Whereas there are 20,000,000 children under the age of 5
in the United States;
Whereas numerous studies show that high-quality early
childhood education programs improve the likelihood that children will have
success in school and in life by improving their cognitive, social, emotional,
and physical development;
Whereas many children eligible for, and in need of,
high-quality child care, Early Head Start, Head Start, and other early
childhood education programs are not served by such programs;
Whereas child care assistance and other early childhood
education programs enable parents to work, go to school, and support their
families;
Whereas the individuals who work with young children
deserve the respect of the people of the United States, professional support,
and fair compensation to reflect the important value of their work;
Whereas economist and Nobel Laureate James Heckman has
stated that investment in childhood education reaps economic returns due to
outcomes such as lower special education placements, lower juvenile delinquency
rates, and greater school graduation rates; and
Whereas the National Association for the Education of
Young Children established the Week of the Young Child
to bring
attention to the developmental and learning needs of young children: Now,
therefore, be it
That the Senate—
(1)designates the
week of April 22 through 28, 2012, as the Week of the Young
Child;
(2)encourages the
people of the United States to celebrate—
(A)young children
and families; and
(B)the individuals
who provide high-quality care and early childhood education to the young
children of the United States; and
(3)urges the people
of the United States to recognize the importance of—
(A)high-quality,
comprehensive early childhood education programs; and
(B)the value of
those programs for preparing children to—
(i)experience
positive development and education; and
(ii)enjoy lifelong
success.