[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24830]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


   HONORING THE WEST HAVEN HEAD START PROGRAM ON ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, January 3, 2009

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to 
extend my sincere congratulations to the West Haven Head Start Program 
as they celebrate their 30th anniversary. Over the course of the past 
three decades, the West Haven Head Start Program has empowered 
thousands of our youngest children by ensuring that they are prepared 
with the tools and skills they need as they enter elementary school.
  We all know how important early childhood education is to our 
children. Study after study has shown that in their first 3 years 
children develop the foundation for their language, social-emotional, 
and brain development. Everything we have seen points to the fact that 
quality education and early engagement--from parents and teachers 
alike--are fundamental to the future success of our children. Head 
Start was built on that foundation and there is no greater example of 
its impact on our children and families than the West Haven Head Start 
Program.
  The Head Start Program, here in West Haven and across the country, 
has become the cornerstone of our efforts to close the achievement gap, 
combat poverty, and provide every child with the opportunity to thrive. 
Housed at the West Haven Community House, West Haven's Head Start 
Program provides services to hundreds of preschool children from 
disadvantaged families every year. Parents are engaged through regular 
parenting classes, peer networking, and special family events. Children 
participate in arts and crafts, individual and group play, and literacy 
activities designed to promote physical, mental, social, and emotional 
development. I have had the opportunity to visit this program many 
times during my time in Congress and I cannot begin to describe the 
excitement of these children--their desire to learn and ability to 
absorb all the information around them are extraordinary. The Head 
Start Program provides them with an opportunity that may otherwise not 
be available to them. To give these youngsters the gift of knowledge is 
invaluable and I could not be more proud of the work that is done at 
the West Haven Head Start Program.
  Thirty years--this is a remarkable milestone for this outstanding 
program and to support their efforts has been one of the most rewarding 
experiences I have had in my time in Congress. The West Haven Head 
Start Program has made all the difference in the lives of countless 
children and their families. As they mark their 30th year, I am honored 
to have this opportunity to congratulate program director Linda 
Michaels, as well as her staff and wish them all the best for continued 
success.

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