III 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 137 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 12, 2005 Mr. Corzine (for himself, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kennedy, and Mrs. Boxer) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating May 1, 2005, as National Child Care Worthy Wage Day.

Whereas approximately 14,000,000 children are in out-of-home care during part or all of the day so that their parents may work; Whereas the turnover rate of early-childhood educators is approximately 30 percent per year because low wages and a lack of benefits make it difficult to retain high-quality educators; Whereas research has demonstrated that young children require caring relationships and a consistent presence in their lives for their positive development; Whereas the compensation of early-childhood educators should be commensurate with the important job of helping the young children of the United States develop the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual skills they need to be ready for school; Whereas resources may be reallocated to improve the compensation of early-childhood educators to ensure that quality care and education are accessible for all families; and Whereas the Center for the Child Care Workforce and other early childhood education organizations recognize May 1st as National Child Care Worthy Wage Day: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates May 1, 2005, as National Child Care Worthy Wage Day; and (2)calls on the people of the United States to observe National Child Care Worthy Wage Day by— (A)honoring early-childhood educators and programs in their communities; and (B)working together to resolve the early-childhood educator compensation crisis.