[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 72 (Thursday, May 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IMPROVING HEAD START ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 2, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1429) to 
     reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, 
     to expand access, and for other purposes:

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in fervent support of H.R. 1429, the 
Improving Head Start Act. This bill represents one of the most 
important pieces of legislation that Congress will deliberate because 
it affects a countless number of our young children and helps prepare 
them for a lifetime of learning and success.
  Specifically, I applaud and support Congresswoman Johnson's amendment 
which addresses the need of engaging low-income and minority students, 
who overwhelmingly attend HCBU's, and provides them with additional 
opportunities to train in early childhood education at the 
undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels.
  These same college students would then be required to teach in Head 
Start programs educating students who share similar backgrounds and 
family situations.
  Mr. Chairman, the Johnson amendment is a win-win for our college 
students, our beginning students, and for the health and future of this 
country.
  Research verifies what we already understand, that the earlier our 
children are engaged in the learning process the higher their chances 
of success later in school and in life.
  Head Start promotes school readiness by providing our youngest 
students with early reading and math skills, enhancing their social and 
cognitive development, and providing them with health, nutritional, and 
other services.
  By addressing the educational needs of our youngest children early 
on, we will increase our chances of closing existing achievement gaps. 
I urge all of my colleagues to support the Johnson Amendment, and the 
Improving Head Start Act.

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