[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1333) expressing support for the goals and 
ideals of Children's Book Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1333

       Whereas research has indicated that children who are read 
     to three or four times a week are more likely to recognize 
     the letters of the alphabet, be able to count to 20, and 
     write their own names;
       Whereas children's books are instrumental in teaching 
     children to read by providing simple phrases that promote 
     reading techniques, including phonics, and retaining 
     children's interest;
       Whereas many teachers use children's books in the classroom 
     as a tool to promote and teach literacy to their students;
       Whereas Children's Book Week has been celebrated nationally 
     since 1919 and is founded on the declaration that a ``great 
     nation is a reading nation'';
       Whereas Children's Book Week highlights the importance of 
     parents and guardians taking the time to read with their 
     children and encourages libraries, schools, and community 
     organizations to hold events to promote reading; and
       Whereas Children's Book Week is recognized May 10 to May 
     16, 2010: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Children's Book Week; 
     and
       (2) encourages parents to read with their children and 
     schools, libraries, and community organizations to hold 
     events to encourage children and students of all ages to 
     read.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Woolsey) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
1333 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1333, a 
resolution in support of the goals and ideals of Children's Book Week, 
to be held from May 10 through May 16, 2010.
  Children's Book Week is a great time to highlight the importance of 
reading to our children and our students. Educators, librarians, 
booksellers, and families have long celebrated children's books and the 
love of reading.
  Since 1919 children's books and Children's Book Week have put an 
annual spotlight on this vitally important activity for a child's 
education and cognitive development. Through storytelling, parties, and 
author and illustrator appearances, this week helps to encourage a love 
of reading in our children.
  Today, even the very youngest child in America is growing up immersed 
in media, spending hours a day watching TV and playing video games. 
Parents and teachers promote better learning for these children when 
they turn off the TV and pull out a book and either sit with the child 
and read it or have the child read it on his or her own.
  This year, official Children's Book Week events will be hosted in 10 
cities and in classrooms, libraries, bookstores, and homes all across 
this country.

                              {time}  1245

  In addition, the Children's Choice Book Awards will honor important 
authors who bring their gifts of writing and imagination to our kids.
  Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for Children's Book 
Week and celebrate reading for students of all ages. I thank 
Representative Roe for introducing this resolution, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1333. This 
resolution supports and honors Children's Book Week, which is in itself 
a celebration of the written word. And as my colleague so aptly said, 
today our children are immersed in a multimedia world. I know my 
grandchildren are unbelievably expert at video games. And I can't tell 
you how happy I am, how thrilled I am, when I see them sitting with a 
book.
  I was so pleased to see that my oldest grandson followed in the line 
of his father and grandfather and great grandfather of seeking every 
available minute to get into the world of literature, to get into the 
written word, to read these books, going to the point of getting under 
the covers with a flashlight way after lights out time for bed. I think 
that's an important part of our children growing up.
  I am concerned that many of our children are losing this touch with 
the written word. So I believe that the Congress expressing our support 
for the goals and ideals of Children's Book Week, the written word, is 
an important statement.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for 
working with us on these last three resolutions.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1333, a resolution in support 
of the goals and ideals of Children's Book Week.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1333.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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