[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E169-E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DAYCARE FAIRNESS FOR STAY-AT-HOME PARENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, as one of just a handful of mothers in the 
105th Congress with young children, I know how difficult it is to find 
quality, affordable child care. That is why this resolution is 
particularly important to me. We must be supportive of parents who have 
the ability to stay home with their children and can afford to forgo a 
second income. However, the majority of American families with working 
parents rely on child care to help them care for their children.
  Quality child care is critical for many families in this country. I 
am concerned that this resolution (H. Con. Res. 202) misrepresents how 
many children of preschool age have mothers in the labor force who rely 
on someone else to help them care for their children. The resolution 
includes statements which suggests that child care is not an issue for 
most American families. As families struggle to make ends meet, the 
reality is more parents are working full time, part time or looking for 
work than ever before. As a result, 60% of preschool aged children have 
mothers in the work force. The correct statistics demonstrate that 
quality, safe and affordable child care is vital for most American 
families. Even parents who forego an extra income often rely on child 
care, like parents day out programs, to help them. In 1996, 78% of all 
four year old were in non-parental care at least some part of the week.
  Congressional legislation must address the needs of both working and 
stay at home parents to provide them with quality, safe and affordable 
child care regardless of their economic situation. A family where both 
parents work should not have to compromise its children's well-being 
due to poor child care choices. The ultimate goal of this Congress 
should be helping families, whatever their situation, provide the best 
possible care for their children. We need to support ALL parents in 
their child care choices.

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