CHICAGO (WBBM) -

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White founded the tumblers in 1959, as a way of keeping kids off the streets and out of trouble. But, why did he choose gymnastics? White says he was trained as a gymnast as a child.

White would later become a paratrooper in the military…and a minor league baseball player in the Cubs organization. But he wanted to work with kids.

He says he came back to Chicago to teach part-time and to coach.

The Chicago Park District had asked him to mount a gymnastics demonstration. That–he says–was the start of the team, but did not think it would last 50 years.

He thought that first night would be the last, but the parents of the kids would not hear of it, White says.

He has now worked with more than 11,000 young people over that half Century.

More information at jessewhitetumblingteam.com

Craig Dellimore, Political Editor, reporting

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Jesse White Tumblers turn 50 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“This special event is a night when parents and children are encouraged to turn off the television, computers, video games and other forms of entertainment and spend time reading together,” White said.

“Studies have shown that reading together makes families stronger, creates a positive learning environment, and helps children develop a love for reading that can last a lifetime.”

This year’s Family Reading Night posters and bookmarks celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, and feature a famous portrait from 1864 of Lincoln reading to his son Tad.

Thousands of the posters and bookmarks have been distributed by the Illinois State Library and Illinois Center for the Book to libraries, schools, literacy programs and others to promote Family Reading Night.

This is the 18th year in which the Secretary of State’s office has sponsored Family Reading Night. The target audience is pre-kindergarten to 6th grade children and their families.

White identified a few of the ways participants throughout Illinois are taking part in Family Reading Night this year:

• At Fremont Public Library in Mundelein, a “Family Reading Club” allows families to pick up a Family Reading Club bag that includes 5 books on particular theme, a packet of microwave popcorn, a bookmark, and a coupon from a local restaurant.
• Rochester Elementary School and Rochester Public Library will welcome the Madcap Puppet Theater to perform “Tales of the Silk Road” based on Marco Polo. Before the performance, library classes will have learned about Marco Polo.
• Prospect Heights Public Library District provides families with Family Reading Kits which include books, stickers, bookmarks, a family craft, coloring and activity sheets, hot chocolate and popcorn. On Family Reading Night schools in the Library’s district will be open for special family reading activities.
• Carthage Public Library plans an Illinois A.B.E. (All Birthday Extravaganza) to mark Lincoln’s birthday and birthdays everywhere. Festivities will include librarians reading books and a reading area where families may read together. The library will provide a birthday cake and refreshments.
• The Bloomington-Normal Family Literacy Program plans an event based on the book “Five Little MonkeysJumping on the Bed”. Families will come to the center in their pajamas and bring a quilt or a blanket. There will be a family meal and stories by a local children’s librarian.
• Herrin City Library, together with John A Logan College Literacy Program, have invited Lincoln impersonator Earl Webb to address families. Families will read Louise Borden’s “A. Lincoln and Me.” Parents and children will make stovepipe hats and Lincoln penny medals, enjoy puzzles and word games and receive free books to take home.

Illinois Secretary of State Announces Family Reading Night Set For Nov. 19 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“While I am pleased with the response we have received thus far from the public, I encourage all Illinois residents who have not already done so to sign up,” said White.

“The Emergency Contact Database offers some added peace of mind that loved ones will be promptly contacted should one of their family members or friends suffer an injury that renders them unable to communicate to first responders.

My office will continue partnering with the law enforcement community, libraries and other organizations to help get the word out about enrolling in this important program.”

White’s office initiated the legislation (Public Act 95-0898) establishing the Emergency Contact Database to allow the public to voluntarily enter their emergency contact information through the Secretary of State’s Web site at cyberdriveillinois.com.

This information is then made available electronically to law enforcement statewide through LEADS (Law Enforcement Agencies Data System).

The voluntary database allows Illinois residents to enter information at cyberdriveillinois.com for up to two family members or friends, including addresses and phone numbers should it be necessary for law enforcement to reach them in case of an emergency.

All Illinois residents possessing an Illinois driver’s license, instruction permit or identification card qualify for the voluntary program. Residents may list anyone in the United States as emergency contacts.

Only law enforcement will be able to access the emergency contact information once it has been entered into the database.

White has launched additional outreach efforts aimed at motorcycle riders, the trucking industry and senior drivers by working with groups such as ABATE of Illinois, AARP and the Illinois Trucking Association.

White’s office continues to partner with members of the driver education community to educate teachers and parents of young drivers about the importance of registering their information.

Illinois is just the third state to establish an emergency contact database, joining Florida and Ohio. The legislation was sponsored by State Representative John D’Amico (D-Chicago) and State Senator Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forrest).

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White Announces Emergency Contact Database Surpasses 100,000 Participants | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The Illinois Library and Information Science Training Grant Program, administered by the Illinois State Library, provides grants each year to college graduates who possess exceptional academic achievement and an interest in becoming librarians.

More than 500 students have received the grant since the program was implemented. The fifteen scholarships may be used for either full or part-time studies at an American Library Association-accredited graduate library school.

“The state of Illinois is a national leader in developing libraries and librarians, and this grant program provides outstanding graduate students with some of the financial resources they need to obtain their Masters degree,” said White. “I am proud to congratulate these talented future librarians.”

Grant recipients are required to work the equivalent of two full years in service to the Illinois library community within the first three years following graduation.

As a result, these grants benefit both the student recipients and the state’s library community.

Twelve of the recipients will pursue their Masters degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign Graduate School of Library and Information Science.

They are:

• Daylily C. Alvarez of Chicago
• Chelsea Anne Baker of Springfield
• Allison Ann Cabaj of Western Springs
• Eric Edward Colclasure of Kempton
• Elizabeth Teresa Delzell of Crystal Lake
• Isabel Luisa Gonzalez of Chicago
• Kimberly Marie Gotches of Lombard
• Benjamin Joseph Lafferty of Chicago
• Devin A. Savage of Evanston
• Brian Tober of Chatham
• Esther Bates Verreau of Chicago
• Clare Gaynor Willis of Chicago

Two students will obtain their degrees at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University in River Forest.

They are:

• Brittney Laine Hennigan of Park Ridge
• Julie A. Wroblewski of Chicago

One student will obtain her degree from Syracuse University.

She is:

• Sarah Kristine McVicar of Chicago

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White Awards Library Training Grants | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.