Make March Reading Month

Senate Resolution No. 4146 BY: Senator COMRIE MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2018, as Reading Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of initiatives which affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2018, as Reading Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Reading Month; and WHEREAS, Reading is a solitary act that makes you a part of a community; and WHEREAS, The National Reading Group Month, from the Women's National Book Association (WNBA), launched National Reading Group Month in October of 2007; this vital organization hosts special events in the chapter cities, which include: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C.; and WHEREAS, The WNBA strives to increase public awareness of the joy and value of shared reading, provide a time for reading groups to celebrate their accomplishments and plan for the future, offer opportunities for individuals to join an existing reading group or start a new one, and encourage libraries, bookstores, and organizations to host special reading group events; and WHEREAS, National Reading Month starts off on March 2, 2018, with Read Across America, a day where libraries and schools all over the country celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday by reading one of his classic children's titles aloud and throwing "Cat in the Hat" themed parties; and WHEREAS, Whether it is in the library during story time or at home before bed, we can help create a lifelong reader by showing children how wonderful books are at a young age; and WHEREAS, Studies show that children who are read to at least three times a week are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading scores; and WHEREAS, During the month of March, this Legislative Body encourages all New Yorkers to read a child a favorite book and show our youngest readers how great books and stories are; as Dr. Seuss would say ... "Be awesome, be a book nut!"; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to help increase awareness of initiatives which affect the lives of citizens of New York State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2018, as Reading Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.