April is School Library Month. Even as a kid, I loved reading books. My passion for reading wouldn’t have come about if I hadn’t had access to good quality books while growing up in Alpine.
Today, libraries, which house thousands of printed, digital and audio books, can help kids grow and gain new perspectives. Books teach us about the history of our great state of Texas. Books provide important lessons about how our country came to be. Books take us on fascinating journeys around the world.
It is critical to put good books in the hands of our children. School libraries play an invaluable role in the education and development of our youth –from Pre-K through high school and on to undergraduate and graduate school.
That is why, during the month of April, I urge parents to take kids to their school libraries – or any other library – and let them wander around and find books they like. I’m sure they will find something. Then, let them check out the books that piqued their interest.
Whether they choose to get lost in a novel or spend time buffing up on history, we must always know and never forget how important libraries and books are in shaping the minds of our kids.
Let’s work together to instill good reading habits in our children. Reading has many benefits. Confucius said, “You cannot open a book without learning something.†He was right. Reading teaches new words and expands a vocabulary. It opens entire new worlds of ideas and understanding. And, books can also help a kid stay focused and out of trouble.
As a member of Congress, I sometimes distribute books from the Library of Congress Book Surplus Program. I get to distribute these books, on a wide range of genres, to libraries and schools across the 23rd District of Texas. If you’d like your library to receive some of these books, please get in touch with staff by calling (210) 927-4592 (San Antonio), (915) 872-1066 (El Paso), (830) 488-6600 (Del Rio/Eagle Pass) or (202) 225-4511 (DC). You can also contact staff by sending an e-mail through our website, www.gallego.house.gov.
Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed. Let’s help them by instilling in them the good value of reading. When I got elected to Congress, many people told me about Harry Truman’s quote, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.†However, I much prefer Ernest Hemingway’s saying that: “There is no friend as loyal as a book.†Let’s go out and teach our kids to read and love it.
U.S. Representative Pete P. Gallego, D-Alpine, represents the 23rd District of Texas, which includes all or parts of 29 counties in southwest Texas, stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. He serves on the House Armed Services and House Agriculture Committees.
U.S. Representative Pete P. Gallego, D-Alpine, represents the 23rd District of Texas, which includes all or parts of 29 counties in southwest Texas, stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. He serves on the House Armed Services and House Agriculture Committees.
