Honor South Jamaica Reads Event

2017 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations which are committed to enhancing the quality of education in the State of New York, and which enable our schools to offer excellent educational programs in the most efficient manner; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend South Jamaica Reads upon the occasion of hosting a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at the South Jamaica Library in Jamaica, New York; and WHEREAS, Children and their families will gather together to celebrate Dr. Seuss' legacy through read-aloud activities, a light lunch, literacy events, crafts, and a puppet show; and WHEREAS, South Jamaica Reads is a partnership of literacy organizations working with families, schools, and the surrounding community to ensure that children start school ready to read and stay on track for academic success; and WHEREAS, Strong literacy skills are a crucial component to having a productive life, and literacy development begins at birth; studies show that children who are successful readers by third grade are more likely to do well in school, graduate from high school, and have successful careers as adults; an investment in early literacy is an investment in the success and sustainability of a community; and WHEREAS, South Jamaica Reads, a pilot project of the New York City Literacy Network, is a collaboration of 10 organizations working together to improve literacy outcomes for children in one of New York City's most at-risk communities, South Jamaica, Queens; and WHEREAS, Through these partnerships, services are concentrated to give children and families a range of resources needed to support literacy development for children from birth through fifth grade in schools, homes, libraries, healthcare facilities, and the surrounding community; and WHEREAS, Dr. Seuss is a giant within the literary world; his work has inspired millions of children from every race and creed to read books, which traditionally has not always been the easiest task to complete; and WHEREAS, Throughout his exceptional career, Dr. Seuss has always taught children that "you'll never be bored when you try something new"; his work in particular bridged that gap and made reading entertaining for youth all over the world; and WHEREAS, Dr. Seuss' incredible legacy deserves to be honored and maintained; his work sets the precedent for success in the sense that once children learn how to read at a tender age, this will persist throughout their childhood and will facilitate a college degree; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is very pleased to have this opportunity to salute South Jamaica Reads for its long history of purposeful endeavor which has greatly benefited the community of South Jamaica, Queens, and to wish this worthy organization continued success in future years; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend South Jamaica Reads upon the occasion of hosting a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party on March 4, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to South Jamaica Reads.