Greetings, fellow writers -- As many of you know, I am a firm believer in supporting literacy in the USA (for obvious, self-serving reasons). So I'm spreading the word here. D. Chester Begin forwarded message: > From: First Book <[log in to unmask]> > Date: March 7, 2008 2:22:15 PM CST > To: "Chester, Deborah A." <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Take action to support RIF and children in need > Reply-To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> > > Dear Deborah, > > Reading is Fundamental (RIF), a national nonprofit literacy > organization and a good friend of First Book, needs your help. The > President’s proposed fiscal year 2009 budget eliminates the RIF > Book Distribution Program. Unless Congress reinstates funding for > this program, RIF will be unable to distribute 16 million books > annually to the nation’s youngest and most at-risk children. > > While RIF is hard at work demonstrating to Congress the importance > of reinstating their program’s funding, they need the help of all > of us who believe in the power of books in the lives of children. > We urge all of the First Book community to reach out to their > members of Congress to request the reinstatement of RIF funding. > Your voice, as a constituent, is the most important resource we > have to make sure that Congress protects this critical program. > > Please act now and help RIF build support for reinstating the > funding by sending an e-mail to your members of Congress. Ask them > to support the reinstatement of RIF’s funding in the coming budget > process. > > We hope you will share this message with family, friends and > colleagues who could also contact members of Congress. Thank you > for your support as First Book and RIF work to bring new books and > resources to the kids who need them most! > > > Sincerely, > >  > > Kyle Zimmer > President > First Book > > > > Please see below to unsubscribe from this mailing (First Book News) > or to unsubscribe from all First Book emails. > > Unsubscribe from this mailing. > > Unsubscribe from all mailings from First Book. > > Modify your profile and subscription preferences. Deborah Chester John Crain Presidential Professor Gaylord College of Journalism & Mass Communication 395 W. Lindsey Street Norman, OK 73019 (405) 325-4192 [log in to unmask]