U.S. VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY AND HIS WIFE JOIN U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY FOR “READ TO THE TOP!” SUMMER READING INITIATIVE

Sec VA Attending Monday’s "Read to the Top" with Education Dept. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki and his wife, Patricia Shinseki, for the Department of Education’s summer reading initiative, “Read to the Top!” at 12:30 p.m. Monday, July 27, at 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. The Education Department has partnered with community organizations nationwide to combat summer reading loss in response to President Obama’s national volunteer campaign, “United We Serve,” which challenges all Americans to engage in sustained, meaningful service to meet growing social needs resulting from the economic downturn.

During Monday’s event, the Education Secretary will read “The Imaginary Garden;” Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki will read “Night Catch;” and Mrs. Shinseki will read “I Feel a Foot!” to more than 100 children in grades pre-K through 4 from Bolling Air Force Base, the Fort Myer Youth Services program and the Anacostia children’s development center.

The U.S. Department of Education’s weekly reading campaign will continue through the summer and feature various children’s books read by the Secretary, other Cabinet members and top Administration officials. During Education Week, July 27 through August 2, “United We Serve” will focus on the countless Americans who strengthen communities by rolling up their sleeves to read with a child, volunteer at a library, or organize a book drive, among other education-related service activities.

Service is an effective way to address many of the tough challenges facing 37 million Americans living in poverty.  While “United We Serve” runs through the National Day of Service and Remembrance on Sept. 11, its goal is to continue and become a sustained, collaborative effort to promote service as a way of life for all Americans. The initiative, led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, aims to expand the impact of existing organizations by engaging new volunteers in their work and to encourage volunteers to develop their own projects with friends, family and neighbors. To become involved, visit www.Serve.gov

WHO:     U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki
Mrs. Patricia Shinseki, wife of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki

WHAT:   “Read to the Top!” summer reading event

WHERE:  U.S. Department of Education’s Plaza
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C.

WHEN:   12:30 p.m. EDT, Monday, July 27, 2009

CONTACTS:      Katie Roberts, VA (202) 527-2332
John White, Sandra Abrevaya, DoE (202) 401-1576