Leap Into Reading Day February 29th

State of Minnesota
Proclamation

WHEREAS: The "7-Point Plan for Achieving Excellence has several initiatives relating to reading and literacy; and

WHEREAS: The Minnesota Department of Education develops and supports programs that make lifelong literacy accessible for all Minnesotans regardless of age, geographic location, disability, or other factors; and

WHEREAS: Early literacy begins with the adults in a child's life, since reading to children develops language skills and starts them towards success in reading and learning; and

WHEREAS: Research has shown that one of the best ways to help children succeed in school is to improve the literacy level of their primary adults; and

WHEREAS: According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, ll million adults are nonliterate in English; and

WHEREAS: Libraries are among the first institutions that New Americans turn to for help in learning how to read, write, and speak English; and

WHEREAS: Schools and public and academic libraries provide resources to support lifelong literacy and learning for all Minnesotans; and

WHEREAS: The Minnesota Department of Education is launching a statewide literacy campaign, building upon the momentum of February, 2012 as "I Love to Read Month," that will help raise awareness of programs that promote lifelong reading success.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARK DAYTON, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim February 29, 2012 to be:
LEAP INTO READING DAY
in the State of Minnesota.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota to be affixed at the State Capitol this 28th day of February.

(signed) Mark Dayton, Governor

SECRETARY OF STATE

(signed) Mark Ritchie, Secretary of State