HR1059: HR1059 Reach Out and Read Day at the state capitol; recognize

This resolution honors Reach Out and Read, a program that partners with pediatric clinicians to give families new, age-appropriate books during well-child visits from birth to age 5, encouraging parents to read aloud with their children. The resolution cites program statistics, including that over the past year 422,372 well-child checkups were conducted across 92 Georgia counties, 307,408 new children's books were distributed across 222 children's hospitals and pediatric practices, and more than 3,248,426 books have been given to Georgia children since the program began in 1996. The House commends the program's efforts to build early literacy into pediatric care and encourages Georgia families to read aloud together daily. It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to Reach Out and Read Georgia. The resolution creates no new law, funding, or requirement.

• Formally commends Reach Out and Read for integrating children's books into pediatric care visits in Georgia.
• 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.
• Recites program statistics about well-child visits, book distribution, and county participation without creating any legal requirement.

The resolution names Reach Out and Read Georgia, pediatric clinicians and home visitors who take part in the program, and Georgia families with young children who receive books during well-child visits.

The resolution has no legal or funding effect; it is a symbolic recognition. Its practical significance is publicity and formal acknowledgment for a literacy and pediatric care program that Georgia families and health providers already participate in.

• The whereas clauses describe the Reach Out and Read model of distributing books during pediatric well-child visits from birth to age 5.
• The whereas clauses cite that 422,372 well-child checkups occurred across 92 Georgia counties in the past 12 months, with 307,408 books distributed.
• The resolving clause has the House commend Reach Out and Read and encourage daily family reading.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to Reach Out and Read Georgia.

1. 2026-01-27House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-01-27House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-27House Hopper (House)

• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-029)Primary sponsor
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)

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