[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       THANKS, CELEBRITY READERS

                                 ______


                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 1994

  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating an important program in the 
10th Congressional District of New Jersey, the Celebrity Read Program. 
The program asks adults, both famous and not so famous, to come into 
the school system and read a passage to students about an important 
historical event involving people of color. The program then asks the 
participant to share a few of their life experiences with the class.
  The program this year had 320 adult readers participate and they read 
to 12,000 students in 36 elementary schools. There are readers involved 
in this program who are corporate executives from New Jersey based 
corporations such as, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Public 
Service Electric & Gas, Prudential, IBM, and many local politicians. 
Members of the Garden State Bar Association and judges from the 
superior courts were also readers. I believe the most important 
component of the celebrity read program is the fact that their 
definition of celebrity is local business people, entrepreneurs and 
everyday citizens from the community. They explain that ``people from 
all walks of life and at various levels of accomplishment can serve as 
a source of inspiration to our inner city youth.''
  Some of the celebrity readers are not satisfied with only reading one 
day to the classes, they have decided to have a Celebrity Read Day at 
their place of business to expose the students to the real life world 
of work. The organizations that are taking it to this next level are: 
IBM, Prudential, Deloitte & Touche, and the Superior Courts of Essex 
County.
  It warms my heart that in the 10th Congressional District of New 
Jersey there are organizations that are acting on the phrase ``I 
believe the children are our future'' and doing something to help them 
become prepared to take their rightful place. Thank you to the 
Celebrity Read Program and to the 200 Celebrity Readers for taking time 
to interact with the leaders of the next generation--our most valuable 
possession--our youth.
  Thank you Mr. Speaker for allowing me this opportunity to share with 
my colleagues some of the exciting things we are doing in New Jersey to 
ensure our future.

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