[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              APPLAUDING THE ANAHEIM CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2003

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
praise the Anaheim City School District for emphasizing the importance 
of literacy in their curriculum.
  With a few thousand dollars left in its Proposition 10 budget, the 
early childhood education office put together ``literacy baskets'' that 
included crayons, alphabet books, puzzles, and other educational 
materials.
  These baskets will be given to adults to take home and throw 
``literacy parties'' where they can invite neighbors, friends and 
relatives over and discuss practical tips on teaching toddlers how to 
read. The program has been so successful, that it is quickly running 
out of baskets.
  A survey by UCLA and the Field Institute shows that nearly half of 
all adults do not read to their children. Educators believe that rate 
is worse for low-income families.
  I want to applaud the Anaheim City School District for working hard 
to promote literacy to young children. The ``literacy baskets'' will 
help to improve early literacy and make a difference for thousands of 
kids.

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