[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2918-S2919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




54TH ANNIVERSARY OF HEAD START AND 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARLY HEAD START

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to the 
countless men and women in Alaska and across the Nation who have 
dedicated their talents to ensuring that young children and their 
parents have the tools they need to succeed. I speak of all those 
involved in their local Head Start and Early Head Start programs, the 
program directors, teachers, aides, and parent leaders.
  This week marks the 54th anniversary of Head Start and the 25th 
anniversary of Early Head Start. Since 1964, more than 36 million 
children have participated in Head Start, a program that research has 
shown reduces intergenerational poverty by helping parents to gain 
parenting, work, and leadership skills and which gives young children 
at risk the academic, health, and nutritional services they need to 
build a foundation for success.
  Children who attend Head Start begin school with better literacy,

[[Page S2919]]

numeracy, cognitive, and behavioral skills than they otherwise would 
have had. They are more likely to graduate and complete college. They 
are more likely to live healthy, productive lives as adults. Today, 
Head Start alumni are strong, resilient individuals who make positive 
contributions to their communities as doctors, nurses, athletes, 
parents, entrepreneurs, teachers, police officers, CEOs, authors, 
artists, and more.
  Head Start and Early Head Start are more important now than they ever 
have been, helping families across the country so tragically hurt by 
the opioid crisis. Head Start and Early Head Start directors, teachers, 
aides, and parent leaders are on the frontlines, helping our most at-
risk children survive and thrive in the face of the adverse childhood 
experiences caused by homelessness, neglect, and abuse. They are there 
in times of natural disaster, community violence, and personal crisis. 
They are helping parents and grandparents provide stable and nurturing 
environments. In Native communities, they are helping to revitalize 
languages and strengthen traditional ways of knowing and living. Our 
communities and the Nation as a whole are stronger because Head Start 
and Early Head Start programs help millions of families find their way 
to strength and resilience.
  Head Start staff in Alaska and across the country are dedicated, 
innovative, caring, and motivated people who work hard each and every 
day to ensure that the children and families they serve have the tools 
they need to achieve their full potential. Beyond the voluminous 
research showing the positive impact of these programs, I know what 
they do makes a lasting difference. When I visit elementary schools 
across my State, principals tell me that the students who have 
participated in Head Start are better prepared in every way for school.
  So I take this opportunity to wish every Head Start and Early Head 
Start staff member and participant. Happy anniversary. As a longtime 
supporter, I recommit to doing all I can to ensure that our Head Start 
and Early Head Start programs continue to make a positive difference 
for many more years to come.

                          ____________________