[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 18 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, today marks what would have been the 94th 
birthday of the late Dr. Ted Geisel, better known to most of us as Dr. 
Seuss. Dr. Seuss has touched and continues to touch the lives of 
millions of people with books like ``Horton Hears a Who,'' ``One Fish, 
Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,'' ``The Cat in the Hat,'' ``Green Eggs 
and Ham.'' Dr. Seuss' work continues to make reading fun for children 
and their parents.
  While the good doctor is no longer with us, he left an invaluable 
gift: works which foster in our children a joy and appreciation for 
books and the wonderful treasures contained in them.
  To honor Dr. Seuss and his legacy, today has been declared ``Read 
Across America Day,'' a day when millions of students and parents, 
educators, many of our colleagues and others across the country have 
been engaged in hundreds of events to renew our Nation's commitment to 
literacy and to teach every child the importance and joy of reading.
  Today, every child should be in the company of an adult who will read 
to him or her.
  Last week, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution I submitted, 
along with Senator Jeffords, in recognition of this very special day, 
and I thank the Senator from Vermont for his comments this morning 
about this particular event, and several of our colleagues who 
participated actively in it.
  In addition to my 92 colleagues on both sides of the aisle who 
cosponsored this resolution, I commend the efforts of groups like the 
American Library Association, the National Family Literacy Council, the 
National Association of Elementary School Principals, Reading is 
Fundamental, the International Reading Association, the Boys and Girls 
Clubs of America, the I Have a Dream Foundation and the National 
Education Association that have organized events across the country in 
support of this very special day.
  In communities and schools in my home State of Virginia, there are at 
least 40 events that I know of to promote literacy and reading. Tonight 
in Culpeper County, dozens of families will attend an event called 
``Culpeper Reads,'' where parents and children will attend a community 
dinner dressed as their favorite storybook characters.
  Parents will have the chance to sign their children up for library 
cards, and community members will read with families and explain how 
reading is used in their occupations.
  In Hampton, VA, Cooper Elementary has planned an all-day event where 
individuals will read Dr. Seuss' books to children. And just across the 
river in Alexandria, Mt. Vernon Elementary School hosted hundreds of 
high school students and community volunteers as they read with 
elementary students there.
  This morning, I visited Mt. Vernon Elementary School, where I read 
some of my daughters' favorite books to a class of first graders and to 
a class of fourth graders.
  After that, I also had the pleasure of reading to about 50 third 
graders at Patrick Henry Elementary School in Arlington.
  This morning, Mr. President, I was reminded of how much fun it is to 
see children's faces light up when you read to them. I was delighted to 
see so many individuals at each school committed to promoting literacy 
among our children.
  It is my hope that today's activities will motivate individuals to 
read across America, not just today but every day.
  Mr. President, the best way we can help a child learn to read and 
want to read is by reading to them and with them as often as possible. 
Time and again, research has shown that children who read aloud in the 
early years with their parents perform better in school.
  Experts say that the single most important activity for building the 
knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to 
children. Likewise, the effects of illiteracy can be devastating. We 
know now that 85 percent of high school dropouts and 85 percent of 
those in juvenile courts are functionally illiterate. Just as alarming 
is the fact that 51 percent of American high school graduates are 
functionally illiterate as well.
  In a country with resources as plentiful as ours, the fact that our 
literacy rates are so low is not only shocking; it is shameful.
  Mr. President, the earlier in life we can interest children in books, 
the sooner we can get children into the habit of reading. When children 
have access to books, when their parents are involved, and when their 
communities are invested in education, children turn to books for 
information and enjoyment.
  Reading means empowerment. Helping our children understand the value 
and the pleasure of reading is one of the greatest gifts we can ever 
give them. Whether it is to obtain knowledge or to understand history, 
to experience adventure or gather inspiration, we need our children to 
love reading. But eager and competent readers are made, not born. By 
taking just a half hour every day to read with our children, we can 
foster a genuine interest in reading that will stay with our children 
throughout their lives.
  In celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday today, Read Across America Day 
will generate new enthusiasm for reading nationwide. I urge every 
American today to spark and rekindle our children's and our 
communities' and our own interest in reading.
  With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor and ask the Senate to 
proceed under the order already agreed to.

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