[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BALTIMORE READS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2009

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Baltimore 
Reads--an organization that has worked tirelessly for the past 20 years 
to combat illiteracy. Their goal is to help participants gain the 
necessary skills for self-sufficiency, employment, and life-long 
learning in order to achieve economic and social empowerment. For 20 
years, Baltimore Reads has been striving to meet these goals and, for 
many participants, has been a means to achieve them.
  Since 1992, Baltimore Reads has distributed more than one million 
books to schools and disadvantaged families. At the Ripken Adult 
Learning Center, their educational facility in downtown Baltimore, more 
than 325 students attend classes at proficiency levels ranging from 
non-readers to GED candidates. With their programs in high demand, they 
have plans to expand to more locations and add Internet classes. Today, 
thousands of Baltimoreans have the basic skills necessary to succeed in 
life because of Baltimore Reads' efforts.
  I strongly support Baltimore Reads' vision of a 100 percent literacy 
rate in Baltimore. I would like to take this opportunity to commend 
them on their work and wish them another 20 years of success.

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