Resolution 090059

..Title Honoring the African American Children's Book Project on the occasion of the Annual African American Children's Book Fair. ..Body WHEREAS, The African American Children's Book Fair, is one of the largest and oldest in the nation and has enhanced multiculturalism in our City utilizing the joy of reading as a tool; and WHEREAS, The importance of book fairs can not be understated for many of our youth use reading to better know the world around them and use books to help them develop into well educated adults; and WHEREAS, One of the most important reasons to encourage reading in our children is that studies show that the more our youth read the more likely they are to make positive lifestyle decisions as they grow older; and WHEREAS, Strictly judging by attendance, the event is a tremendous success as well over 4,500 people attended the Fair in 2008; and WHEREAS, Rich or poor, no one leaves empty handed as posters, bookmarkers and raffle books are distributed free of charge to attendees; and WHEREAS, The books themselves are priced at a level where they are more affordable than in many of the bookstores in the region; and WHEREAS, Many of the authors and illustrators will be in attendance as well as local celebrities to further enhance the excitement and vibrancy that the book fair exudes; and WHEREAS, One of the esteemed individuals in attendance will be New York Times best selling author Omar Tyree, a Philadelphia native, tireless creator of various creations who has become one of the world's most recognized authors, promoters and entrepreneurs, he was the recipient in 2001 of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature in Fiction and in 2006 he earned the Phyllis Wheatley Literary Award for Body of Work in Urban Fiction; and WHEREAS, Tyree's work extends now as a passionate speaker on various community-related and intellectual topics that can be realized through his non-profit organization; The Urban Literacy Project an agency to promote literacy skills among disadvantaged youth and adults, and through his first book for children and young readers"12 Brown Boys"; and WHEREAS, The 17th Annual African American Book Fair will be held free of charge on Saturday February 7th from one to three pm at the gymnasium of the Community College of Philadelphia located at 17th & Spring Garden Streets; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the African American Children's Book Project on the occasion of the Annual African American Children's Book Fair. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the founder of the African American Children's Book Project; Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati, and Omar Tyree for his hard work and effort in the promotion of children's literacy, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End