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Home My Public Portal About09/01/1993 * Literacy MonthP R O C L A M A T I O N Proclaiming the month of September, 1993 "LITERACY MONTH" in the Town of Gulf Stream, Florida WHEREAS, an estimated 25 million adult Americans are lacking skills and another 35 to 40 million are func- tionally illiterate with skills below the eighth grade level; and WHEREAS, adult illiteracy costs society an estimated $225 billion a year in lost industrial productivity, unrealized tax revenues, welfare, crime, poverty, and related social ills; and WHEREAS, in Florida one in five adults is functionally illiterate; and in Palm Beach County it is estimated 70,000 adults read at less than an eighth grade level; and WHEREAS, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LITERACY COALITION serves to promote the learning of basic reading, writing, and math - matic skills and to engage in programs to further literacy within our county; and WHEREAS, The Literacy Coalition is asking each individual in Palm Beach County to "Celebrate Reading" in September by spending some time each Wednesday with a book; and WHEREAS, many businesses will be competing in the coalition's "Great Grown -Up Spelling Bee" on September 18 to raise literacy awareness. NOW, THEREFORE, I, William F. Koch, Jr. Mayor of the Town of Gulf Stream, Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of September,1993 as "LITERACY AWARENESS MONTH" in the Town of Gulf Stream, Florida and urge all citizens interested in acquiring services or information regarding literacy to contact the Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition. IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have herewith set my hand and caused the Seal of the Town of Gulf Stream, Florida to be affixed this 20th day of August, 1993. (SEAL) xri G William F. Koch, Jr. Mayor PAIM REACH COUNTY LITERACY COALITION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Kenneth G. Spillias, Esq. Past President Gale G. Howden The Palm Beach Post Ywe President Patty Jensen JFK Medical Center Secretary Mard Million sun - Sentinel Treasurer Joel Blumberg Becker 8 Poliakog Parliamentarian Wayne Cunningham WPN - Channel 5 DIRECTORS Pamela Adams Junior League of the Palm Beaches Allan Banacb4h Motorola Jerry Brownlee Palm Beach County Library System Edth C. Bush Retired Educator Carole Cleveland Economic Council of Palm Beach County Juan Cowry Pmlessionel Rehab Groua Card J. Elmgdst Board of County Commissioners Wayne Ezell Boca Raton News Cade Foreman IBM L9sa Gibbons Minority Human Service Provider Dr. Ray Holland Florida Allanlic University Lois Kwasman WFLX -TV29 Nell Lucas Palm Beach County School Board Sheila McBride WPBF - Channel 25 Kenneth Montgomery Private Industry Council Joan -Made Mueller Boca Raton Public Library Dr. David Prather Palm Beach Community College Clauda Red Boca Raton Resod and Club UVes Smith Palm Beech County School Board Lynne Timmer WPEC - Channel 12 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Darlene Kostrub July 16, 1993 Mayor William Koch Town of Gulf Stream 100 Sea Rd. Gulf Stream, FL 33483 Dear Mayor Koch: I am sure you are aware of the problem of illiteracy in the United States. You may know that 70,000 adults right here in Palm Beach County cannot read above an eighth grade reading level. It is preventing their professional advancement and the county's productivity overall. The Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition is a non - profit organization whose mission is to promote adult literacy and provide referral and assistance to those in need. We have been in existence for five years, and in that time have developed a successful public service campaign, started a hotline, initiated a family literacy program and, last year, hired an executive director. Last year, September was Palm Beach County Literacy Awareness Month. This year, we would like to extend September Literacy Month to local municipalities. During September, the Coalition has planned a variety of activities to raise awareness of and funds for literacy programs, including a spelling bee, a family reading night, an extensive public relations campaign and billboard public service advertising. Since Palm Beach County is comprised of your community and others like it, we would ask that you declare September your official literacy month as well. With this, we hope to gain awareness of and support for literacy from your community and for the benefit of your residents. Enclosed is a sample proclamation for your perusal. Please feel free to contact me or Darlene Kostrub, Executive Director of the Coalition (820 - 2556), with any questions. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, e Spillias President 1.0. Box 20809.310 Okeechobee Blvd. • West Palm Beach, FL 33416 -0809 • Phone (407) 820 -2556 • FAX (407) 832 -7947 PROCLAMATION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, DECLARING SEPTEMBER AS LITERACY MONTH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. WHEREAS, an estimated 25 million adult Americans are lacking basic literacy skills and another 35 to 40 million are functionally illiterate with skills below the eighth grade level; and WHEREAS, adult illiteracy costs society an estimated $225 billion a year in lost industrial productivity, unrealized tax revenues, welfare, crime, poverty, and related social ills; and WHEREAS, in Florida one in five adults is functionally illiterate; and in Palm Beach County it is estimated 70,000 adults read at less than an eighth grade level; and WHEREAS, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LITERACY COALITION serves to promote the learning of basic reading, writing, and mathematic skills and to engage in programs to further literacy within our county, and WHEREAS, many businesses will be competing In the coalition's "Great Grown -Up Spelling Bee" on September 18 to raise literacy awareness. WHEREAS, The Literacy Coalition is asking each individual in Palm Beach County to "Celebrate Reading" in September by spending some time each Wednesday with a book; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, assembled in regular session this the day of 19_ that the month of September is hereby proclaimed LITERACY AWARENESS MONTH in Palm Beach County, and this Board urges all citizens interested in acquiring services or Information regarding literacy to contact the Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Proclamation, duly backed and ribboned, and executed by the members of this Board, be presented to Darlene Kostrub, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition.