Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 24, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke unveils PSA in Tri-Cities, praises region's businesses and individuals for involvement in the Washington Reading Corps

TRI-CITIES — Gov. Gary Locke today unveiled a public service announcement (PSA) in the Tri-Cities featuring Locke and Seattle Mariners star shortstop Alex Rodriguez. The PSA urges more businesses and citizens to "get involved" and "help hit a home run for kids" by helping children learn to read (see attached script).

Locke praised area businesses that have gotten involved in the Reading Corps and other literacy efforts, but, he said, "… there's still more to do – we can't stop, we won't stop, until every child is succeeding at reading. And that's going to take even more teamwork and collaboration."

Locke kicked off a statewide tour on Wednesday to help raise awareness for the Reading Corps and encourage citizen involvement. He showed the PSA at the statewide Reading Corps conference in Seattle on Wednesday, then again at events in Yakima and Spokane yesterday. He also spoke to the Association of Washington Business (AWB) annual policy summit in Bellingham yesterday and encouraged member businesses to become involved with the program.

Fluor Daniel hosted the PSA unveiling in the Tri-Cities this morning. Among other support, Fluor Daniel has many employees who volunteer as Reading Corps tutors, a practice the company encourages.

"Fluor Daniel believes that although only 25 percent of our population is children, they are 100 percent of our future. And only through the ability to read well can we all succeed, not only as a country, but as a society," said John Umbarger of Fluor Daniel Hanford. "We encourage other businesses and organizations to get involved in the Reading Corps and help make a difference in their community."

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