[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 41 (Monday, March 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL READING MONTH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 69.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the 
resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 69) designating March 2009 as 
     ``National Reading Month'' and authorizing the collection of 
     nonmonetary book donations in Senate office buildings during 
     the period beginning March 9, 2009 and ending March 27, 2009 
     from Senators and officers and employees of the Senate to 
     assist elementary school students in the Washington, DC 
     metropolitan area.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid on the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and that 
any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 69) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 69

       Whereas literacy is a learned skill that is improved 
     through practice and regular reading;
       Whereas public and school libraries play an important role 
     in helping children learn to read and gain critical 
     information literacy skills by providing easy and free access 
     to books and other information on a wide range of topics;
       Whereas the reading of books with children improves 
     children's language, cognitive, and literacy skills;
       Whereas research demonstrates that reading aloud with 
     children is the single most important activity for helping 
     them become successful readers;
       Whereas quality children's books and the continued efforts 
     of educators, parents, and volunteer reading partners can 
     instill a love of reading that will last a lifetime;
       Whereas school reading programs provide students with a 
     chance to improve their reading skills and take pleasure in 
     stories;
       Whereas such programs have a profound and lasting positive 
     impact on a child's life through improved reading 
     comprehension, motivation, and achievement, as well as 
     improved overall academic performance, classroom behavior, 
     self-confidence, and social skills; and
       Whereas all people of the United States can help celebrate 
     the importance of reading by donating children's books, 
     volunteering to read to and mentor young students, and 
     supporting public policies aimed at improving literacy rates: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, Notwithstanding any other rules and regulations 
     of the Senate--
       (1) the Senate designates March 2009 as ``National Reading 
     Month'';
       (2) a Senator or officer or employee of the Senate may 
     solicit another Senator or officer or employee of the Senate 
     within Senate buildings for nonmonetary book donations during 
     the period beginning March 9, 2009 and ending March 27, 2009 
     to assist elementary school students in the Washington, D.C. 
     metropolitan area, if such solicitation does not otherwise 
     violate any rule or regulation of the Senate or any Federal 
     law; and
       (3) a Senator or officer or employee of the Senate may work 
     with a nonprofit organization with respect to the delivery of 
     donations described in paragraph (2).

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