[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[January 21, 1992]
[Pages 121-122]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at a Head Start Center in Catonsville, Maryland

January 21, 1992
    Maryanne Anderson, thank you so very much, not just you but 
everybody that has given us this very warm welcome. May I salute our 
Secretary of Education, who is with us. Were you introduced before I 
walked in here? Stand up, come on: Lamar Alexander, the Secretary of 
Education for the United States. Lou Sullivan, right here, is the 
Secretary of HHS. And most of you know him by his works, but Lou, I 
guess you were greeted.
    And may I single out Congressman Helen Bentley, who flew over with 
us on Marine One. Here she is, over here. And I would be remiss if I 
didn't especially single out my friend, your Governor, Don Schaefer.
    We have these national education goals, and then we have a group of 
Governors, nonpartisan, come together, all of them as a matter of fact, 
to endorse them. And to implement these goals we have a program that 
Lamar is working so hard on--Lou helping, I'm trying to help--called 
America 2000. And I think you and Maryland can take pride that your 
Governor was the first one on and has been an early advocate of goal 
one, or the whole program, first one on board, and secondly, a very 
early advocate of Head Start and this early learning concept. So I 
appreciate, Governor, your taking the time to come here in that spirit.
    And I salute the parents without whom this program cannot work to 
its fulfillment, parents, parental involvement, and we saw that. And I 
salute the parents, not only here but out there, who are doing so much 
to get these kids ready to learn.
    Last Friday, I had the privilege of visiting the living memorial to 
Dr. Martin Luther King in Atlanta, went down there with Coretta Scott 
King. And contemplating the legacy that Dr. King left for us all, I was 
struck once again by the immense importance that he placed on quality 
education. He called it ``the passport to a better life.'' And he was 
right.
    We face a great challenge today in making America a country that 
will lead not only in the 1990's but in the 21st century, lead, the 
leadership in education. This mission involves many things. And next 
week when I deliver a State of the Union Message, you'll see that we've 
been doing some hard thinking about how to fulfill this uniquely 
American destiny. And one of the keys is to make sure that this 
generation of young Americans, like these young people here today, are 
prepared to lead.
    And in a word, that demands educational excellence. As many of you 
know, we've launched a comprehensive strategy to radically transform, 
radically transform America's schools. And yes, we've set high goals. 
And the first goal is this, and I mentioned it earlier: By the year 
2000, every American child must start school ready to learn.
    Many children need a head start, and we're going to make sure they 
get it. Today I'm pleased to announce that we're taking a large step 
toward meeting that first crucial goal. In the budget that I'll submit 
later this month, I will ask Congress for a $600 million increase in 
Head Start, the largest increase ever. And we've fought for increases 
the last 3 years, but this one is the largest ever. It's the third 
straight one, as a matter of fact. Increasing funding for Head Start has 
been a priority with me, with Dr. Sullivan, with Secretary Alexander and 
others for a long, long time, certainly for the teachers, the dedicated 
teachers that we've seen here today.
    And in 1989, just a little review here, we increased funding over 
1988 levels, as well as in 1990 and then again in 1991. And these funds 
will allow every eligible 4-year-old child whose parents want them to 
participate to have the Head Start experience before starting school, 
every eligible 4-year-

[[Page 122]]

old. And when Congress approves my request, and I'm confident they will 
go along, we will have more than doubled the program's funding over the 
past 3 years.
    Of course, in education as in other fields, Government is just one 
part of the larger solution. Real progress in America comes from strong 
families and communities, from committed individuals binding together in 
common purpose, whether it's a church congregation opening a day care 
center in its neighborhood or parents taking a little extra time to read 
to their children.
    No Government program alone can guarantee that children start school 
ready to learn. No Government program can take the place of parents and 
of communities that nurture the children who otherwise might have been 
left far behind. But in Head Start we found a Government program that 
works, that works to strengthen communities and families for the future.
    Time has proved that Head Start brings out the best in us. And last 
year, more than 800,000 Americans gave of themselves by volunteering in 
a Head Start program. That is an amazing figure. You can see it right 
here at the Emily Harris Head Start Program where the entire staff, 
including volunteers, make sure their young pupils get the skills that 
will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. They learn 
about getting along; they learn about sharing with others, about 
independence, about self-confidence.
    Every parent here knows that Head Start is really more than 
education. It provides hot meals, ensures that children receive 
immunizations and access to needed social services, health and dental 
care. Dr. Sullivan, whose Department does such a splendid job in 
administering Head Start, knows from personal experience the importance 
of nurturing the body as well as mind.
    And most of all, Head Start is about family. Head Start couldn't be 
the success it's been without the direct involvement of parents. 
Governing councils give parents the opportunity to set the program's 
direction. Head Start brings parents right into the classroom and into 
the learning process. And they attend child care workshops, and they 
learn how to prepare well-balanced meals. And all of these serve to 
reinvigorate those family values that are the true key to a happy, 
wholesome, and productive life.
    Head Start works. It's not perfect. We're committed to making a good 
program better. Over the past 3 years we've made sure these increased 
funds best serve the needs of families. We've made family service 
centers part of Head Start to provide substance abuse counseling, job 
training for parents who need them. And we've encouraged every Head 
Start program to offer adult literacy classes for Head Start parents.
    But our greatest challenge lies in ensuring that when children leave 
Head Start ready to learn, they enter an educational system where they 
can learn. We're helping with the head start; let's make sure that they 
cross the finish line too, prepared to be the leaders of the next 
century.
    I really was very pleased to be here today. And I'm honored that 
I've had a chance to see firsthand the work that the teachers, the 
parents, the community is doing to support this worthwhile program. It 
is an example for the rest of our Nation. So, thank all of you.
    And let me say in conclusion, thanks for the kids. I learned an 
awful lot about bathtub toys; about how to work the telephone--several 
of them know their own phone numbers; preparation to go to the dentist; 
and a lot of things that I'd forgotten. [Laughter] So, it's been a good 
day.
    Thank you all very, very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 10:05 a.m. at the Emily 
                        Harris Head Start Center. In his remarks, he 
                        referred to Maryanne Anderson, Baltimore County 
                        Head Start director.