[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 69 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 69

 Designating March 2009 as ``National Reading Month'' and authorizing 
the collection of nonmonetary book donations in Senate office buildings 
  during the period beginning March 9, 2009 and ending March 27, 2009 
   from Senators and officers and employees of the Senate to assist 
 elementary school students in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 9, 2009

 Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Levin, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
Reed, Mr. Cochran, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Johnson) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Designating March 2009 as ``National Reading Month'' and authorizing 
the collection of nonmonetary book donations in Senate office buildings 
  during the period beginning March 9, 2009 and ending March 27, 2009 
   from Senators and officers and employees of the Senate to assist 
 elementary school students in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Whereas literacy is a learned skill that is improved through practice and 
        regular reading;
Whereas public and school libraries play an important role in helping children 
        learn to read and gain critical information literacy skills by providing 
        easy and free access to books and other information on a wide range of 
        topics;
Whereas the reading of books with children improves children's language, 
        cognitive, and literacy skills;
Whereas research demonstrates that reading aloud with children is the single 
        most important activity for helping them become successful readers;
Whereas quality children's books and the continued efforts of educators, 
        parents, and volunteer reading partners can instill a love of reading 
        that will last a lifetime;
Whereas school reading programs provide students with a chance to improve their 
        reading skills and take pleasure in stories;
Whereas such programs have a profound and lasting positive impact on a child's 
        life through improved reading comprehension, motivation, and 
        achievement, as well as improved overall academic performance, classroom 
        behavior, self-confidence, and social skills; and
Whereas all people of the United States can help celebrate the importance of 
        reading by donating children's books, volunteering to read to and mentor 
        young students, and supporting public policies aimed at improving 
        literacy rates: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, Notwithstanding any other rules and regulations of the 
Senate--
            (1) the Senate designates March 2009 as ``National Reading 
        Month'';
            (2) a Senator or officer or employee of the Senate may 
        solicit another Senator or officer or employee of the Senate 
        within Senate buildings for nonmonetary book donations during 
        the period beginning March 9, 2009 and ending March 27, 2009 to 
        assist elementary school students in the Washington, D.C. 
        metropolitan area, if such solicitation does not otherwise 
        violate any rule or regulation of the Senate or any Federal 
        law; and
            (3) a Senator or officer or employee of the Senate may work 
        with a nonprofit organization with respect to the delivery of 
        donations described in paragraph (2).
                                 <all>