[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 24 (Monday, March 1, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S1936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 
306 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 306) designating March 2, 2004, as 
     ``Read Across America Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to; that the preamble be agreed to; that the 
motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc; and that any 
statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 306) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads, as follows:

                              S. Res. 306

       Whereas reading is a basic requirement for quality 
     education and professional success, and source of pleasure 
     throughout life;
       Whereas the people of the United States must be able to 
     read if the United States is to remain competitive in the 
     global economy;
       Whereas Congress, through the No Child Left Behind Act of 
     2001 (Public Law 107-110) and the new Reading First, Early 
     Reading First, and Improving Literacy Through School 
     Libraries programs, has placed great emphasis on reading 
     intervention and additional resources for reading assistance; 
     and
       Whereas more than 40 national associations concerned about 
     reading and education have joined with the National Education 
     Association to use March 2, the anniversary of the birth of 
     Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, to celebrate 
     reading: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 2, 2004, as ``Read Across America 
     Day'';
       (2) honors Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, for his 
     success in encouraging children to discover the joy of 
     reading;
       (3) encourages parents to read with their children for at 
     least 30 minutes on Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. 
     Seuss and in celebration of reading; and
       (4) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe the day 
     with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair, on behalf of the Vice President, 
pursuant to Public Law 93-642, appoints the Senator from Montana, Mr. 
Baucus, to be a member of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation 
Board of Trustees, vice the Senator from Washington, Mrs. Murray.

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