President Obama Shares a Story – Pass it on

It’s been a bit crazy around here this morning, so I didn’t see the New York Times’ article about President Obama’s speech.  Thankfully, Matt Ferraguto, Director of Communications  for Reach out and Read, made it easy for me to hone in on what (undoubtedly) is my favorite part. Here’s the excerpt he posted on his Facebook page.

PRESIDENT OBAMA SPEAKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF READING ALOUD TO CHILDREN!

In President Obama’s Address last night to the Congress and the Nation, he specifically cited the importance of encouraging parents to read aloud to their children.  Here is the relevant passage:

OBAMA: These education policies will open the doors of opportunity for our children, but it is up to us to ensure they walk through them.

In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent, for a mother or father who will attend those parent-teacher conferences, or help with homework, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, read to their child.

(APPLAUSE)

I speak to you not just as a president, but as a father when I say that responsibility for our children’s education must begin at home. That is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. That’s an American issue.

Yeah! I didn’t bother trying to add emphasis … I would have highlighted just about the whole thing.