[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 11653-11654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05068]



[[Page 11651]]

Vol. 81

Friday,

No. 43

March 4, 2016

Part II





The President





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Proclamation 9403--Read Across America Day, 2016



Notice of March 2, 2016--Continuation of the National Emergency With 
Respect to Ukraine



Notice of March 2, 2016--Continuation of the National Emergency With 
Respect to Zimbabwe
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 11653]]

                Proclamation 9403 of March 1, 2016

                
Read Across America Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                From a child's first foray into the depths of a story 
                to an adult's escape into a world of words, reading 
                plays an integral role in our lives. Works of fiction 
                and non-fiction alike pique interest and inspiration 
                and shape our understanding of each other and 
                ourselves, teaching us lessons in kindness and 
                humility, responsibility and respect. The moment we 
                persuade a child to pick up a book for the first time 
                we change their lives forever for the better, and on 
                Read Across America Day, we recommit to getting 
                literary works into our young peoples' hands early and 
                often.

                March 2 is also the birthday of one of America's 
                revered wordsmiths. Theodor Seuss Geisel--or Dr. 
                Seuss--used his incredible talent to instill in his 
                most impressionable readers universal values we all 
                hold dear. Through a prolific collection of stories, he 
                made children see that reading is fun, and in the 
                process, he emphasized respect for all; pushed us to 
                accept ourselves for who we are; challenged 
                preconceived notions and encouraged trying new things; 
                and by example, taught us that we are limited by 
                nothing but the range of our aspirations and the 
                vibrancy of our imaginations. And for older lovers of 
                literature, he reminded us not to take ourselves too 
                seriously, creating wacky and wild characters and 
                envisioning creative and colorful places.

                Books reveal unexplored universes and stimulate 
                curiosity, and in underserved communities, they play a 
                particularly important role in prompting inquisition 
                and encouraging ambition. Last month, the First Lady 
                announced the launch of Open eBooks, a new project that 
                will unlock a world of learning and possibility for 
                millions of American children and provide over $250 
                million worth of reading material to students who need 
                it most. As we work to get every child engrossed in 
                literature, we honor the many people who devote their 
                lives and careers to carrying forward this important 
                cause--including our librarians, educators, and 
                parents. We can all get lost in a good read, and we owe 
                it to rising learners to give them the chance to 
                experience that same enjoyment and fulfillment.

                Today, and every day, let us celebrate the power of 
                reading by promoting literacy and supporting new 
                opportunities for students to plunge into the pages of 
                a book. As Dr. Seuss noted, ``The more that you read, 
                the more things you will know. The more that you learn, 
                the more places you'll go.'' Together, we can help all 
                children go plenty of places along their unending 
                journey for knowledge and ensure everyone can find joy 
                and satisfaction in the wonders of the written word.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim March 2, 2016, as 
                Read Across America Day. I call upon children, 
                families, educators, librarians, public officials, and 
                all the people of the United States to observe this day 
                with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

[[Page 11654]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-05068
Filed 3-3-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P