[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 5 (Thursday, January 9, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H77-H78]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                STRONG START FOR AMERICA'S CHILDREN ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. George Miller) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, study after study has 
shown us that investment in quality early education leads to better 
educational outcomes, stronger job earnings, and lower crime rates. 
Decades of research confirm that quality preschool helps prevent 
achievement gaps for low-income children, with long-term benefits for 
our Nation.
  But we don't need research to confirm the importance of quality early 
childhood education. Ask any parent in America if it matters to them. 
The problem is that not enough children have access to it. That is why 
I have introduced the bipartisan bill, Strong Start for America's 
Children Act.
  When Congressman Hanna, Senator Harkin, and I introduced the bill in 
November, we were joined by the sheriff of Minneapolis, a top private-
sector CEO, a retired Air Force General, a parent, and Secretary of 
Education Arne Duncan. These leaders from so many segments of our 
country understand the need for greater Federal investment in high-
quality preschool.
  My legislation proposes an innovative Federal-State partnership to 
increase resources for local school districts and community-based 
programs that provide quality pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds. It also 
allows funding for educating 3-year-olds. It also allows States to 
spend some of the money on good quality infant and toddler care. The 
bill improves child care quality for infants and toddlers by supporting 
partnerships between child care and Early Head Start.
  Millions of young children from low-income families lack access to 
high-quality preschool programs and child care services. They are on 
waiting lists because of limited public funding. This deepens 
achievement gaps and impedes the Nation's economic workforce success.
  For example, Early Head Start has shown to be an effective, high-
quality program; yet the sad truth is that only 3 percent of the 
eligible children have access to it. Additionally, one in six low-
income families eligible for Federal child care services has access.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not a Democratic issue nor a Republican issue. 
Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers don't know that political parties 
exist. In fact, we are seeing that Republican and Democratic Governors 
from all regions of the country are pushing for more funding for early 
learning in their States. They want to be partners with the Federal 
Government.
  State legislators from both parties in a wide range of States have 
led efforts to support quality preschool. Just recently, we received a 
letter signed by more than 500 State legislators from both parties in 
support of this issue.
  I am also very proud of our partnership with the fellow Republican 
Members of the House, such as Mr. Hanna and Mr. Grimm. We all know that 
the policy makes sense for America's future. We all know what is 
possible in our communities and in our Nation if kids are given a fair 
shot at success.
  The public understands and believes in early childhood education. A 
bipartisan poll released in July found an overwhelming majority of 
Americans supports quality early childhood education and rate it a 
national priority, second to only increasing jobs and economic growth. 
Seven in 10 support the Federal plan to help States and local 
communities provide better early childhood education.
  Members of Congress and other policymakers are also getting on board. 
The bipartisan budget agreement reached last month includes a reserve 
fund for early childhood education, child care, and voluntary home 
visitation. That is yet another acknowledgment by another bipartisan 
group of Members--in this case, budget leaders--that early childhood 
education should be a top priority for the Federal Government. That 
acknowledgment is clearly a step forward, but it isn't enough. Our next 
step must be the enactment of the Strong Start Act.
  With the fiscal year 2014 spending deadline less than a week away, I 
understand that appropriators from both Houses are considering 
increased funding for preschool, as outlined in our bipartisan bill. I 
heartily encourage this course.
  Despite the language used whenever we in Congress talk about budgets, 
funding early childhood education isn't spending. It is an investment, 
and it is an investment that is critical for our Nation's long-term 
economic strength.
  From a better-educated workforce to a reduced need for social 
services, study after study has documented the enormous return on 
investment of early childhood education. We can save between $7 and $12 
for every dollar invested. These are real savings resulting from less 
grade repetition, lower dropout rates, less spending on welfare and 
social services, more tax revenue, and lower incarceration rates.
  As Sheriff Rich Stanek said when we launched the Strong Start for 
America's Children Act:

       I'm the guy you pay later.

  Let's stop spending on the back end what we should be investing in 
the beginning in a child's life.
  For all of these reasons, our bill has the support of more than 60 
national organizations representing pediatricians, law enforcement, 
religious

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groups, labor unions, business and military leaders, people with 
disabilities, school principals, civil rights leaders, and literacy 
advocates. Now is the time to empower the next generation and guarantee 
a better future for our Nation.

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