For Immediate Release: February 27, 2006
Contact: Kimberly Allen, (202) 226-8364, (571) 232-8037 [cell]
Rothman Celebrates Dr. Seuss' Birthday with Students at Washington and McKenzie Elementary Schools
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Pictured: Rothman reading to second grade students at Washington Elementary School in Hawthorne.
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(Hawthorne and East Rutherford, NJ)— Today, Congressman Steve Rothman (NJ-9) donned a Dr. Seuss hat and read the author's classic book The Lorax to second grade students at Washington Elementary School in Hawthorne and third and fourth grade students at McKenzie Elementary School in East Rutherford, NJ. Rothman visited these schools to generate enthusiasm for reading as part of the National Education Association's (NEA) annual "Read Across America" program, which hosts events nationwide to promote reading around Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2.
"It was such a delight to read with the students at Hawthorne and McKenzie Elementary Schools today. Dr. Seuss knew that kids who read for fun outside of school do well in school. That's why it is so fitting to use his birthday to celebrate reading," said Rothman.
The Lorax is among Rothman's favorite works by Dr. Seuss because in addition to being a fun book, it also invites children to think about the world around them and the importance of speaking up for it -- just like the "mossy, bossy" Lorax. Dr. Seuss first published this story about the environment in 1971 and it remains a seminal work in children's literature.
This week marks the ninth annual Read Across America campaign, celebrating what would have been Dr. Seuss's 102nd birthday. In 2005, nearly 50 million children and adults participated in this annual reading motivation and awareness program nationwide. The New Jersey Education Association has planned events throughout the state.
Additional information is available online at: http://www.njea.org/ReadAcrossAmerica/ .
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