Read Across America Day, 2011

Vol. 76

Friday,

No. 43

March 4, 2011

Part III

The President

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Proclamation 8633--Read Across America Day, 2011

Notice of March 2, 2011--Continuation of the National Emergency With
Respect to Zimbabwe

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8633 of March 1, 2011

Read Across America Day, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Hidden in the pages of books are extraordinary worlds
and characters that can spark creativity and
imagination, and unlock the potential that lies within
each of our children. Reading is the foundation upon
which all other learning is built, and on Read Across
America Day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting
America's next generation of great readers.

Cultivation of basic literacy skills can begin early
and in the home. It is family who first instills the
love of learning in our future leaders by engaging
children in good reading habits and making reading a
fun and interactive activity. Regardless of language or
literacy level, every adult can inspire young people to
appreciate the written word early in life. Parents and
mentors can help build fundamental skills by reading
aloud to children regularly, discussing the story, and
encouraging children to ask questions on words or
content they do not understand. By passing a passion
for literature on to our sons and daughters, we prepare
them to be lifelong, successful readers, and we provide
them with an essential skill necessary for academic
achievement.

Teachers also play an integral role in our students'
lives, and educators can help prepare our children to
meet the challenges of tomorrow by making reading a key
component of classroom activities. Our Nation's young
people rely on the critical thinking and analytical
skills gained from reading to build other areas of
knowledge, including the subjects of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics. The next
generation's ability to excel in these disciplines is
crucial to America's strength and prosperity in the
21st century.

Read Across America Day marks the birthday of Theodor
Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss.
Through amusing wordplay and engaging tales, his
stories have helped generations of young Americans
enjoy reading and sharpen basic reading skills, vital
tools for their future success. With parents, teachers,
and communities working together, we can ensure reading
is a national priority and American pastime. By
recommitting to improving literacy and raising the
expectations we have for our students, for our schools,
and for ourselves, we will win the future for our
children and give every child a chance to succeed.

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, 2011, 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 eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.