[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 80 (Friday, May 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMEMORATING THE 50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HEAD START

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. STACEY E. PLASKETT

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 2015

  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50-year 
anniversary of Head Start in this country, and to honor the many 
professionals whose dedication to early childhood education has kept 
the program going.
  But as we are celebrating the successes of Head Start, let us not 
overlook the fact that our commitment to early education and our 
efforts as a body to preserve the Head Start program are not exactly 
even-keeled.
  While Head Start has served more than 30 million children and 
families in urban and rural areas across the country, in many cities, 
families see long waiting lists.
  In my home district in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the funded enrollment 
in Head Start is just under 900, but there are more than 750 children 
on the waiting list--an increase from the 600 who were on the list the 
year before. This in part, comes as a result of funding constraints 
that has prevented the expansion of Head Start.
  I don't have to stress the importance of this program. Access to Head 
Start not only improves children's preschool outcomes, but has been 
shown to positively impact high school graduation rates and even help 
families move out of poverty.
  It is my hope that this body continues to hold firm the commitment to 
providing quality early education for our children and work together in 
closing the educational opportunity gap.
  Half a century later, President Lyndon Johnson's vision and words 
still hold true: this is, in fact, ``one of the most constructive, and 
one of the most sensible, and also one of the most exciting programs 
that this nation has ever undertaken.''
  Let's continue investing in our most valuable resource: our children.

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