Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 25, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Reminds Children about Sept. 1 Summer Reading Challenge Deadline

Gov. Gary Locke today reminded Washington children and parents that there’s only one week left to meet the 2003 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge. Children have until Labor Day (Sept. 1) to let the governor know if they have read 15 hours or more during summer vacation.

Locke started the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge last year to encourage Washington students to continue reading during summer vacation and add to the reading gains they made during the school year.

The governor is urging all children under the age of 18 to read 15 hours or more before Labor Day and report their success to him via e-mail or letter (addresses below). Children can participate by being part of any summer reading program (library, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, etc.) or by reading on their own. Preschoolers and children with special needs who may have difficulty reading on their own can participate by having an adult or older child read to them.

“No matter what you want to do in life, you need to be a good reader,” Locke said. “Reading is the key to all academic success, and it’s very important that students continue reading during the summer so they don’t lose any ground heading into the new school year.”

Each child who meets the governor’s challenge will receive a signed certificate from the governor and become eligible for one trip for a family of four to Disneyland, courtesy of Disneyland and Alaska Airlines. The random drawing will take place in mid-September. Nearly 6,000 Washington children met the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge last year.

Children can report their summer reading adventures to the governor by logging on to www.governor.wa.gov/summerreadingchallenge/default.asp or by clicking on the link at www.governor.wa.gov. Children can also write to the governor at the following address: Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA, 98504-0002.

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