[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 87 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1249-E1250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORTING HEAD START

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2003

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, Head Start is a time-tested program that has 
improved the lives of children and their families for 38 years. I am 
proud to say that Head Start has improved the lives of those in my home 
district of San Bernardino County, California.
  I recently received a letter from Ms. Brenda Clayton, a Head Start 
staff member in San Bernardino County. In her letter, Ms. Clayton says 
that she sees first-hand, every day, what a difference Head Start makes 
to children and their parents.
  Ms. Clayton writes, ``I generally see the parents at initial 
application or enrollment process, then I'll see these same parents 2 
to 3 months later and they are excited to share with me all the good 
and wonderful things their child is now able to say and do, how their 
child has a zest for learning.''
  As we face the Head Start reauthorization process, Ms. Clayton has 
asked me that I do everything in my authority to see that her program 
does not become block-granted. Unfortunately, I must face the reality 
that this Republican-led Congress will impose these block grants, 
leaving less money, less oversight and leaving even more children 
behind.
  Under a block grant system, Head Start is not guaranteed to receive 
funding. We must make sure that Head Start receives funding and 
receives it directly so that what little funds that are given to this 
highly important program are not diluted even further.
  It simply doesn't make sense to put the fate of Head Start into the 
hands of the States. Our States are bankrupt! My State of California 
faces a budget shortfall of $35 billion. But once again, we are forcing 
our cash-strapped States to pick up the tab at our children's expense.
  We have already forced States to pick up the tab for the unfunded 
mandates of No Child Left Behind. And we're now forcing States to take 
over what the Federal Government has proven is a success! Republicans 
are taking

[[Page E1250]]

an essential program and completely dismantling it. It just doesn't 
make sense!
  My Republican colleagues are at it once again--trying to limit the 
role of the Federal Government in public education under the excuse of 
``accountability'' and better State and Federal coordination. If 
accountability was such a huge concern, then why does the Head Start 
reauthorization bill remove standards and requirements? And if States 
are facing such drastic budget shortfalls, then why are we tempting 
them with the opportunity to reduce services and transfer funds from 
Head Start to other services? It just doesn't make sense.
  The only thing that makes sense is to bring Head Start back to its 
original, bipartisan state with the same strong, Federal accountability 
standards and increased funding so all eligible children can benefit 
from Head Start services. That is a program that makes sense.

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