PROCLAMATION
ONE BOOK, ONE PUTNAM
“THE BIG READ”
WHEREAS, reading is an important activity for all of the residents of the City of Palatka; and
WHEREAS, less than half of the adult American population now reads literature, the Board of City Commissioners wishes to encourage all of the City’s residents, both young and old, to read; and
WHEREAS, The Big Read is a new national program by the National Endowment of the Arts, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Arts Midwest, that encourages literary reading by asking communities to come together to read and discuss one book; and
WHEREAS, reading is one way to create bonds within a family and among friends and neighbors, and with the Big Read, we want to get everyone in a community from high school kids and office workers to public officials and senior citizens to read and discuss a great book together; and
WHEREAS, One Book, One Putnam, is encouraging all residents to read Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, which has two broad themes of tolerance and justice set in the small southern town; and
WHEREAS, the Big Read aims to revive literary reading in America; therefore, in support of this goal, there will be book discussions, dramatic readings, movie viewings, and the “stroll down memory lane” events to be held throughout Putnam County; and
WHEREAS, the Board of City Commissioners knows the residents of Putnam County will benefit and learn from reading this book.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City of Palatka Board of Commissioners does hereby support learning through reading as promoted by One Book, One Putnam, and proclaims February, 2007 as the BIG READ month.
DONE, ORDERED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of January, 2007.
BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS
PALATKA, FLORIDA
ATTEST: By_________________________________
Mayor Karl Flagg, Chairman
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Mary Lawson Brown, Vice Chair