Senate Resolution No. 813

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMENDING South Jamaica Reads upon the occasion
of hosting a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party on March 4,
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.