CHICAGO, IL—Today, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), hosted a reception celebrating the success of the second annual “Rahm’s Readers” program at the Chicago Academy. At the ceremony, Emanuel distributed certificates of achievement to each third grade student who completed the program.

“This year, over 700 students participated in the ‘Rahm’s Readers’ program,” said Emanuel. “This ceremony is a celebration of their efforts but it is also a testimony to the parents who spent hours helping our children discover the wonderful world of reading.”

Emanuel started the “Rahm’s Readers” program in 2003 to increase interest and excitement for reading and encourage parent involvement in their children’s education. All third graders who live in, or attend public and private schools in the 5th Congressional District were invited to read a minimum of ten books and record them in a book log with their family members over a two month period. This year, thirty-five schools joined the program and the children read over seven thousand books.

“Rahm’s Readers” were also invited to participate in a bookmark decorating contest. The winner of this year’s contest was Claudia Richman of St. Robert Bellarmine. Each student will receive a bookmark with Richman’s design at the ceremony.

The following schools participated in the “Rahm’s Readers” program this year:

Hannah G. Solomon

Queen of All Saints

Minnie Mars Jamieson

Lyman A. Budlong

Mary G. Peterson

William J. Onahan

Jean Baptiste Beaubien

James B. Farnsworth

Elmwood School

Jonathan Y. Scammon

Arthur E. Canty

Chicago Academy

William E. Dever

Louisa May Alcott

Laughlin Falconer

Hiram H. Belding

James G. Blaine Elementary

John V. Lemoyne Elementary

Queen of Angels

Alexander Graham Bell

Augustus H. Burley

Cardinal Bernadin

John C. Coonley

John W. Garvy

Josephine C. Locke

Louis Nettelhorst

Portage Park

Ravenswood

Harriet E. Sayre Language Academy

St. Andrew

St. Beatrice

St. Matthias

St. Robert Bellarmine

St. Tarcissus

James B. McPherson Elementary