On the recordApril 29, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work being done in my home State of Arkansas by AR Kids Read. When I was the chamber of commerce chair in Little Rock, I was proud to help AR Kids Read expand 3\1/2\ years ago with the goal of improving literacy rates among our children in Arkansas. In the 2014-2015 school year alone, AR Kids Read was able to provide over 400 trained tutors to serve 1 hour a week in 47 different schools in central Arkansas. This inspirational program helps nearly 1,000 students each year struggling to learn to master reading in the first through third grades. AR Kids Read has been recognized by one of the five model programs at the Reading is Fundamental--RIF--50th Anniversary Gala here in Washington, D.C. I extend my congratulations and best wishes for much continued success to AR Kids Read and thank all of my fellow citizens who volunteer as tutors. ____________________
