WHEREAS, National Reading Month is observed annually each March across the United States to promote literacy, encourage lifelong learning, and foster a love of reading among children, youth, and adults, recognizing reading as a foundational skill essential to academic achievement, workforce readiness, civic participation, and personal empowerment; and
WHEREAS, March 2nd is nationally recognized as Read Across America Day, a celebration that mobilizes schools, libraries, educators, families, and community leaders to promote reading engagement and equitable access to books and literacy resources for learners of all ages; and
WHEREAS, Literacy remains one of the strongest predictors of long-term educational success, economic mobility, and public health outcomes, and improving reading proficiency among young people directly contributes to higher graduation rates, expanded career opportunities, and stronger, safer communities throughout Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Many neighborhoods across Philadelphia continue to face persistent literacy challenges driven by inequitable access to educational resources, book availability, afterschool enrichment opportunities, and early childhood learning supports, making community-based literacy initiatives vital to closing opportunity gaps and advancing educational equity; and
WHEREAS, Community organizations, educators, libraries, faith institutions, literacy advocates, and volunteer mentors throughout Philadelphia work tirelessly to expand reading access through tutoring programs, book drives, family literacy initiatives, adult education services, and culturally responsive learning opportunities that empower residents and strengthen neighborhoods across the City; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes the month of March as National Reading Month and March 2nd as Read Across America Day in the City of Philadelphia; and honors the critical work of community organizations working to expand literacy skills of youth and adults across the City of Philadelphia.
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