[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING THE 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF HEAD START

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2023

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
58th anniversary of Head Start, a program launched in 1965 as a 
comprehensive, anti-poverty, child development program. The program 
President Johnson envisioned as an eight-week summer program for a few 
thousand children has since served over 37 million children and their 
families.
  For 58 years, Head Start has promoted school readiness for children 
in economically disadvantaged families, those families suffering from 
homelessness, and children in the foster care system by offering 
educational, nutritional, health, and social services. Head Start 
offers programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the 
U.S. territories, including programs for American Indians and Alaska 
Natives, and in migrant and seasonal communities.
  Head Start serves nearly 43,000 children and their families in 
Florida alone. Over the past year in my state, almost 33,000 children 
have been kept up-to-date on health screenings, over 19,000 children 
have received preventative dental care, and over 32,000 families have 
received support services. In addition, Head Start employees conducted 
over 109,000 home visits.
  Early in my professional career, I worked as a Head Start teacher, a 
job which helped position me to better serve my vulnerable constituents 
here in this chamber. As I reflect on that experience, I am awed by the 
profound impact Head Start has had on our society, and I am proud to 
have played a role, both as a Head Start teacher and a Member of 
Congress in helping disrupt generational poverty.
  The Head Start promise is simple: every child, regardless of 
circumstances at birth, has the ability to reach their full potential. 
As we celebrate the 58th anniversary of this extraordinary program, I 
ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Head Start and its staff 
for their invaluable contributions over the past 57 years to building 
opportunities so that every child can thrive.

                          ____________________