[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2156-S2157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 56 
introduced earlier today by Senators Coverdell and Torricelli.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 56) recognizing March 2nd, 1999, as 
     the ``National Read Across America Day,'' and encouraging 
     every child, parent and teacher to read throughout the year.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. ALLARD. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at 
this point in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 56) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 56), with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 56

       Whereas reading is a fundamental part of life and every 
     American should be given the chance to experience the many 
     joys it can bring;
       Whereas National Read Across America Day calls for every 
     child in every American community to celebrate and extoll the 
     virtue of reading on the birthday of America's favorite 
     Doctor--Dr. Seuss;
       Whereas National Read Across America Day is designed to 
     show every American child that reading can be fun, and 
     encourages parents, relatives and entire communities to read 
     to our nation's children;
       Whereas National Read Across America Day calls on every 
     American to take time

[[Page S2157]]

     out of their busy day to pick-up a favorite book and read to 
     a young boy or girl, a class or a group of students;
       Whereas reading is a catalyst for our children's future 
     academic success, their preparation for America's jobs of the 
     future, and our nation's ability to compete in the global 
     economy;
       Whereas the distinguished Chairman Jim Jeffords and Ranking 
     Member Ted Kennedy of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and 
     Pensions Committee have provided significant leadership in 
     the area of community involvement in reading through their 
     participation in the Everybody Wins! program;
       Whereas Chairman Jim Jeffords has been recognized for his 
     leadership in reading by Parenting Magazine;
       Whereas prominent sports figures such as National Read 
     Across America Day Honorary Chairman Cal Ripken of the 
     Baltimore Orioles baseball team, Sandy Alomar of the 
     Cleveland Indians, and members of the Atlanta Falcons 
     football team have dedicated substantial time, energy and 
     resources to encourage young people to experience the joy and 
     fun of reading;
       Whereas the 105th Congress made an historic commitment to 
     reading through the passage of the Reading Excellence Act 
     which focused on traditionally successful phonics 
     instruction, tutorial assistance grants for at-risk kids, and 
     literacy assistance for parents: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes March 2, 1999 as National Read Across 
     America Day; and
       (2) expresses its wishes that very child in every American 
     city and town has the ability and desire to read throughout 
     the year, and receives the parental and adult encouragement 
     to succeed and achieve academic excellence.

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