[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 120 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMPAGNA CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Campagna Center, the leading nonprofit human services organization in 
the city of Alexandria, Virginia. For 60 years, the Campagna Center has 
served low-income citizens in my district, providing both Early Head 
Start and Head Start programs to over 300 income-eligible families. The 
center also provides child care, tutoring, and mentoring programs to 
school-aged children, and meaningful volunteer opportunities to older 
members of my district.
  The work of organizations like the Campagna Center is crucial to the 
development of children who come from lower-income households, offering 
the opportunity to truly level the playing field for these children and 
prepare them for school. The programs offered at the Campagna Center 
include early childhood education, as well as health and nutritional 
services. The Campagna Center, however, recognizes that family is the 
most important influence in a child's life, and parents and other 
family members are strongly encouraged to be active contributors to 
these programs.
  Recognition of this wonderful organization is especially poignant as 
this body debates HR 2123, School Readiness Act of 2005. It has been 
said that Education is the great equalizer in a democratic society, and 
we must ensure that programs like these continue to receive the funding 
required to help children achieve. The impact of Head Start programs is 
not measured in dollars, but in the faces of children who finally have 
the opportunity to excel in their education.
  The Campagna Center has provided such opportunities to students in my 
home district, and the impact on these children is significant. I 
congratulate the Board of Directors, staff members, and all of the 
selfless volunteers that make this organization such a success. Under 
their leadership, hundreds of young children go to school prepared for 
the challenges that lie before them.

                          ____________________