[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H997-H999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1111) designating March 2, 2010, as ``Read
Across America Day''.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1111
Whereas reading is a basic requirement for quality
education and professional success, and is a 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 has placed great emphasis on reading
intervention that has been proven effective through
scientifically valid research and providing additional
resources for reading assistance; and
Whereas more than 50 national organizations concerned about
reading and education have joined with the National Education
Association to use March 2 to celebrate reading and the birth
of Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, for his
success in encouraging children to discover the joy of
reading;
(2) honors the 13th anniversary of Read Across America Day;
(3) encourages parents to read with their children for at
least 30 minutes on Read Across America Day in honor of the
commitment of the House of Representatives to building a
Nation of readers; and
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(4) encourages the people of the United States to observe
the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Thompson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut.
General Leave
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous
material on House Resolution 1111 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Connecticut?
There was no objection.
Mr. COURTNEY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1111, which
recognizes March 2, 2010, as Read Across America Day and which
encourages parents to read to their children in support of building a
Nation of readers.
Read Across America Day was initiated in May 1998 by the National
Education Association as a way to celebrate reading. The NEA provides
support to parents and teachers to keep their children reading all year
long through activities such as the Cat-A-Van. The Cat-A-Van travels
across the country bringing the gift of reading to schoolchildren. The
Cat-A-Van donates 20,000 books to children in need.
The NEA celebrates Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss' birthday
each year in honor of a man who contributed tremendously to children's
literacy. Theodor Geisel, better known as ``Dr. Seuss'' by millions of
children and parents around the world, began writing children's books
in 1936, and has since inspired millions of children to embrace the
joys of readings through such favorites as ``The Cat in the Hat,''
``Green Eggs and Ham,'' and ``Oh, the Places You'll Go.''
We know from research that children who are exposed to reading before
kindergarten become more successful readers. We also know that a child
who fails at reading is more likely to drop out of school. Today,
nearly 6 million adolescents are struggling readers, and more than
7,000 students drop out of high school every day. This is unacceptable.
Engaging children and reading to them when they are young will
encourage them to read and to achieve more as adolescents and as
adults.
This data demonstrates the importance of literacy and the value of
Read Across America. This critical literacy project is supported by a
range of partners, including the District of Columbia's the Afterschool
Alliance, ASPIRA Association, Incorporated, and First Book. The NEA,
along with the Pearson Foundation, has donated $100,000 in funds and
books to public school libraries across our country as 45 million
children and adults are expected to participate in this year's 2010
program.
I want to particularly thank Representatives Markey and Ehlers for
bringing this measure forward, and I encourage my colleagues to support
this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1111,
designating March 2, 2010, as ``Read Across America Day.''
Once upon a time, when there were no televisions or computers,
reading was a primary leisure activity. People would spend hours
reading books and using their imaginations to travel to lands far away.
Today, many people do not have the same passion to read. This is
unfortunate because reading offers a productive approach to improving
vocabulary and word power.
Indulging in reading on a daily basis helps keep adults and children
abreast of the various styles of writing and new vocabulary. Children
who start reading from an early age are observed to have good language
skills and to grasp the variances in phonics much better. Research has
shown that children and teenagers who love reading have comparatively
higher IQs and that they are more creative and excel in school and
college.
Reading is an activity that involves greater levels of concentration,
and it adds to the conversational skills of the reader. It is an
indulgence that enhances the knowledge acquired consistently. The habit
of reading also helps readers to decipher new words and phrases that
they come across in everyday conversations. It helps us to stay in
touch with contemporary writers as well as those from yesteryear.
Theodor Geisel, more famously known as ``Dr. Seuss,'' is the most
beloved children's book author of all time. His titles include ``Green
Eggs and Ham,'' ``Fox in Socks,'' and ``The Cat in the Hat.'' His use
of rhymes makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children
the basic tools they need to be successful and to develop a lifelong
love of reading. Celebrating both Dr. Seuss and reading sends a clear
message to our children that reading is both fun and important.
I thank my colleague from Colorado (Ms. Markey) and my colleague from
Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for sponsoring this resolution, and I ask that
all of my colleagues support its passage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the sponsor of this legislation, the gentlewoman from Colorado,
Congresswoman Betsy Markey.
Ms. MARKEY of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a cat
who is known worldwide for his red and white hat; in support of a fox
who liked to wear socks, and his game-playing friend called Mr. Knox;
in support of an elephant, Horton, who hears a Who, and a human, Mr.
Brown, who proves he can moo; in support of those who hopped on pop,
and the dad who yelled at them to stop; in support of those amusing
sidekicks Thing One and Thing Two, and all of those folks with the last
name of Who; in support of Marvin K. Mooney, who just wouldn't go, and
those multiple colored fish we all know; in support of Cindy Lou Who
and that mean, old Grinch, and the Lorax who speaks for the trees in a
pinch.
These characters taught our children to read. In the field of
children's literacy, Dr. Seuss took the lead.
Through the power of green eggs and ham, our children exclaim, ``I
can read, Sam I am.''
Mr. Speaker, I come before the House today not to emulate Dr. Seuss
but to honor his legacy with Read Across America Day. Today, March 2,
would be Theodor Seuss Geisel's 106th birthday. This resolution honors
his birth, and it promotes children's literacy by designating today as
Read Across America Day.
I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Ehlers, for his work
with me on this resolution.
In schools across America today, millions of children will
participate in Seussational reading events.
{time} 1615
Reading skills are the keystone for future educational success, and
it is critical that our children begin reading at a young age. I
remember how my own children's eyes would light up with each book we
read. My resolution encourages parents to read to their children for at
least 30 minutes a day because, as Dr. Seuss himself said, ``The more
that you read, the more things you will know; the more that you learn,
the more places you will go.''
I have high hopes for this Nation's children and all the places that
they will go. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on House
Resolution 1111 and to celebrate Read Across America Day.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, having no further requests
for time, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1111.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
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Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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