[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 58 (Friday, May 12, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL CHILDCARE PROVIDER APPRECIATION

                           HON. BARBARA CUBIN

                               of wyoming

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2006

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize May 12th, 2006 as 
National Childcare Provider Appreciation Day. Child care providers are 
all too often unsung heroes. Yet early childhood is a critical 
developmental period for children and it takes a special person to work 
in this field. The contribution of childcare providers to the quality 
of family life is certainly deserving of recognition by this body.
  Started in 1996 by a group of volunteers, National Childcare Provider 
Appreciation Day is appropriately celebrated each year on the Friday 
before Mother's Day. This recognition takes many forms, including state 
and municipal government proclamations, local media coverage, business 
and community events, and the personal acknowledgment of providers by 
parents.
  The childcare profession not only plays a critical role in supporting 
healthy families and children, but is also a key part of the economy. A 
recent National Child Care Association study shows that there are at 
least 2.8 million people who earn their living by teaching or caring 
for young children. It is also estimated that of the 21 million 
children under age 6 in America, 13 million are in child care at least 
part-time. An additional 24 million school-age children are in some 
form of child care outside of school-time.
  I am proud to recognize Wyoming childcare providers and their efforts 
to make Wyoming's bright future even brighter through their dedicated 
care. In a state with wide open spaces, Wyoming's daycare providers 
have wide open arms with which they embrace our children to help them 
grow and prosper.
  With that, I commend our nation's childcare providers and invite my 
colleagues to do the same on National Childcare Provider Appreciation 
Day.

                          ____________________