[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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