188 days to go

"The goals of this country is to enhance prosperity and peace."
     —Speaking at the White House Conference on Global Literacy; New York, NY; September 18, 2006

335 days to go

"We expect the states to show us whether or not we're achieving simple objectives—like literacy, literacy in math, the ability to read and write."
     —On federal education requirements; Washington, D.C.; April 28, 2005

347 days to go

"And if you're interested in the quality of education and you're paying attention to what you hear at Laclede, why don't you volunteer? Why don't you mentor a child how to read?"
     —Pierre Laclede Elementary School; St. Louis, MO; January 5, 2004