[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 111 (Thursday, July 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NEIGHORS WORKING FOR QUALITY CHILD CARE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JON D. FOX

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 1996

  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 300 
citizens of Montgomery County, PA., who, on Saturday, June 8, raised an 
estimated $10,000 during the Walk for Quality Child Care at the 
Montgomery County Community College campus.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, more than 4\1/2\ million children under the 
age of 5 are cared for during the day by someone other than their 
relatives. This is not an inexpensive circumstance.
  The men, women, and children who gathered on June 8 recognize this. 
They know that without adequate funding for child care, their 
children's safety and well-being are jeopardized.
  Many of the best child care centers cannot care for infants because 
of the expense. The budgets of most centers are exhausted on 
maintaining staff, leaving nothing in the way of activities for the 
children. The money raised during the Walk for Quality Child Care will 
be used to buy tricycles and a parachute for the children of Hatfield.
  There can be no downsizing in child care. Regulations abound for 
child care providers; regulations which cost money to those who earn 
their livelihood by caring for their neighbors' children. Most spend 
more than 10 hours per day with children other than their own.
  In a day where family budgets are squeezed by big taxes and big 
government, the citizens who put children first on June 8, some of whom 
pay in excess of $1,000 per month in child care, combined their voices 
to say, ``We will not let our children be the victims of economic 
pressure.'' I'm sure you join me, Mr. Speaker, in applauding these 
caring people for their efforts to make sure their children have the 
same opportunities for happiness that our generations have enjoyed.

                          ____________________