"America Reads" Challenge (1997)

WHEREAS, reading is and always has been the key that unlocks learning in all subjects; and

WHEREAS, more than 25% of students above the fourth grade nationwide have failed to attain proficiency in reading; and

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Education has established the "America Reads" Challenge - an initiative to help ensure that every child can read well and independently by the end of the third grade; and

WHEREAS, United States Secretary of Education Richard Riley has asked Communities of Faith to support the "America Reads" Challenge; and

WHEREAS, all Americans benefit from greater literacy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM encourages those members of affiliated congregations who are able to do so to volunteer in after school and summer tutoring programs.