George W. Bush

“ The ability to read is the gateway to educational excellence and a key to success in any democratic society. On Literacy Day, we recognize the vital importance of literacy to our Nation and affirm our commitment to helping improve the lives of the men, women, and children in America and around the world who cannot read.
Our society has a responsibility to ensure individuals have the educational opportunities to learn to read. Literacy is a basic requirement for healthy societies and enables people to better care for themselves and their families. ”

“ Through No Child Left Behind Act programs such as Reading First, Early Reading First, and Striving Readers, we are challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations and helping to provide students with the foundation to achieve their dreams. Reading also helps adults to be better consumers, and wider literacy increases economic participation, which helps to create more stable and vibrant economies. ”

“ By donating books to local libraries, volunteering to tutor, supporting international literacy programs, and fostering a learning environment in the home, citizens across this great Nation can make a difference and help their fellow Americans and people throughout the world enjoy the benefits of literacy. ”