Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 9, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Launches 2004 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge in Spokane

Gov. Gary Locke today kicked off the 2004 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge at Michael Anderson Elementary School on the Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. Col. Anthony Mauer, commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild, escorted Locke to the school. Otto, the Spokane Indians mascot, also joined the governor to encourage the students to read over the summer.

“Reading is the key to all academic success,” Locke told 650 Anderson students at an all-school assembly. “I encourage you to build on what you’ve learned this year. I want each and every one of you to succeed in life, and being a good reader is the foundation of that success.”

The governor also praised the partnership between Fairchild AFB and Anderson Elementary. “The base does such great work helping the school promote literacy and the value of reading,” he said. “I want to thank the officers and staff at Fairchild as well as all the teachers, administrators, parents and volunteers who work hard to help all Anderson students succeed.”

Locke will launch the challenge in Seattle on Friday at the John Stanford International School. The Mariner Moose will join the governor at that event to help promote summer reading.

Locke started the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge in 2002 to encourage Washington students to continue reading during summer vacation and add to the reading gains they made during the school year. More than 6,000 Washington children participated last year.

The governor is encouraging all Washington state residents under the age of 18 to read 15 hours or more by Labor Day (Sept. 6). They have until Sept. 18 to report their success. Students can participate by being part of any summer reading program (library, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, etc.) or by reading on their own.

Each student who meets the challenge will receive a signed certificate from the governor and become eligible for a trip for four to Disneyland. Sponsors of this year’s challenge are Comcast, Alaska Airlines, Page Ahead and Verizon.

Students can report their summer reading adventures to the governor by logging on to www.governor.wa.gov/summerreadingchallenge/ or by writing to the following address: Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA, 98504-0002.

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