PROCLAMATION

ONE BOOK, ONE PUTNAM

“THE BIG READ”

            WHEREAS, reading is an important activity for all of the residents of Putnam County; and

            WHEREAS, less than half of the adult American population now reads literature, the Board of Commissioners wishes to encourage all of the County’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  a “stroll down memory lane” event to be held throughout Putnam County; and

            WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners knows the residents of Putnam County will benefit and learn from reading this book.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Putnam County 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 23^rd  day of January, 2007.

                                                                        BOARD OF COUNY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                        PUTNAM COUNTY, FLORIDA

ATTEST:                                                         By_________________________________

                                                                             Brad Purcell, Chairman

____________________________

Tim Smith, Clerk of Court