For his contribution to Read Across America Day, Gene Conti selected a Dr. Seuss story that transportation wonks would call multi-modal.

"Green Eggs and Ham" stars a character called Sam-I-Am and includes references to several kinds of transportation. So that's what Conti, the state transportation secretary, read today to students at Washington GT Magnet Elementary School in downtown Raleigh.

At least in the press release version of the event, Conti inserted his own poetry, with a safety message, into Seuss's verse:

You can eat green eggs and ham on a boat, on a plane, or while riding a train.
But please refrain when you’re driving your car. Safety first – it’s who we are.

The National Education Association sponsors an annual reading day on the birthday of children's author Dr. Seuss, born 106 years ago today (he died in 1991).