III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 69 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

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).