[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 14 (Monday, April 8, 2002)]
[Page 551]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Roundtable Discussion With Early Childhood Education 
Experts in Media, Pennsylvania

April 2, 2002

    I just finished a discussion about early childhood development. I 
want to thank the experts and the teachers and the soon-to-be teachers 
and those who are running Head Start programs for sharing their 
knowledge with Secretary Paige and me.
    One thing is for certain: In order for all Americans to realize the 
American Dream, we've got to make sure every child has the necessary 
foundation to be good readers, good writers, good comprehenders, which 
means that this Nation must do a better job of focusing our education 
strategy on early childhood development programs.
    We've got to encourage parents to be good readers, good nurturers 
for their children. We've got to work with Head Start centers to make 
sure that they've got the curriculum necessary to teach every child the 
building blocks for reading. We've got to work with States, to encourage 
States to develop a strategy that will help focus time and attention and 
resources on the programs that will not only give children the basics 
for reading but give children the essential nourishment so that they can 
become ready to compete in the public school system in America.
    I assured our panelists here that while I'm spending a lot of time 
on making sure America is safe and secure, that this initiative is a 
crucial initiative. It's an essential part of completing the education 
reforms that Senator Kennedy and Congressman Boehner and both 
Republicans and Democrats worked on last year and I had the honor of 
signing.
    So this is a great initiative and a wonderful group of Americans 
that are here to discuss this. I'm real proud of your work. I want to 
thank you for your care and compassion for our fellow citizens.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 2:33 p.m. in the Commons/Athletic Center at 
Pennsylvania State University, Delaware County.