Day” and recognizing the importance of handwriting for cognitive, artistic, and educational benefit.

Whereas John Hancock was a great patriot from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having served as President of the Continental Congress (1775–1777) and Governor of Massachusetts (1780–1785);

Whereas John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776, in a large, prominent signature;

Whereas the term John Hancock is now synonymous with a handwritten signature;

Whereas the date of Hancock’s birth, January 23, 1737, has been known as National Handwriting Day since 1977, when first promulgated by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association;

Whereas handwriting is recognized by educators throughout the world as an important component of a child’s education;

Whereas research has shown that improved handwriting skills have benefits for cognitive development and motor skills and can lead to improved writing skills and comprehension;

Whereas handwriting has been shown to increase neural development and engage areas of the brain associated with language, memory, word recognition, and emotion;

Whereas handwriting engages 14 different abilities, including visual focusing, mental attention, organized physical movements, receptive language, inner expressive language, memory recall, concentration with awareness, spatial perception, organization, integration, eye-hand coordination, motor planning, tactile input, and crossing midline; and

Whereas handwriting is an important form of individual artistic expression: Now, therefore, be it