[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 153 (Thursday, November 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2387-E2388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNITION OF THE TIME TO READ LITERACY PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important work 
and mission of the Time to Read literacy program.
  Since 1985, Time Warner, Inc.'s Time to Read program has worked to 
address the crisis of illiteracy among American children and adults.
  Today, Time to Read is the nation's largest corporate-sponsored 
volunteer literacy program. I am particularly proud that the Mid-South 
chapter, which includes Memphis, Tennessee, is the largest Time to Read 
program in the nation, helping more than 6,000 children and adults 
every year.
  Each week, Time to Read's 33,000 participants meet at more than 550 
schools, adult-education centers, prisons, libraries, churches, 
community centers, clinics and homeless shelters across the nation to 
learn together how to read.
  Time to Read students are matched with reading mentors who use real-
life learning materials, magazines and other publications as teaching 
tools to help inform new readers about everyday culture, life and 
current events. These reading mentors serve as tutors and role models, 
giving children the confidence to succeed in school and adults the 
tools necessary to compete in the workplace.
  However, these tireless mentors do much more than help kids and 
adults learn to read.

[[Page E2388]]

Together, they give Time to Read participants hope and an opportunity 
for a better future.
  Time and again, this program has demonstrated its ability to take on 
this important challenge of raising America's literacy rates. With 
quiet determination and steadfast commitment, Time to Read volunteers 
make a difference in the lives of thousands of kids and adults each 
year.
  For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in 
honoring the purpose and spirit of the Time to Read Literacy Program, 
its volunteers and participants.

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