[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8480--MAR. 1, 2010

Proclamation 8480 of March 1, 2010
Read Across America Day, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

As the foundation that makes all other learning possible, literacy is
the key to unlocking every child's full potential. From riding a bus to
opening a bank account, our everyday tasks and decisions require
comprehension of the written word. On Read Across America Day, we
reaffirm our commitment to investing in our children and giving them an
essential tool for success in school and in life: the ability to read.
Today marks the birthday of the late Theodor Seuss Geisel, known to
millions as Dr. Seuss. His imaginative tales have helped generations of
children learn to read, and they hold a cherished place on bookshelves
in homes across America. Authors like Dr. Seuss, whose stories introduce
fantastical worlds and characters, fold joy into reading and help spark
the curiosity that is central to learning.

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While government must ensure that all our children receive a world-class
education, parents and caregivers play a crucial role in preparing
them--especially during early childhood. We can promote a positive
relationship with books and language through everyday activities to make
reading fun and interactive. When reading to young children, I urge all
parents and caregivers to talk about what is happening in a story, point
out details that relate to real life, and encourage them to ask about
words they do not understand. Making regular trips to the library,
playing word games, and simply keeping books around the home can foster
a love of reading that will last a lifetime. We can also set a good
example by turning off the television and picking up a book to read with
or alongside our children.
On Read Across America Day, my Administration is partnering with the
National Education Association to encourage families across our Nation
to make reading a priority. Together, we can give our sons and daughters
the knowledge and skills they need to compete in the global economy, and
in doing so, secure a brighter future for America.
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, 2010, 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of March,
in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA