FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE CONTACT:
Secretary Marlene Helm
June 17, 2003
502-564-0372 or Chris Kellogg,
502-564-2611
FRANKFORT, Ky. --
Governor Paul Patton was the recipient of the first individual Commonwealth
Advocate and Star Supporter or “Class” award today at the Governor’s
Literacy Summit held in Shepherdsville. Patton
was credited for his staunch support of literacy efforts and his work toward
helping Kentucky receive federal funds.
Approximately 300
literacy advocates gathered in Shepherdsville Tuesday for the daylong summit
titled “Literacy by the Numbers.”
Participants included community and state agencies and organizations that
work to increase literacy across Kentucky. Since the first summit was held in 2000, literacy
programs are now operating in all 120 of Kentucky counties.
Marlene Helm,
secretary of the Education, Arts and Humanities Cabinet, said Patton has been an
unabashed advocate for education and literacy during his administration. “The
Governor has worked tirelessly in his quest to set Kentucky on the path to
economic opportunity and a high quality of life for all Kentuckians,” Helm
said. “Due to Governor Patton’s understanding that literacy is essential for
the economic success of Kentucky and for improving the quality of life for our
citizens, we’ve gained considerable momentum over the past several years.”
Verizon Corporation
received the first award for an organization for the communications company’s
commitment of resources to literacy programs nationwide, including donations of
more than $16.5 million. Verizon is
one of the largest providers of communications services in the U.S.
Since 1997 Verizon
has incorporated what Helm termed “innovative and pacesetting” initiatives
in Kentucky. Their “Check Into
Literacy” program, funded through customer donations, has generated more than
$50,000 towards the Kentucky Institute for Family Literacy. The company recently partnered with literacy organizations to
create the Verizon Literacy University, an on-line training center for
volunteers and professionals working in the literacy field.
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