(Louisville, KY) Today, the Kentucky Reading Association (KRA) honored Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) with their 2007 Legislator of the Year Award for his work in Congress.

"I am honored to be in the same company as the Kentucky Reading Association, which for years has led the way toward improving education standards for every child in the Commonwealth," Congressman Yarmuth said.

The Kentucky Reading Association is a nonprofit affiliate of the International Reading Association, a professional organization aimed at promoting reading for all. KRA is one of the largest state professional education organizations in Kentucky. Members of KRA are volunteers and represent a dedicated body of educators interested in moving reading/literacy forward in the Commonwealth.

Brenda Overturf, President of the Kentucky Reading Association recently presented Congressman Yarmuth with a stack of letters from educators in the community, thanking him for his commitment and initiative in the area of education, including his efforts to reform No Child Left Behind.  Overturf focused primarily on the Striving Readers legislation, which he introduced earlier this year, saying, "This bill will make a tremendous impact in literacy nationwide, and I am so thankful to be represented by Congressman Yarmuth, who has taken the initiative to make it happen."

The First Lady endorsed the Striving Readers Act as a key way to promote teenage literacy.