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WHEREAS, on Saturday, September 9, 2006, Beginning with Books Center for Early Literacy will host it's seventh annual Storywalk in Frick Park from 10 am until 1pm; and
WHEREAS, this exciting event promotes early literacy for children of all ages with games, music, art, and live story-telling activities including stories read by the author and interactive story sets which create a fun learning environment and empower children to read; and
WHEREAS, Beginning with Books has been an advocate for early literacy since 1984, providing access to books for all children, especially at risk children, and those in low income communities, placing hundreds of thousands of books in homes and child care centers throughout greater Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Beginning with Books is a volunteer based organization that is working to increase the number of children who become capable and enthusiastic lifelong readers, using creative methods such as Storywalk, which enable parents to promote the literacy and development of their children while breaking the cycle of literacy problems: and
WHEREAS, Beginning with Books has found the first five years of life to be the most crucial in preventing illiteracy and has been successful in using a variety of culturally specific programs to reduce illiteracy in children and foster a life-long love of learning.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does recognize Beginning with Books for their leadership in ending illiteracy in the City of Pittsburgh and is honored that Pittsburgh can be home to such a distinctive and idealistic organization.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday, September 9, 2006, "Early Literacy Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.