Joining the nation in recognition of Read Across America Week and in celebration of the 100th Birthday of Dr. Seuss.

WHEREAS, The Read Across America Program was founded by the National Education Association (NEA) and focuses the country's attention on how important it is to motivate children to read in addition to helping children master basic skills; and

WHEREAS, The National Education Association launched the Read Across America program in 1998 and the program is now in its seventh year; and

WHEREAS, The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or around March 2nd, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, who epitomizes a love of learning; and

WHEREAS, Read Across America Week will be celebrated March 1st through March 5th 2004 and is an annual motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading; and

WHEREAS, Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers as evidenced by research that has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school; and

WHEREAS, In cities and towns across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, politicians and others will participate in activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Read Across America Program and the 100th Birthday of Dr. Suess are recognized and honored during the first week of March 2004.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That members of this legislative body help make a difference in the lives of children of the city of Philadelphia by volunteering time to read a story to students or participate in various events that promote reading by the young citizens of the city.

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