Office of the Mayor
Proclamation
Lawrence, Kansas
WHEREAS: There are over 796 million adults worldwide who lack the literacy skills needed to obtain good jobs or to actively participate in the education of their children; and it is estimated that 75 million children did not attend school and many more attend irregularly or are drop outs; and over 150,000 people in the state of Kansas over the age of 16 lack the ability to read or write.
WHEREAS: Altrusa International, Inc., an organization of executive and professional women committed to community service, has pledged to work toward worldwide literacy; and
WHEREAS: The community of Lawrence has residents of all ages, in every neighborhood, who are functionally illiterate; and
WHEREAS: Altrusa International, Inc., of Lawrence has provided annual scholarships for women, is the underwriting sponsor of the River City Reading Festival, has supported New York Elementary School with a large donation of books, has provided books to Willow Domestic Violence Center and First Step House, has provided large print books to Lawrence Senior Services, and has implemented the Newborn Book Project at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and thereby encourages reading and the promotion of life-long literacy for the residents of Lawrence;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael Dever, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim September 5 – 11, 2013 as
and urge all citizens of this community to continue working together in addressing literacy needs in Lawrence and Douglas County.
Michael Dever, Mayor
September 3, 2013