[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 30, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H2049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to promote early childhood 
programs, which are an investment not only in our children, but in our 
country's future.
  In 1990, the Child Care and Development Block Grant was created for 
low-income parents who are either working or in school. If the proposed 
cuts to Child Care and Development Block Grants are signed into law, 
150,000 families nationwide will lose child care subsidies. In my home 
State, the annual cost for child care for an infant can be nearly 
$12,000 a year and the annual cost for a toddler can be as much as 
$9,000.
  Head Start is another vital service that has provided education, 
health, nutritional and social services for 3- and 4-year-olds since 
1965. If the cuts proposed in H.R. 1 become reality, 218,220 children 
nationwide will lose access to Head Start, and approximately 55,000 
Head Start employees will lose their jobs; 3,719 children in New Jersey 
would be left without access to Head Start, and we already have 9,500 
children on the waiting list.
  I ask Congress to continue debate in support of the bill.

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