[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S5171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 137--DESIGNATING MAY 1, 2005, AS ``NATIONAL CHILD 
                         CARE WORTHY WAGE DAY''

  Mr. CORZINE (for himself, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
Feingold, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kennedy, and Mrs. 
Boxer) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 137

       Whereas approximately 14,000,000 children are in out-of-
     home care during part or all of the day so that their parents 
     may work;
       Whereas the turnover rate of early-childhood educators is 
     approximately 30 percent per year because low wages and a 
     lack of benefits make it difficult to retain high-quality 
     educators;
       Whereas research has demonstrated that young children 
     require caring relationships and a consistent presence in 
     their lives for their positive development;
       Whereas the compensation of early-childhood educators 
     should be commensurate with the important job of helping the 
     young children of the United States develop the social, 
     emotional, physical, and intellectual skills they need to be 
     ready for school; and
       Whereas resources maybe reallocated to improve the 
     compensation of early-childhood educators to ensure that 
     quality care and education are accessible for all families;
       Whereas the Center for the Child Care Workforce and other 
     early childhood education organizations recognize May 1st as 
     National Child Care Worthy Wage Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designate May 1, 2005, as ``National Child Care Worthy 
     Wage Day''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Child Care Worthy Wage Day by--
       (A) honoring early-childhood educators and programs in 
     their communities; and
       (B) working together to resolve the early-childhood 
     educator compensation crisis.

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