[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 77 (Thursday, May 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 54TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HEAD START PROGRAM

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                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2019

  Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 54th 
anniversary of the successful national Head Start program, which 
empowers children to succeed across the country.
  Head Start is a critical program that is based on the simple premise 
that every child, regardless of their socioeconomic status, should be 
able to succeed in life. Head Start offers education, health and 
nutrition services to economically disadvantaged children, as well as 
parenting and employment supports to their parents.
  Head Start is a wise and cost-effective investment in families and 
communities. For every dollar invested in Head Start by the federal 
government, the country realizes almost nine dollars in benefits 
through increased earning and reduced reliance on social programs.
  In my state of Wisconsin, Head Start provides parent education, 
preventative health care, and home visits to nearly 17,000 Wisconsin 
children and families at over 280 locations statewide. In addition, 
just last year, Head Start provided crisis assistance to over 3,700 
families in Wisconsin in the form of emergency food, clothing or 
shelter.
  Yet, the need is much greater. In 2017, of the nearly 42,000 children 
in Wisconsin ages of three and five in poverty, only 31 percent had 
access to Head Start. Of the 50,985 children under the three in 
poverty, only 6 percent had access to Early Head Start. This is 
troubling when we know the difference that this program can make. 
Earlier this year, I again joined colleagues in asking the House 
Appropriations Committee to boost funding for Head Start.
  So I commend those who have helped make this program such a vital 
part of communities in the past 50 plus years, the dedicated teachers, 
parents, and others who invest so much in our children. Madam Speaker, 
I commend Head Start for the difference it is making for children and 
families in Wisconsin and throughout the nation and urge this Congress 
to improve and strengthen it for another 50 wonderful years.

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