Garth Brooks will serve as chairman for the Washington, D.C.-based National Education Association’s annual “Read Across America” initiative, which culminates each year on March 2, birthday of the late Theodor Geisel, better known as children’s author Dr. Seuss. Brooks will appear in public service announcements and act as official spokesman for the cause. "With Garth Brooks at the helm of the 2002 celebration, we expect more participants than ever," says NEA President Bob Chase. "To have an entertainer at the peak of his career willing to take the time and make the effort to tell young people how important reading and books are to their futures sends a powerful signal." Brooks says reading to his three children at night is the highlight of his day. For 10 years he also has dropped in regularly on Nashville teacher Judy Cummings to read to her first-grade students. Brooks hasn't decided how he will participate in the March 2, 2002, celebration. He promises to be "reading with kids -- either in Tennessee with Judy's class or maybe we'll bring the kids to Washington and we'll read there." 06/04/01