Last month, President Bush submitted a proposed budget for fiscal year 2009, which eliminated funding for Reading Is Fundamental's book distribution program. Through the program, the organization distributed 16 million free books to 4.6 million children across the country last year. More than 30,000 messages have since been sent to Congress urging the reinstatement of a budget of $26 million for the organization's distribution program. To date 19 senators and 67 state representatives have signed a Dear Colleague letter in support of the organization. RIF is also in contact with local coordinators who are working to spread awareness, particularly in districts where representatives have not yet signed their support. In July, the winners of RIF's 2008 Program Excellence Honors will visit their Congressional members on Capitol Hill to speak to the effects of the program's elimination. Additional information is available at the RIF Web site. Congress will finalize RIF's budget this September. —John Sellers, Publisher's Weekly