[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BETHEL EDUCATIONAL CENTER--PREPARING OUR CHILDREN FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, all parents want their children to grow and 
learn in an uplifting and positive environment. In many communities 
local churches have provided a secure and loving place for children, 
particularly for those families who have both parents in the workforce. 
In 1997, the Reverend Harold C. Huggins envisioned and founded a center 
where the children of Saginaw could receive educational challenges and 
a caring environment. Two decades later, the Bethel Educational Center 
in Saginaw, MI, continues to provide high quality educational child 
care services and provide a positive and safe environment for the 
children. This weekend, the Bethel Educational Center is celebrating 
its 20th anniversary, focusing on ``Preparing Our Children for the 21st 
Century.''
  The Bethel Educational Center continues to effectively prepare the 
children of Saginaw for our competitive global economy. The program 
received country-wide attention for their curriculum which consists of 
reading readiness, hands-on computer training, mathematics and science 
activities, dramatic play, creative art, music, Spanish lessons, gross 
and fine motor skills development, and health and nutrition. Full 
daycare is provided for infants and children through 5 years and a 
latchkey program is furnished for those parents with elementary 
schoolchildren.
  The Reverend Huggins organized a series of meetings in 1977 with 
members of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church to discuss 
providing a positive setting and a safe place for parents to leave 
their children. The Bethel Day Care Center was organized and granted a 
license certificate by the State of Michigan Day Care Licensing Agency 
shortly thereafter.
  The members of the church decided that the church pastor would be 
responsible for running the center and a nine-member board would 
oversee the operation. The committee wanted the program to focus on 
child development by providing for intellectual, educational, physical, 
and social needs for preschool age children. Not only does the 
congregation provide moral support and strong Christian beliefs, they 
also provide financial support and other resources for the exceptional 
program.
  Many in the community have played a role in making this program the 
success it is today, including Rev. Clarence G. Robinson, Dillon L. 
Bowman, and P. David Saunders. The first director, Ethel Shaw, left big 
shoes to fill but future directors Iris Sprowl, Carolyn Byas, Pauline 
Lawrence, Jacqueline Eichelberger, Rudein Glass, Erman McKinney, 
Michael Times, and the current director, Natasha Burns, carried on her 
tradition of devoted and progressive leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, the Bethel Educational Center has been a strong 
foundation for the children and the community. I urge you and your 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding contributions to 
the community and congratulating them on 20 years of dedication, 
caring, and success.

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