Recognizing the commitment and efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the joy of reading through the sponsorship of the National Book Festival.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to praise the dedicated commitment of the Library of Congress to the promotion of reading through its sponsorship of the National Book Festival. I warmly commend Representative Daniel Lungren for taking the initiative to introduce H. Res. 1646.

The National Book Festival occurred on September 25, 2010, in Washington, DC. President Obama and Michelle Obama served as honorary chairs for the important event. Nearly one million people over the past decade have attended. This year, approximately 150,000 bibliophiles gathered together to meet the 70 best-selling authors in attendance.

I am proud that the New York State Library, New York Council for the Humanities and the Empire State Center for the Book partnered together to display New York's rich literary heritage in the Pavilion of the States at the National Book Festival. New York author, Rebecca Stead, also autographed copies of her 2010 Newbery Award-winning book, When You Reach Me. New York's involvement at the mall demonstrated a common commitment with the Library of Congress in encouraging the population to read.

Fostering the joy of reading is a valuable goal. Living in the digital age does not mean we have forgotten the pleasure of reading the printed text. Reading broadens our minds to new possibilities, new worlds, new people and new ideas. The future is based on our ability to read, digest information and pioneer innovative ideas. Formal education in the classroom should be supplemented by self-education.

Urging more people to read also improves our literacy rate. A literate population is necessary to guarantee greater educational opportunities, foster life-long learning, jobs, and underpins our democracy because elected officials depend on an informed citizenry to make decisions.

I admire and am thankful of the efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the wonder of words.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the actions of the House of Representatives in recognizing the commitment and efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the joy of reading through the National Book Festival. I support the Library of Congress in its efforts to promote and foster the joy of reading.

On September 25, 2010, the Library of Congress held its tenth National Book Festival on the National Mall. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama served as the honorary chairs for this event. The National Book Festival invites readers from around the nation to celebrate books, reading, and creativity. It gives attendees from across the country the opportunity to visit with more than 70 award- winning authors who will talk' about and sign their books. Over the past ten years, the National Book Festival has grown in popularity. Last year, it brought more than 130,000 book lovers, including those from my home state of Georgia, to the National Mall.

As the resolution states, the National Book Festival is a national treasure that fosters the joy of reading. Even in this modern digital age, reading has a host of benefits. Reading develops our creativity, broadens our interests, and introduces us to new things and different parts of the world. I am proud that Georgia was represented at the National Book Festival, along with all 50 states and the District of Columbia, at the Pavilion of the States where representatives were able to discuss and distribute materials about Georgia's reading and literacy programs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

Mr. Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1646. I was privileged to be the main sponsor of this, but this is one of those unique bills where every single member of the committee, Democrat and Republican, sponsored it. That is not unusual in the sense that the goal of this bill is to celebrate one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children; that is, the gift of reading.

The first Library of Congress National Book Festival was held on September 8, 2001, so this year it celebrates its 10th anniversary with another highly attended, all-day event and remarkable panoply of authors. The National Book Festival has only grown in popularity over this last decade, and this year's estimate is that over 150,000 individuals attended the 2010 festival this past Saturday.

The festival highlights and demonstrates the importance of literacy, creativity, and imagination in our schools, our young people, and throughout our society. The festival vividly brings to life the richness of books and fosters a lifelong love of reading.

So we congratulate the Library of Congress for its achievements in hosting the festival and wish them continued success. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1646) recognizing the commitment and efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the joy of reading through the sponsorship of the National Book Festival.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks in the Record and to include extraneous matter.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Today, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the National Book Festival. The Library of Congress' commitment to the spread of knowledge is well-known and so is their unbridled joy of books and reading.

I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this resolution, along with all the members of the Committee on House Administration, and would like to congratulate the Library of Congress on another highly successful National Book Festival and laud their continued efforts to spread the joy and wonder of reading.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to join with my colleague in recognizing the successful annual book festival. It did set a new attendance record, and we're delighted and we look forward to next year.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.