Published April 1997 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Give the Gift of Reading
A study released recently by the publishers of Education Week reported that only 26 percent of West Virginia's fourth graders achieved a "proficient" reading score on the 1994 National Assessment of Educational Progress. In the words of Education Week, "74 percent scored below proficient, which means that they will have trouble doing challenging grade-level work." This is an embarrassingly poor showing that should spur a renewed commitment by West Virginians to promote the basics -- in particular, reading -- in our educational system. The week of April 13th through the 19th has been designated National Library Week. During this ~eek, parents are encouraged to promote the importance of reading by taking their children to the local library. Acquainting children with the resources of a library can develop a solid foundation upon which children can build stronger reading skills, and, in turn, explore the universe without ever having to leave their own back yards. While National Library Week is a tremendous opportunity for parents to introduce their children to the library, I urge all parents to make the trip a regular practice for their children. I am an ardent believer in the value of reading as the fundamental tool for enhancing one's education. Throughout my public career, I have read many volumes of literature which have enabled me to continually strengthen my skills as• an orator and as a representative of the people of West Virginia in the U.S. Senate. My personal reading list -- one that I recommend to others -- includes the King James Version of the Holy Bible, Plutarch's Lives, Milton's Paradise Lost, Dante's Divine Comedy Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey, The Federalist Papers, The French Revolution by Thomas Carlyle, Emerson's essays, Shakespeare's thirty-seven plays, and any good dictionary. In addition, I have read and studied various works by Plato, Aristotle, Herodotus, Xenophon, Thucydides, and other histories, ancient and modern. While this is not my complete list of recommended reading, it does highlight a mix of literature, history, and philosophy from throughout the ages that I believe to be important for a well-rounded education. Educators and parents must work together to ensure that their children utilize every possible resource, both inside and outside the classroom, to enhance their educational experience and to prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. Exposure to great works of literature is one of the finest gifts that parents can provide to their children, and a trip to the library in honor of National Library Week is a good place to start. April 9, 1997