[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF THE MONTEREY COUNTY HEAD START PROGRAM

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2005

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 40th anniversary of 
the Monterey County Head Start Program. The program provides a 
comprehensive child development program to preschool children whose 
families live below poverty level. The Monterey County Head Start 
Program is dedicated to serving and supporting the communities of 
Monterey County through educational development of children that fully 
prepare them for school and their experiences in life.
  The Monterey County Head Start Program originated in Castroville in 
June 1965 with the help of the Community Action Agency. The program 
expanded to Salinas and Seaside in 1975 with grant support from the 
Monterey County Office of Education. Now, the Head Start Program 
operates 26 preschool centers in Monterey County, providing services to 
well over one-thousand children and their families. Their goal to 
provide the highest quality program for the children and families in 
the county has been very successful.
  Every child in the Head Start Program is provided the highest quality 
child development program based on the internationally acclaimed, 
research-based High Scope Curriculum. Physical and dental examinations 
are given to each child, as well as an individualized educational 
program to suit each child's needs. The program also offers the Early 
Head Start Program which is designed to provide assistance to 
qualifying pregnant women, infants, and toddlers; as well as parent 
education for nutrition, first aid, and self-sufficiency skills. Truly, 
this is an inclusive program that has enhanced the lives of so many 
residents in the 17th district.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Monterey County Head Start 
Program for forty years of outstanding service. The Head Start staff 
performs an exceptional job daily facilitating school readiness for 
children and fostering lifelong independence and personal 
responsibility for low-income families. The Monterey Head Start Program 
provided services to over thirty-thousand children and families in the 
rural and urban communities of Monterey County, and our community is 
immensely grateful for their contribution.

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