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Mayor McDermott 'nose' importance of books

EDUCATION: Group kicks off Time Out for Reading on Sept. 8

BY SHARON PORTA — Times Correspondent
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Thursday, September 1, 2005

Photo: CHRISTOPHER SMITH | THE TIMES U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., speaks at the Time Out For Reading kickoff breakfast on Wednesday at the Hammond Public Library.

HAMMOND | From Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. — who reads historical novels — to Hammond School Superintendent Walter Watkins — who plows through education legislation — dozens were present at Wednesday's kickoff event for the third annual Time Out for Reading Day.

During Time Out for Reading on Sept. 8, teachers, students, parents, business leaders, government personnel and others are urged to stop whatever they are doing at 10 a.m. and read for 15 minutes to demonstrate a commitment to literacy.

"Nothing is more essential to the success of young people than learning how to read," Watkins said. "Young people need to understand that reading is essential to whatever they choose to do in life. Parents also need to understand the role they play in encouraging their child to read."

Since its start three years ago, the event has outgrown Hammond and now will be observed in three counties in Northwest Indiana, according to Steve Watson, president of both Hammond Reads and the Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition, sponsors of Time Out for Reading.

Speakers at the kickoff discussed the importance of reading with regard to other learning, the better scores good readers achieve on standardized tests, and how literacy skills are more complex in today's digital society. As in years past, dozens of red noses were distributed to urge others to "put your nose in a book."

Rita Mazza, professional storyteller, talked about growing up in Pineville, N.C. "I never saw a building taller than two stories until I went to college," she said. "But I could read about them. I don't know what legacy you leave your children, your home, jewelry, or money. But your children will always have your stories."

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., was honored for his efforts in opposing proposed legislation, which would cut funding for adult education.

"My two sons are now 18 and 15, but reading to them every day gave me the greatest joy in my life," Visclosky said. "I took my 18-year-old to college two weeks ago, and I never missed him more than the first time I walked passed Barnes & Noble without him. That was our place."

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