The 2012 2nd Special Session of the Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on April 11, 2012! Hoping that the Legislature had passed a budget, I tuned into www.twv.org around 7 am on Wednesday. The 1st Special session of 2012 was scheduled to end at midnight on 4/10, and when I went to bed, it wasn't clear what would happen. As you probably know, the Governor declared a 2nd Special Session to start immediately, and so lawmakers continued to work through the night. As I tuned in the final House actions were streaming live, and votes were being held quickly on bills. 

My 14-year-old and 11-year old both joined me to watch the live votes prior to leaving for school, and it was such a cool thing to be able to view together. They both went to Olympia in 4th grade with their classes, but hadn't seen a live vote. Watching Speaker Pro Tempore Representative Jim Moeller rapidly move through parliamentary procedures, despite being 22 hours into this "day," was fascinating. When the last votes were taken, and they received a note from the Senate indicating they were done, they adjourned. They let out a collective cheer. I spontaneously cheered with them, and was surprised to find myself choked up a bit. I'm sure it was part relief; this session is finally over (even though I didn't know the outcome for our funding). But it was also a sense of awe-of the power of democracy, of the institutions that this country has nurtured over time, and of the tremendous hard work that so many put into this marathon of legislative sessions. So many procedural traditions remain constant over time, yet many of the issues this session could never have been imagined in 1889 when Washington became a state.

Never before has it been so clear how vital it is for the public and private sectors to work together on behalf of early learning. The end of session gives us a moment to catch our breath, but the important work with children and families goes on year round. Every day children are being born, and their brains are literally being shaped by their current relationships and circumstances. Children can't wait. We must continue to do better by them. 

The heart of Reach Out and Read's work is supporting doctors and clinics, so that they can support children and families.  We do this so that these little folks can grow up great readers, and future citizens, participating in the political process that can continue to improve our society and our lives. Before today I didn't know the definition of sine die, but I now know this Latin phrase has been in use since 1607, and that we can hear the pronunciation online!  So I will sign off this newsletter sine die-- without a specific date for the next one.  But there will be a next one in May, and we look forward to sharing it with you.

As spring arrives, and the animal world welcomes little ones, and the tulips are blooming, we hope you have time to pause, smile and give thanks for what is good. And as you then role up your sleeves to continue the work ahead, we thank you for your support of the littlest human beings and their families. Their future is ours, and together we can make it sunny. Please read on to learn the outcome of the Session for Reach Out and Read, and to learn how you can help us put more books in the hands of children across the state. 

Reach Out and Read helps prepare children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.  Our evidence-based, proven program leverages the volunteer time of doctors to make literacy a standard part of well-child visits. Reach Out and Read supports parents as their child's first teacher. Through 132 programs in 29 counties, over 800 medical providers serve more than 81,000 children and families.