HR 319: Reach Out and Read Day at the state capitol; February 19, 2025; recognize the power of reading to young children every day; recognize

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a ceremonial statement from the House of Representatives honoring Reach Out and Read Georgia, a program that trains pediatricians and medical staff to give books to children and encourage parents to read aloud during wellness checkups from birth through age five. The resolution cites the program's reach, including service to over 194,000 children and families across 81 counties and distribution of hundreds of thousands of books each year, and notes research suggesting children in the program show a developmental edge entering kindergarten. It commends the program's efforts, encourages Georgia families to read together daily, and designates February 19, 2025 as Reach Out and Read Day at the state capitol. It also directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to Reach Out and Read Georgia.

• Declares February 19, 2025 as Reach Out and Read Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Commends Reach Out and Read Georgia for integrating book distribution into pediatric care visits.
• Encourages Georgia families to read aloud together every day.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to Reach Out and Read Georgia.

The resolution primarily recognizes Reach Out and Read Georgia, its network of pediatricians and medical providers, and the families and young children who take part in the program at hospitals, clinics, and pediatric practices across the state.

While the resolution creates no new funding, requirement, or legal change, it gives formal legislative recognition to a pediatric literacy program, which can raise public awareness of early reading and the program's work with families and medical providers across Georgia.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the program's scope, including 194,258 children and families served in 81 counties and over 2.7 million books distributed since its 2012 Georgia launch.
• The operative resolving clause commends Reach Out and Read, encourages daily family reading, and designates February 19, 2025 as Reach Out and Read Day at the capitol.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to Reach Out and Read Georgia.

1. 2025-02-19House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-19House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-19House Hopper (House)

• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)Primary sponsor
• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-029)
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Rhonda Burnough (D, HD-077)

• early literacy
• pediatric health
• children's books
• state capitol recognition