Statements On Introduced Bills And Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - July 30, 2007)

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Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I introduce with my colleague, Senator Grassley, the Prescribe A Book Act.

Our legislation amends the No Child Left Behind Act to create a federal pediatric early literacy grant initiative based on the long-standing, successful Reach Out and Read program. The program would award grants to highly qualified nonprofit entities to train doctors and nurses in advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and to give books to children at pediatric check-ups from 6 months to five years of age, with a priority for children from low-income families. It builds on the relationship between parents and medical providers and helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading.

The Reach Out and Read model has consistently demonstrated effectiveness in increasing parent involvement and boosting children's reading proficiency. Research published in peer-reviewed, scientific journals has found that parents who have participated in the program are significantly more likely to read to their children and include more children's books in their home, and that children served by the program show an increase of 4-8 points on vocabulary tests. I have seen up-close the positive impact of this program on children and their families when visiting a number of the 40 Rhode Island Reach Out and Read sites.

I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Prescribe A Book Act and work for its inclusion in the upcoming reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.

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