On the recordMarch 2, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1111, which recognizes March 2, 2010, as Read Across America Day and which encourages parents to read to their children in support of building a Nation of readers. Read Across America Day was initiated in May 1998 by the National Education Association as a way to celebrate reading. The NEA provides support to parents and teachers to keep their children reading all year long through activities such as the Cat-A-Van. The Cat-A-Van travels across the country bringing the gift of reading to schoolchildren. The Cat-A-Van donates 20,000 books to children in need. The NEA celebrates Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss' birthday each year in honor of a man who contributed tremendously to children's literacy. We know from research that children who are exposed to reading before kindergarten become more successful readers. We also know that a child who fails at reading is more likely to drop out of school. Today, nearly 6 million adolescents are struggling readers, and more than 7,000 students drop out of high school every day. This is unacceptable.
