ROR Federal Funding: Appropriations and Authorization   Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) visited the Martin Luther King Clinica Campesina in Homestead, FL on August 6, 2007.      Federal Funding Updates Reach Out and Read's federal funding is used to provide books to local ROR programs like yours. We have had a busy year working on two federal funding efforts and we need your help! The ROR National Center is currently working on two federal funding efforts: FY08 appropriations (which will fund ROR's FY09 beginning next July 1) and PABA (The Prescribe a Book Act, S. 1895), which would fund ROR beginning in ROR FY10. Thank you We asked our ROR programs to help us in two specific campaigns this summer and early fall, and we are happy to report they were both very successful: 36 Members of Congress visited a ROR program during the August congressional recess and early fall. 38 Senators joined their colleague, Senator Jack Reed (Rhode Island), in cosponsoring the Prescribe a Book Act. Thank you to all ROR coordinators and doctors that participated in these campaigns. Your assistance is fundamental to our ongoing efforts to advocate for federal funding in support of ROR programs around the country. Status of Our Efforts The Congress is currently working on Federal FY08 appropriations (ROR FY09), and we hope to hear by January what level of funding will be appropriated to ROR for next year. The Senate began work on the "No Child Left Behind" reauthorization in September. This reauthorization effort includes the Prescribe a Book Act and will continue into the next Congressional Session in January. Please Help ROR's federal funding is used to provide books to local ROR programs like yours, and we ask that you help us secure the federal funding that is so essential to our ability to support you! Between now and January, we encourage you to continue to cultivate your relationships with Members of Congress before they begin their work in late January. Your U.S. Representative will be in your district during the holidays - a perfect opportunity to issue an invitation to visit your ROR program. This is the best way to show a Member of Congress, firsthand, exactly what ROR is and how it works in your health center or hospital. For more information on hosting one of your U.S. legislators at your ROR program, check out the Legislative Action section of myror.org, or drop us an email at legislativeaction@reachoutandread.org or call Abbie at 617-455-0642. Return