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On Tuesday, June 2nd more than 250 Brent Elementary School students and their mentors filled a room the U.S Senate Russell building to celebrate the end of another successful year in the Power Lunch Program. During the 2008-2009 school year the reading pairs read a combined total of 2267 books! The Brent Glee Club kicked-off the event with a performance of “This little light of mine” and enthusiasm was in the air as Senator Tom Harkin and Senator Richard Burr, each with help from a student, competed in reading aloud "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." Who won you may ask? It was a tie of course. 
Valencia Merideth & Senator Burr Senator Harkin & Jevon Carter Various Everybody Wins! DC partners were also on hand to help celebrate including CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s Vice President for Public Policy, David Grosso, who spoke about the Healthy Month Initiative that took place in May. In addition, Vice Chairman and CFO of Sallie Mae, Jack Remondi, announced the “Reading Is Presidential” campaign in which Sallie Mae, Building Hope and Reading Is Fundamental will direct 44,000 new books to public schools in the nation’s capital. To keep the congressional competition going an award was given to the Congressional Office with the most number of mentors participating in Power Lunch. Senator Harkin’s office was the winner with over 15 mentors and Senator Webb’s office coming in at a close second place. Finally, School Coordinators honored the graduating 5th grade class students and then students were able to visit their mentor’s office.
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