[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 89 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       THANKS, CELEBRITY READERS

                                 ______


                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 1995
  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 
participants to share a few of their life experiences with the class.
  The program this year had 400 adult participants read to over 10,000 
youth. In the past, readers have ranged from former New York Giant 
football players Harry Carson, Joe Morris, and George Martin to 
Superior Court judges to jazz singer and Broadway star, Carrie Smith. 
However, one of the most important components of this program is that 
the definition of celebrity is not limited to the narrow, superficial 
denotation that most might think; on the contrary, in this program, 
local business people, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens are 
considered celebrities. In fact, one of the program's credos is 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.''
  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'' by doing something to help them 
become prepared for that future. Thank you to the Celebrity Read 
Program and to the 400 celebrity readers for taking the time to nurture 
and cultivate our leaders of tomorrow.
  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 solidify our Nation's future.


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