We hold this truth to be self-evident that all children have the right to read. If we don't secure this right, too many of our children are likely to lead lives of quiet, or not so quiet, despair.

To secure this right, every adult has a role to play. As people who teach and work with America 's children, we will craft our lessons and our work carefully even as our student populations change and grow. As parents, we will show our children the magic of learning. As members of the American education family, we will care for each other's children as our own.

As we look to the future, we pause to dream together. We dream of a day when all children know their ABC's before they come to school. We dream of a day when all third graders are reading to learn rather than learning to read. We dream of a day when every American teenager knows the joy of being swept away by the powerful prose of a good book. We dream of a day of great public schools and great public school libraries for every child.

And so, we the people who teach and work with America's children, do solemnly swear that we will not rest until our children are the best readers in the world. As a first step toward this goal, we hereby commit to celebrate reading on March 3rd, NEA's Read Across America Day, and to build a nation of readers throughout the year.

The Grand Island Education Association invites you to join us in celebrating Read Across America Day. Remember...

You're never too busy, too cool, or too hot, to pick up a book and share what you've got!

Katie Ramsey (and members of the Grand Island Education Association)

813 Sunset Avenue

Ron Paul should be GOP choice

Ron Paul is a true conservative running for president. I support him because of his strong platform.

He is a medical doctor who served in the military, and has served in congress in the 1970s. He is the only presidential candidate that supported Ronald Reagan from the beginning of his campaign.

He is the only candidate that will adopt a non-intervenionalist foreign policy. On the economy, Ron Paul is a student of Mises and Austrian economics, and he is a strong supporter of cutting spending and taxes. He proposed letters of marque and reprisal in order to effectively combat terrorism, and proposed that congress actually declare war on Iraq so it would be constitutional.

One big issue in Nebraska is illegal immigration, and Ron Paul is the only candidate who wants to remove economic incentives for illegal immigration. He supports state rights on issues that are best handled at the local level, such as education and other social services. I am proud to support a candidate with a strong platform on every issue, and I will support Ron Paul all the way to the Republican National Convention. Isn't it about time that we started supporting candidates for their ideas?

Incidentally, Monday is the last day to register as a Republican if you are seeking to support Ron Paul.

Chris Duff

Omaha