Brazil's clown congressman tables literacy bill

[Judi Lynn]

Brazil's clown congressman tables literacy bill
Francisco Silva wants cash rewards for adults who learn to read and write
Associated Press
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 June 2011 20.41 BST

The clown elected to congress in Brazil has presented his first bill, which encourages illiterate adults to learn how to read and write.

Francisco Silva, who had to prove to a judge he met literacy requirements for congress members before taking his seat, called for a one off payment of 345 Brazilian real (£211) to be made to any illiterate adult who learns how to read and write.

Silva's spokeswoman Edit Silva said payment would be made at the end of a six-month literacy course.

Silva is known as Tiririca, which means "grumpy" in Portuguese. He won more votes than any other candidate in Brazil's elections last October.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/14/brazil-clown-congressman-literacy-bill