WASHINGTON, DC – March 4, 2008 – Yesterday, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas joined with 2nd grade students at Sanborn Elementary School in Andover as part of 'Read Across America Day,' which is sponsored annually by the National Education Association and coincides with the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.  Now in its 11th year, Read Across America Day focuses the country’s attention on the importance of motivating children to read in addition to helping them master basic skills.

"I was pleased to visit Sanborn Elementary School to read with the 2nd grade students of Ms. Maffeo's class on Read Across America Day," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. "As a former teacher and a dean at Middlesex Community College I know how much early childhood reading contributes to a student's future educational and long-term success.  Children's books that are read with parents, classmates, or independently at an early age promote creativity, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning and it is for theses reasons that children should be encouraged to read everyday."

"In the coming weeks, I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House Budget Committee in order to provide appropriate funding levels for the landmark No Child Left Behind law, as well as for other education initiatives which ensure that teachers have the resources they need to help our students achieve in their classrooms from pre-school through college," Tsongas concluded.