Gov. Gianforte Celebrates Read Across America Week with Students

Governor's Office

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte recently joined students at Four Georgians Elementary School in Helena to celebrate Read Across America Week.

"Reading opens the door to opportunity and imagination," Gov. Gianforte said. "Events like Read Across America Week help inspire young Montanans to develop a love of books and learning that will serve them for the rest of their lives."

Gov. Gianforte speaks to students at Four Georgians Elementary School

Observed annually in early March, Read Across America Week is sponsored by the National Education Association and corresponds with the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss. The celebration is the nation's largest reading event, bringing together more than 45 million readers each year.

During the visit, the governor read Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss to students and spoke about the importance of literacy and developing a lifelong love of reading. He also promoted Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, an initiative led by first lady Susan Gianforte.

Advancing her initiatives as Montana's first lady, Susan Gianforte in June 2023 launched the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library of Montana in partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Prior to launching the initiative, the program was only available in some Montana counties and approximately 8,500 Montana children were enrolled. Today, Imagination Library of Montana has 58 local program partners in all 56 counties serving nearly 29,500 of the state's eligible children. Over 783,000 books have been mailed in Montana since the program's statewide expansion.

Students and teachers at Four Georgians Elementary School marked the celebration with activities focused on reading and literacy, joining millions of students, educators, and community leaders across the country participating in Read Across America Week.

Read Across America encourages communities to come together to promote reading and highlight the importance of literacy for students of all ages.

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