THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release March 1, 2016
READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY, 2016
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
From a child's first foray into the depths of a story to
an adult's escape into a world of words, reading plays an
integral role in our lives. Works of fiction and non-fiction
alike pique interest and inspiration and shape our
understanding of each other and ourselves, teaching us lessons
in kindness and humility, responsibility and respect. The
moment we persuade a child to pick up a book for the first time
we change their lives forever for the better, and on Read
Across America Day, we recommit to getting literary works into
our young peoples' hands early and often.
March 2 is also the birthday of one of America's revered
wordsmiths. Theodor Seuss Geisel -- or Dr. Seuss -- used his
incredible talent to instill in his most impressionable readers
universal values we all hold dear. Through a prolific
collection of stories, he made children see that reading is
fun, and in the process, he emphasized respect for all; pushed
us to accept ourselves for who we are; challenged preconceived
notions and encouraged trying new things; and by example,
taught us that we are limited by nothing but the range of our
aspirations and the vibrancy of our imaginations. And for
older lovers of literature, he reminded us not to take
ourselves too seriously, creating wacky and wild characters and
envisioning creative and colorful places.
Books reveal unexplored universes and stimulate curiosity,
and in underserved communities, they play a particularly
important role in prompting inquisition and encouraging
ambition. Last month, the First Lady announced the launch of
Open eBooks, a new project that will unlock a world of learning
and possibility for millions of American children and provide
over $250 million worth of reading material to students who
need it most. As we work to get every child engrossed in
literature, we honor the many people who devote their lives and
careers to carrying forward this important cause -- including
our librarians, educators, and parents. We can all get lost in
a good read, and we owe it to rising learners to give them the
chance to experience that same enjoyment and fulfillment.
Today, and every day, let us celebrate the power of
reading by promoting literacy and supporting new opportunities
for students to plunge into the pages of a book. As Dr. Seuss
noted, "The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Together,
2
we can help all children go plenty of places along their
unending journey for knowledge and ensure everyone can find joy
and satisfaction in the wonders of the written word.
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, 2016, 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 sixteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release March 1, 2016
READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY, 2016
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
From a child's first foray into the depths of a story to
an adult's escape into a world of words, reading plays an
integral role in our lives. Works of fiction and non-fiction
alike pique interest and inspiration and shape our
understanding of each other and ourselves, teaching us lessons
in kindness and humility, responsibility and respect. The
moment we persuade a child to pick up a book for the first time
we change their lives forever for the better, and on Read
Across America Day, we recommit to getting literary works into
our young peoples' hands early and often.
March 2 is also the birthday of one of America's revered
wordsmiths. Theodor Seuss Geisel -- or Dr. Seuss -- used his
incredible talent to instill in his most impressionable readers
universal values we all hold dear. Through a prolific
collection of stories, he made children see that reading is
fun, and in the process, he emphasized respect for all; pushed
us to accept ourselves for who we are; challenged preconceived
notions and encouraged trying new things; and by example,
taught us that we are limited by nothing but the range of our
aspirations and the vibrancy of our imaginations. And for
older lovers of literature, he reminded us not to take
ourselves too seriously, creating wacky and wild characters and
envisioning creative and colorful places.
Books reveal unexplored universes and stimulate curiosity,
and in underserved communities, they play a particularly
important role in prompting inquisition and encouraging
ambition. Last month, the First Lady announced the launch of
Open eBooks, a new project that will unlock a world of learning
and possibility for millions of American children and provide
over $250 million worth of reading material to students who
need it most. As we work to get every child engrossed in
literature, we honor the many people who devote their lives and
careers to carrying forward this important cause -- including
our librarians, educators, and parents. We can all get lost in
a good read, and we owe it to rising learners to give them the
chance to experience that same enjoyment and fulfillment.
Today, and every day, let us celebrate the power of
reading by promoting literacy and supporting new opportunities
for students to plunge into the pages of a book. As Dr. Seuss
noted, "The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Together,
2
we can help all children go plenty of places along their
unending journey for knowledge and ensure everyone can find joy
and satisfaction in the wonders of the written word.
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, 2016, 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 sixteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA
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