BALTIMORE (September 24, 1998) -- As part of the Glendening-Townsend Administration's continuing effort to encourage children to read, Maryland Secretary of the Environment Jane Nishida today read to a group of Rockville second graders and challenged them to read at least 10 books before the end of the school year. Secretary Nishida visited the Fallsmead Elementary School and read a book to approximately 26 students.

"In order to give a child a lifelong love of reading, adults must open a book and read to them...motive them to explore for themselves the world around them," said Secretary Nishida. "This will give them the tools they need to succeed and will benefit Maryland's future generations. I am proud to participate with Governor Glendening, Lieutenant Governor Townsend and my cabinet colleagues in helping invest in the future of our young people."

Secretary Nishida read Where Does the Garbage Go? by Paul Showers which described the waste stream process and activities that young people can participate in to protect the environment.

The ground breaking program, which began last year, challenged children to pick up books and read. Governor Glendening challenged them to read at least 10 books before the end of the school year. More than 300,000 students accepted the challenge and reached the ten book goal. The Governor and his cabinet will read to student's across all of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions.

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