[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6405-6406]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    NATIONAL WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I recognize the National Week 
of the Young Child. This week provides all of us here in Washington the 
opportunity to reflect on the ways in which we can better care for 
children in our communities and more effectively cooperate with 
teachers, parents, and other caregivers.
  Critical to the success of many disadvantaged Iowa children is the 
Head Start program. If we really want to get kids ready for school, we 
must focus on early intervention. This means improving access to 
education and developmental services to help provide kids

[[Page 6406]]

with a good start in life. Since 1965, Head Start has served more than 
24 million low-income children and their families.
  Head Start programs help Iowa families to meet young children's basic 
educational, health, nutritional and social needs with a goal of having 
these kids ready for the first day of kindergarten. I was pleased to 
recently help modernize and update Head Start by passing The Head Start 
for School Readiness Act, which allows more families access to 
programs, improves early childhood training for Head Start educators, 
and updates learning standards to reflect the latest research in child 
development. I also made sure that early learning programs do not 
ignore the importance of wellness and healthy behaviors by requiring 
training to integrate physical activity and good nutrition in the 
classroom.
  I have heard tremendous stories from my State of children whose lives 
were improved through the social services Head Start provides. These 
children received eye glasses or necessary dental work thanks to the 
early intervention of our Head Start programs. Head Start educators and 
employees often connect parents in need to the outreach services which 
help give children safe and comfortable homes.
  I was particularly touched by the story of Rebecca Navarro. She 
writes that her youngest son, Anthony, received help learning his 
letters and colors, and improved his social skills, through their local 
Head Start agency. At the same time, a Head Start social worker helped 
Ms. Navarro go back to school and receive her degree, pay for food and 
utilities and provide a better quality of life for Anthony and his four 
siblings. Anthony has now successfully graduated the 6th grade with 
math skills above his grade level, and plans on going to college and 
getting his master's degree in engineering and math.
  Providing our Nation's youngest learners with the tools they need to 
succeed benefits not only those children and their families, but our 
Nation as well. While celebrating the victories of Head Start this 
week, we should also continue to work hard to ensure every child has 
the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

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