RIF Works to Save its Budget (Congress to cut funds for "Reading is Fundamental")

[villager]

Source: Publishers Weekly

RIF Works to Save Its Budget


Last month, President Bush submitted a proposed budget for fiscal year 2009, which eliminated funding for Reading Is Fundamental's book distribution program. Through the program, the organization distributed 16 million free books to 4.6 million children across the country last year. More than 30,000 messages have since been sent to Congress urging the reinstatement of a budget of $26 million for the organization's distribution program. To date 19 senators and 67 state representatives have signed a Dear Colleague letter in support of the organization.

RIF is also in contact with local coordinators who are working to spread awareness, particularly in districts where representatives have not yet signed their support. In July, the winners of RIF's 2008 Program Excellence Honors will visit their Congressional members on Capitol Hill to speak to the effects of the program's elimination. Additional information is available at the RIF Web site. Congress will finalize RIF's budget this September. —John Selle

Read more: http://www.rif.org/get-involved/advocate/what/

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This was from a Publishers Weekly newsletter today...

[clspector]

1. Dammit!

We have money to piss into that sinkhole in Iraq, but money for reading, not so much. God.

[OmahaBlueDog]

2. DOD wastes more money in an hour than this program costs for a year...

... and RIF has better payback.

Where is the literacy-promoting Barbara Bush when you need her?

[frog92969]

3. Newsflash: Chimpy doesn't think reading is important.

Now let's watch our republicon led congress fall in line.

[Mithreal]

4. Shame on Bush and the First Lady. nt

[tanyev]

9. Bet they trot her out on some PR campaign to talk about how much

they have done for education and literacy. She's offered herself as pig lipstick many, many times now.

[nosmokes]

5. WTF is that compassionate consrvatism?

This is so stoopit i can't bear it.

[trusty elf]

6. Watch out for that "federal cufflink" !

:crazy:

[MiniMe]

7. They used to be funded through the Smithsonian

I think they were separated out a few years ago, not sure when that was. They are a really good organization, I used to do some work for them.

[bronxiteforever]

8. The dumbing down of America continues. Trillions for war while cutting the kids' books

SHAME

[villager]

11. soon, being seen with a book will be cause to report someone to "Homeland Security..."

n/t

[Name removed]

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