[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR EDWARD ZIGLER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2003

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to join in 
paying tribute to one of New Haven's most respected and treasured 
citizens and my dear friend, Dr. Edward Zigler, as he celebrates his 
retirement from a most distinguished and impressive career. For over 4 
decades, Ed, a professor of psychology at Yale University, has devoted 
his talent and energies to the smallest of our Nation's citizens--our 
children. Nationally recognized for his contributions, Ed's vision and 
tenacity has made the safety and security of our children and families 
a national priority.
  As policy makers, we often look to those with field expertise for 
advise and counsel. There are few that have served in these halls in 
the last thirty years who will not recognize the name Dr. Edward 
Zigler. A member of the National Planning and Steering Committee for 
Project Head Start, Ed was instrumental in the development and 
implementation of this tremendous program and has been asked to serve 
as an advisor to each succeeding Administration since President 
Johnson. His efforts on a national committee of professionals charged 
with examining the possibility of making infant care leaves a reality 
in America directly inspired the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. 
Founder of the School of the 21st Century, which has been adopted by 
over thirteen hundred schools nationwide, Ed saw his vision of adding 
child care to the mission of public schools become a national model. It 
is not often that you find an individual whose efforts have so 
effectively changed public policy.
  Through each of his accomplishments, Ed's work has dramatically 
changed the face of public policy concerning our children. He has made 
a real difference in how we, not only as legislators but as a society, 
view the importance of early childhood education programs, child care 
standards, addressing the needs of abused children and those exposed to 
traumatic violence, as well as the critical need for effective family 
support programs. A pioneer in his field, Ed has touched the lives of 
millions of children across the country--giving them a strong voice and 
ensuring that their interests are heard at every level of government.
  As a professor, Ed has taught many who have gone on to hold 
significant positions as policy makers and teachers themselves. Those 
he has trained will go on to teach others, for his is a legacy not just 
of books and articles but of ideas and inspiration. Through his 
position with the Yale Child Study Center and as Director of the Bush 
Center in Child Development and Social Policy, these institutions have 
become recognized leaders in addressing the most significant issues 
facing today's children and families. This weekend, leading researchers 
and policy-makers in the fields of child development and social policy 
will gather for a Festschrift entitled Child Development and Social 
Policy: Knowledge for Action in celebration of Ed's lifetime of work--a 
reflection of the impact his career has made. Ed has left an indelible 
mark on our community and our nation and we have certainly been 
fortunate to have him call New Haven home.
  It is my great privilege to join all of those gathered in extending 
my sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Edward Zigler for his 
invaluable contributions. I have been honored to have the opportunity 
to work closely with Ed on issues both here in Washington as well as in 
Connecticut. He has been an invaluable resource and I look forward to 
continuing to look to him as we continue to work to improve the quality 
of life for all of America's children.

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