[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 18959]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          REFORMS FOR HEAD START THROUGH SCHOOL READINESS ACT

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, every child should enter 
school with the basic skills needed for learning. Although Head Start 
has provided children with satisfactory nutrition and health care, it 
needs reform to significantly improve in their ability to learn.
  As spearheaded by the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) and the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the School Readiness Act will 
address this problem in Head Start by increasing academic and teacher 
requirements, while preserving and strengthening health, nutrition, 
parental literacy, and family services. Additionally, we are asking for 
an additional $202 million in funding for fiscal year 2004 for a total 
of $6.87 billion, an amount that is double the amount in 1996.
  A very important part of the School Readiness Act is a pilot program 
in eight States that would integrate existing State prekindergarten 
programs with Head Start. I am excited that South Carolina will be 
eligible to take part, as it will help ensure all children enter 
kindergarten with the academic tools necessary to succeed.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the School Readiness 
Act.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops.

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