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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 Springfield, Massachusetts; and

   Whereas, Theodor Seuss Geisel graduated from Dartmouth College in

 1925 and was pursuing a doctorate in English literature at Oxford

 University when he returned from Europe in 1927 and began writing

 humorous articles and creating cartoons for various magazines; and

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

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

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

 in a career that would change the world of children’s literature forever;

 and

   Whereas, In May of 1954, Life magazine published a report

 concerning illiteracy among school children, stating that, among other

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

 were boring; and

   Whereas, This comment inspired Theodor Seuss Geisel’s publisher,

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

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

 words to write a book that would excite children; and

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

 Cat in the Hat, which became the prototype for Beginner Books, the

 popular Random House series that combines engaging stories with

 outrageous illustrations and playful sounds to teach basic reading skills;

 and

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 books in the world; and

   Whereas, Brilliant, playful and always respectful of children, Dr.

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

 the education and enjoyment of America’s children and their parents; and

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

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

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

 a book can provide; and

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

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

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

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

 now, therefore, be it

   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

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

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

 be it further

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

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

   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit

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

 Education Association, and Ken Lange, Executive Director of the Nevada

 State Education Association.

 

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