[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E764]]
                  HONORING THE CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the most effective child advocacy organization in the United States of 
America, or any place else in the world--the Children's Defense Fund 
(CDF). Founded in 1973 by the creative, dedicated and far-sighted 
Marian Wright Edelman, the CDF has played a key role in keeping the 
needs, hopes and aspirations of our children in the eyes and minds of 
policy makers and the general public.
  Through its research and education efforts the CDF has educated, 
motivated, and stimulated millions of parents to become more aware of 
the needs of their children and how they too can become advocates for 
them. The CDF has provided health support, informed parents on how to 
use the Children's Health Insurance Program, put together the Student 
Health Outreach Project and through its Child Welfare and Mental Health 
Division works to support and protect children and their families who 
have been abused, neglected, suffered serious emotional problems and in 
some instances have even been left homeless.
  Education is indeed the key that unlocks the door to success and in 
this arena the CDF has been unwavering in trying to make head start 
available to every child, supporting educational programs like the 21st 
Century Community Learning Center, after-school programs, the 
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), the Infants and Toddlers 
Program, the Campus Based Childcare, and early Childhood Educator 
Professional Development Program, as well as countless others.
  Mr. Speaker, our children are indeed the future, and as the 
songwriter said: ``teach them well and let them lead the way,'' well 
for thirty years the CDF has been leading the way and pointing out to 
America that they need our support, financially, morally, spiritually, 
educationally, and emotionally if they are to become the leaders that 
we need for tomorrow. Yes, the CDF for thirty years has fought the good 
fight, you have paved the way, you are leading us into the light, and 
we simply pause to take note and say thank you--Marian Wright Edelman, 
and thank you Children's Defense Fund.

                          ____________________