December 3, 2004

LANSING – Michigan First Gentleman Daniel Granholm Mulhern today donated 200 children’s books to the library at Dort Elementary School in Flint to celebrate the kickoff of the Scholastic Read for 2005 reading initiative.
 
Mulhern donated the books to Dort as part of a global initiative that emphasizes the importance of reading to children.  He also participated in a read-a-thon to encourage students, parents, and teachers to read to children for 2005 seconds (approximately 33 minutes) a day.

Mulhern is involved in the initiative along with several other gubernatorial spouses in the United States.  He serves as co-chair of Scholastic Read for 2005 along with Anita Perry, the First Lady of Texas.  Throughout 2005, Mulhern will make other donations of children’s books to schools, community organizations, and libraries.
 
“Being able to read is an important life skill that helps people achieve prosperity in life,” Mulhern said.  “It is critical that we instill in young children a love for reading. The Governor already has changed child care facility rules in Michigan to ensure that children are read to at least 30 minutes a day – this initiative carries the momentum forward with our elementary school students.”
 
Dort Elementary was the first Michigan school to receive the books.  Mulhern chose Dort Elementary because the school recently made significant progress under the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
 
“Dort Elementary has shown that hard work can pay off,” Mulhern said.  “What better reward is there for these students than dozens of new books to continue nourishing their minds.”