Reading is Fundamental Day

WHEREAS, the mission of Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is to prepare and motivate children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to children and families who need them most; and

WHEREAS, RIF was founded on November 3, 1966 in Washington, D.C. with a pilot project in three elementary schools; and

WHEREAS, taking notice of the program’s value, U.S. Congress created the “Inexpensive Book Distribution Program” (IBDP) in the 1976 Elementary and Secondary Education Act; and

WHEREAS, since its beginning in 1966, RIF has given away more than 380 million new, free books to children who might otherwise not have any to call their own; and

WHEREAS, nearly two thirds of low-income families own no books; and

WHEREAS, last year, RIF distributed over 15 million books to more than four million children at the highest risk of academic failure in every state and U.S. territory, with the assistance of more than 400,000 volunteers; and

WHEREAS, RIF reaches children of all ages in a variety of settings, including schools, community centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, migrant communities, churches, hospitals and health clinics, among other locations; and

WHEREAS, RIF’s work underscores the importance of access to books and the direct positive link to enhanced reading behavior and motivation; and

WHEREAS, RIF is celebrating its 45th year of operation and service to communities nationwide:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 3, 2011, as

Reading is Fundamental Day

in the State of the Alabama, call upon all citizens to join in this worthwhile observance and ask that all participate in and support the Reading Is Fundamental Program.

 

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1st day of November 2011.

 

                                                                                 Governor Robert Bentley