Reading initiative a huge success
2/19/2005
El Paso, TX
News
El Paso children and families receive 60,000 new books at Saturday's 'Read El Paso Read' event.
 Through “Read El Paso Read,” a new literacy initiative originally proposed by Congressman Reyes and coordinated by the El Paso Empowerment Zone, El Paso children and families will enjoy 60,000 new books. The books were given away at Read El Paso Read's first book giveaway that also featured food and games for the children.
Congressman Reyes made the opening speech (attached below) at the event.
Thank you very much. I am very proud and excited to be a part of this great event. It is not often that this number of community groups and organizations, businesses, and government offices all work to put together such a great cause as this. I'd like to thank the El Paso Empowerment Zone board and staff for their leadership in this "Read El Paso Read" initiative, especially my good friend Ms. Margie Velez.
Let me also thank the partners who helped make today happen: Lopez Advertizing, Gem's Gems, Book Gallery, YISD, EPISD, YWCA, Sun Metro, the El Paso Public Libraries, Ft. Bliss, the El Paso Times, the City of El Paso and many, many more that helped make today a tremendous success.
The "Read El Paso Read" campaign is the first initiative of its kind to address literacy concerns in our community. It is our hope that this campaign will increase reading, literacy and the use of our public libraries in El Paso.
It is evident that El Paso is meeting the literacy challenge. We have all rolled up our sleeves and have gotten involved. Literacy is particularly important to El Paso and the entire border region. We are a bilingual community and this poses an increased challenge. But if met, we will not only have an educational advantage but we will have an economic advantage in our growing global economy. Because of what is at stake, it is important that we remain committed to increasing literacy in order to prepare our young people for the challenges of the 21st century.
Although we cannot make everyone learn, what we can do is try to provide for the opportunities and the environment for learning. Today's event is a great step toward doing just that.
I encourage all the participants, both organizers and parents alike, to continue their work and efforts in this challenge. Our community will surely benefit from it.
Again, thank you for all your efforts, and keep up the good work.
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