TALLAHASSEE � Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet presented
a resolution at Tuesday�s Cabinet Meeting recognizing September 8, 2007, as
International Literacy Day. In celebration, the Department�s Florida State
Parks are partnering with the Department of Education�s (DOE) Just Read,
Florida! program, the Department of State, the Florida Lottery, Volunteer
USA Foundation, Florida Literacy Coalition, Adult and Community Educators of
Florida, and local libraries and reading programs to promote the importance of
literacy and environmental education.
�State
parks are a natural setting for a collaboration of environmental education and
literacy,� said Secretary Sole. �We look forward to working with our partners
during this month-long effort to encourage education as well as recreation
within Florida�s state parks, which offer a wide array of natural and cultural
resources.�
Florida�s
state parks are highlighting literacy with special events across the state. In
addition, throughout the month of September, visitors to any state park can
enter for free by presenting a library card or library book, or by donating a
new or gently used family book. DOE will help distribute donated books to
under-privileged children throughout the state. To encourage environmental
education, age-specific reading lists will be distributed to libraries and
schools that focus on Florida�s wildlife, history and recreational
opportunities. With funding from the Florida Lottery, Literacy Month bookmarks
will be distributed at Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Public Libraries and Senior
Centers throughout the state.
�This
wonderful celebration will help to highlight the depth of Florida�s natural,
cultural and literary resources,� said Education Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg.
�Through it, we are able to focus the public�s attention on the importance of
reading, a key building block to future academic success.�
The first
two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation�s best state park service,
Florida�s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks
spanning 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and
diving in Florida�s rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and
riding on natural scenic trails, Florida�s state parks offer year-round outdoor
activities for all ages. Battle reenactments and Native American festivals
celebrate Florida�s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses
offer a window into Florida�s cultural heritage.
For more
information about the Department�s Florida State Parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. To learn
more about DOE�s Just Read, Florida! program, visit www.justreadflorida.com. For
information on library services available online, go to www.dos.state.fl.us.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, September 8, 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the worldwide observance of International Literacy Day, and
WHEREAS, reading is critical to the success of adults and children as Florida and the world move toward an increasingly technological future; and
WHEREAS, more than twenty percent of Florida�s adults experience literacy issues, according to the Florida Literacy Coalition, that severely impact their lives and families, their ability to work productively and their full participation as citizens and residents of our state, and
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WHEREAS, parents create an environment for their children�s lifelong learning potential and the reading habits of children become the foundation for their future educational and employment success, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Environmental Protection�s Florida Park Service is partnering with the Volunteer USA Foundation, the Florida Literacy Coalition, and the Adult and Community Educators of Florida, the Florida Department of Education�s Just Read, Florida!,� the Department of State�s Division of Library and Information Services and the Department of Lottery in sponsoring reading and literacy activities in state parks, and
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WHEREAS, the 161 Florida State Parks are planning special activities and many will host literacy and interpretive events for the entire month of September to emphasize the importance of literacy in general and reading about the environmental, cultural and historic significance of their geographic areas specifically, and
WHEREAS, Florida State Parks will waive the admission fee during the month of September for all visitors who donate a new or used book, show a valid library card or show a book checked out from a library, and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that September 8, 2007 is declared International Literacy Day in Florida, and�
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Environmental Protection�s Florida Park Service and its partner organizations are to be commended for their demonstrated commitment to literacy and reading and to raising the awareness of the importance of a literate citizenry to all Floridians.