MONTGOMERY – Representative Earl Hilliard, Jr. (D-Birmingham) visited Birmingham’s Council Elementary School to read to the 2^nd grade class Friday, Feb. 5th.

“Literacy continues to be an issue in Alabama, and there are many adults in our state who are functionally illiterate.  If we want our children to be able to get and keep good paying jobs, they have to be able to read.  That’s why it’s important to encourage reading at a young age,” said Hilliard.

“I am excited about this opportunity to read to the kids at Council Elementary. As a parent of two children, I consider this a privilege and an honor to share some one-on-time with our youth,” said Hilliard.

“The main purpose of inviting Representative Hilliard to our school is to let our kids see positive, black men on the move being a beacon of hope to our community.  Representative Hilliard has donated funds to a girl scouts program at our school called Sisterbration. The purpose of this program is to bring AIDS awareness to our community and to give the girls something positive to do,” said Shawna McGriff, 2^nd grade teacher at Council Elementary.

Representative Hilliard read to the 2^nd graders, Friday February 5, 2010, at 1:30 pm. The school is located at 1400 Avenue M in Birmingham.

Hilliard and his wife Janine are the proud parents of two children, Earl III and Nya Nicole. He was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2006.

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