[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JACKIE DOLLAR HARRISON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHILD START, INC.

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the extraordinary career of Jackie Dollar Harrison on the occasion of 
her retirement as Director of Child Start, Inc., a Head Start program 
for Napa and Solano counties. Over the last 25 years, Jackie Harrison's 
commitment to broadening service and reaching out to communities has 
developed the program into one of the most respected early childhood 
educational programs in the country.
  Mrs. Harrison was born in St. Louis, MO, but grew up in Los Angeles, 
where she earned a Bachelors degree from Mt. Saint Mary's College and 
then her Masters from the University of Southern California. The Watts 
riots in 1965 devastated chronically impoverished areas in southern Los 
Angeles; these riots were blamed on a lack of education and 
opportunity. Mrs. Harrison's first job in a long career of serving the 
under-served was as a pre-school teacher and curriculum specialist in 
the areas most impacted by rioting. Her work with marginalized and 
under-represented groups continued as a special education teacher 
serving children with autism and other learning disabilities in central 
Los Angeles.
  Mr. Speaker, when Jackie Harrison arrived in the Napa Valley to 
direct the child care program, things began to change. The development 
of a Head Start program, new pre- and post-natal care efforts, and 
expansion into Solano County were direct results of Jackie's aggressive 
leadership. In 2000, Jackie led the innovative conversion of Napa-
Solano Head Start into an independent non-profit corporation, which now 
operates as a nationally recognized model for others to follow. Jackie 
has emphasized kids' education not only through the programs, but has 
worked with parents and other community organizations to ensure that 
learning continues in the home.
  Mrs. Harrison once said, ``Anything about me, I want to be about the 
program.'' Mr. Speaker, by that measure, 2005 was an extraordinarily 
good year. Child Start, Inc. was recognized as one of the 40 top 
programs of its kind in the nation, it was the ``Distinguished 
Program'' recipient for California, it received a national ``Program of 
Achievement Award'', and Jackie herself was recognized with a 
``Lifetime Achievement Award'' from the National Head Start foundation. 
These testaments to the success of her program are a well-deserved 
acknowledgement of Jackie's vision in transforming children's education 
and opportunities in the Napa Valley.
  Mrs. Harrison has been an active leader for the Napa Valley and the 
State of California, sitting on boards and helping direct the 
development of organizations that support the welfare of those whose 
voices are so often drowned out in our society.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Jackie 
Dollar Harrison for her remarkable achievements in a career 
distinguished by visionary and aggressive leadership for the welfare of 
our nation's children.

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