REP. ANDREWS VISITS STUDENTS AT SOUTH JERSEY SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE NATIONAL PROGRAM: "READING ACROSS AMERICA"

In recognition of the nationwide initiative to promote reading every day, I visited with students at numerous elementary schools throughout the First Congressional District. The nationwide event, sponsored by the National Education Association was created to commemorate Dr. Seuss' birthday and most importantly, to highlight the significance of reading to our nation's youth. While visiting with students from Gibbsboro Elementary School, St. Lawrence Regional School in Lindenwold, the LEAP Academy Charter School and the George Washington Elementary School located in Camden City, I conveyed that because language is the most utilized form of communication, reading is instrumental in helping students form the foundation for a successful academic career.

As education opens the door to a successful academic future for our nation's youth, reading serves as the key to understanding the purpose of the printed word and for developing good listening skills. I believe, as many educators do, that reading aloud helps a young child build a vocabulary beyond what he is able to read for himself and entices a child into an exciting world of learning and entertainment.

Over the years, I have continued to join South Jersey students annually in "Reading Across America" because I feel educational programs like this are crucial to our nation's youth as they absorb information about the world and how it works. Because reading is important to learn in every culture and language, I remain committed to ensuring that Programs like "Reading Across America" remain constant in the curriculum of our nation's schools so that the young minds of our future generations of Americans can continue to be nurtured.

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