The President’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2009 eliminates the Inexpensive Book Distribution Program which is Reading is Fundamental's RIF book distribution program. RIF distributes 16 million books annually 4.6 million at risk families.
When I heard this I was outrages. Without literacy and good reading skills, kids cannot learn. It's important to keep this vital program helping kids and families receive free books and reading encouragement.
What You Can Do
Act now to help RIF build support for reinstating the funding by sending an e-mail to your members of Congress.
You can also tell your friends online at Facebook:
I sent an email through RIF's site, which was easy to do. You also have the option of adding a personalized message about how important books, reading and RIF is to you.
Here's the response I got back from Colorado Congressman Mark Udall (D):
Dear Ms. Nichols:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Reading is Fundamental program. I appreciate your taking time to get in touch and I apologize for the delay in my response.
With increasing testing and accountability standards for our schools it is important that we provide students and teachers with the tools they need to become proficient in reading. Reading is Fundamental creates an excitement about reading for students by allowing them to take home new books, encouraging them to read at home as well as at school.
I believe we need to do more to encourage reading in our nation's youth; however I am concerned that the current Labor-HHS-Education budget does not do enough to assist our schools in reaching the accountability standards and guarantee that American students' reading and math skills are at an adequate level. Please know that I will continue to work for the resources we need to ensure a quality education for all of our children.
Thank you again for contacting me. To do my job well, I need to hear critical feedback from fellow Coloradans. For more information about my positions, please visit my website at www.house.gov/markudall and sign up of the email newsletter.
Warm Regards,
Mark Udall
Member of Congress
Let's save RIF because reading truly is fundamental.
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