[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               BABY TALK

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
group of citizens in Decatur, IL, who noticed a serious problem in 
their community, banded together to develop a solution to this problem, 
and then saw this practical solution through with a strong sense of 
commitment and compassion.
  All over this country, communities like Decatur are responding to the 
realization that the experiences of the earliest years of life have a 
powerful influence on how human beings develop. Research indicates that 
young children are developing brain patterns which will affect 
everything they do for the rest of their lives. The way they process 
information, the way they relate to other people, their abilities in 
every domain--these important human functions are being written on the 
minds of children at a time in their lives when basic needs often go 
unmet. We often realize the importance of this time only when it is too 
late to go back and fill in the gaps--when these children fail in 
school or commit a crime or become a burden to society.
  The people of Decatur, IL realized that the most important resource 
every child must have is a loving adult who cares for them, understands 
their needs, and makes that child a priority. How can we encourage 
parents to nurture their own children? How can we take advantage of 
this wonderful window of opportunity for young children by making sure 
they are loved and encouraged to develop?
  My friends in Decatur pondered these very questions in 1986 and the 
result is Baby Talk. Baby Talk is a community collaboration that 
reaches out to all parents of very young children and gives them the 
support that they need. This project is a joint effort of schools, 
hospitals, libraries, health clinics, Head Start, literacy projects, 
and local government. Baby Talk establishes a relationship with every 
family who has a newborn child in order to offer encouragement and 
support for the most important task they will ever undertake--raising a 
child.
  Baby Talk delivers programs where parents and children already are. 
In this way, Baby Talk reaches the entire population of child raising 
families casting a net of support over the community. Every parent of a 
child born in one of Decatur's two hospitals, receives a personal visit 
from Baby Talk to learn about their newborn's abilities and needs. 
Parents receive a book and advice about how to read aloud with their 
child. They also receive a magnet with the Baby Talk telephone number 
to call for assistance.
  Information about predictable challenges and encouragement for 
parents are provided at child clinics and through letters sent to 
families every 2 to 3 months through the child's first 3 years. ``Baby 
Talk Times'' and ``Lapsit'' groups meet weekly at many locations where 
parents and children play, sing, read books, and share their challenges 
and achievements.
  Parents who did not finish high school participate in Baby Talk's 
Even Start program where comprehensive family literacy programming is 
offered at the health department and Head Start.
  Baby Talk makes 4,000 contacts monthly with parents and children of 
different backgrounds and income levels. Fortunately, this service does 
not exist only in Decatur. Professionals from 30 States and Canada have 
received training and materials from the Baby Talk organization to 
serve families in their communities.
  Baby Talk has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for 
meeting Goal One of the America 2000 Strategy: ``That by the year 2000, 
all children will start school ready to learn.''
  Recently, Baby Talk celebrated its 10th anniversary with the 
announcement that it has served the families of 20,000 babies. I would 
specifically like to commend the efforts of Claudia Quigg who was the 
initial pioneer of this effort and currently acts as Baby Talk's 
executive director. Through the efforts of Ms. Quigg and many other 
dedicated Baby Talk staff members, the city of Decatur is investing in 
its future and putting into practice their belief that a stitch in time 
saves nine.
  We are looking forward to the years ahead when thousands of Baby Talk 
children grow up to be caring, successful, and productive citizens. I 
present Baby Talk as an example of what can be accomplished when a 
community pulls together and stays committed to an important goal. I am 
very proud to have this organization performing their good works in my 
State and I hope others can learn from the accomplishments that Baby 
Talk has had in Illinois.

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