Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 8–Assemblymen Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams

 

March 2, 2001

____________

 

Joint Sponsors: Senators Raggio, Titus, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Porter, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Townsend, Washington and Wiener

____________

 

Read and Adopted

 

SUMMARY—Recognizes March 2, 2001, as “Read Across America” Day in Nevada in commemoration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. (BDR R‑1483)

 

~

 

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

Assembly Concurrent RESOLUTION—Recognizing March 2, 2001, as “Read Across America” Day in Nevada in commemoration of Dr.Seuss’s birthday.

 

1-1    Whereas, Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in

1-2  Springfield, Massachusetts; and

1-3    Whereas, Theodor Seuss Geisel graduated from Dartmouth College in

1-4  1925 and was pursuing a doctorate in English literature at Oxford

1-5  University when he returned from Europe in 1927 and began writing

1-6  humorous articles and creating cartoons for various magazines; and

1-7    Whereas, The first children’s book written by Theodor Seuss Geisel,

1-8  And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected by 43

1-9  publishers until, in 1937, a friend published the book for him, the first step

1-10  in a career that would change the world of children’s literature forever; and

1-11    Whereas, In May of 1954, Life magazine published a report

1-12  concerning illiteracy among school children, stating that, among other

2-1  things, children were having trouble learning to read because the books

2-2  were boring; and

2-3    Whereas, This comment inspired Theodor Seuss Geisel’s publisher,

2-4  Bennett Cerf, to compile a list of 400 words that he felt were important,

2-5  and he asked Mr. Geisel to cut the list to 250 words and use only those

2-6  words to write a book that would excite children; and

2-7    Whereas, Using 220 of the words given to him, Mr. Geisel wrote The

2-8  Cat in the Hat, which became the prototype for Beginner Books, the

2-9  popular Random House series that combines engaging stories with

2-10  outrageous illustrations and playful sounds to teach basic reading skills;

2-11  and

2-12    Whereas, A few years later, Bennett Cerf bet Mr. Geisel $50 that he

2-13  couldn’t write an entire book using only 50 words, and from that challenge

2-14  came the famous children’s book Green Eggs and Ham, which is familiar

2-15  to almost everyone who has ever had contact with a child; and

2-16    Whereas, From that point on, Theodor Seuss Geisel became known as

2-17  “Dr. Seuss,” and his philosophy that “Children want the same things we

2-18  want: To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained, and delighted” was the

2-19  inspiration that would make him the best-selling author of children’s books

2-20  in the world; and

2-21    Whereas, Brilliant, playful and always respectful of children, Dr.

2-22  Seuss received the Pulitzer Prize in 1984 for his lifetime contribution to the

2-23  education and enjoyment of America’s children and their parents; and

2-24    Whereas, Dr. Seuss died on September 24, 1991, but his legacy of

2-25  children’s books will live forever as an inspiration to children everywhere

2-26  to learn to read and to share in the laughter, enjoyment and knowledge that

2-27  a book can provide; and

2-28    Whereas, In honor of Dr. Seuss and the joy of reading, the National

2-29  Education Association has designated March 2, 2001, as “Read Across

2-30  America” Day and has called upon every child to read with a caring adult

2-31  on this day in honor of what would have been Dr. Seuss’s 97th birthday;

2-32  now, therefore, be it

2-33    Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-34  Concurring, That March 2, 2001, is hereby recognized as “Read Across

2-35  America” Day in Nevada in commemoration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday; and

2-36  be it further

2-37    Resolved, That children and adults are encouraged to read a favorite

2-38  book together on this date to share the joy of reading; and be it further

2-39    Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit

2-40  a copy of this resolution to Elaine Lancaster, President of the Nevada State

2-41  Education Association, and Ken Lange, Executive Director of the Nevada

2-42  State Education Association.

 

2-43  H