Senators Jason Esteves and Billy Hickman Celebrate Georgia Reads Day

ATLANTA (October 1, 2024) - Yesterday, members of the Georgia Council on Literacy, Senators Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) and Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) celebrated Georgia Reads Day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.

The event, organized by the Georgia Council on Literacy in partnership with the Share the Magic Foundation, aimed to foster a love of reading among young Georgians and highlight the importance of literacy education. Georgia Reads Coach Malcolm Mitchell, former University of Georgia football star, Super Bowl champion and founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, led the rally for 300 Atlanta elementary school students, engaging them in reading activities and sharing the magic of books.

Sen. Esteves shared, "Our educators and administrators play a crucial role in improving literacy rates, working tirelessly to learn and implement the science of reading so that every child in Georgia can succeed. With over half of our state's third graders struggling to read on grade level, this is a systemic issue that impacts families statewide. The Georgia Council on Literacy's work is vital in providing educators with early interventions, resources, and support. This year marks a historic step as all schools across Georgia will implement the science of reading. It's a team effort, and together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to read and thrive."

Sen. Hickman, the sponsor of legislation to establish the Georgia Council on Literacy shared his thoughts on the event, stating, "Seeing the excitement in the eyes of these students as they engage with reading is exactly why we established the Georgia Council on Literacy. Literacy is the foundation for success, and initiatives like Georgia Reads Day help ensure that every child in Georgia has the opportunity to unlock their full potential through the power of reading. Literacy does not just impact our students in the classroom. When literacy rates increase, high school dropout rates decrease, sex trafficking cases decline and economic prosperity rises. Literacy touches every person's life in more ways than we can imagine. I am incredibly grateful to the Georgia Council on Literacy, the Share the Magic Foundation, Malcolm Mitchell, and every educator and administrator across the state for prioritizing our children and the future of the Peach State."

The Georgia Council on Literacy is dedicated to addressing literacy challenges across the state and developing strategies to improve reading outcomes for Georgia's students. For more information on the council, click here.

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Sen. Jason Esteves represents the 6th Senate District, including portions of Cobb and Fulton County. He may be reached by phone at 404.463.1562 or via email at [email protected]

Sen. Billy Hickman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education. He represents the 4th Senate District, including Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, and a small portion of Chatham County. He may be reached at 404.463.1371 or via email at [email protected]

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