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[Pages S2918-S2919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
54TH ANNIVERSARY OF HEAD START AND 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARLY HEAD START
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to the
countless men and women in Alaska and across the Nation who have
dedicated their talents to ensuring that young children and their
parents have the tools they need to succeed. I speak of all those
involved in their local Head Start and Early Head Start programs, the
program directors, teachers, aides, and parent leaders.
This week marks the 54th anniversary of Head Start and the 25th
anniversary of Early Head Start. Since 1964, more than 36 million
children have participated in Head Start, a program that research has
shown reduces intergenerational poverty by helping parents to gain
parenting, work, and leadership skills and which gives young children
at risk the academic, health, and nutritional services they need to
build a foundation for success.
Children who attend Head Start begin school with better literacy,
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numeracy, cognitive, and behavioral skills than they otherwise would
have had. They are more likely to graduate and complete college. They
are more likely to live healthy, productive lives as adults. Today,
Head Start alumni are strong, resilient individuals who make positive
contributions to their communities as doctors, nurses, athletes,
parents, entrepreneurs, teachers, police officers, CEOs, authors,
artists, and more.
Head Start and Early Head Start are more important now than they ever
have been, helping families across the country so tragically hurt by
the opioid crisis. Head Start and Early Head Start directors, teachers,
aides, and parent leaders are on the frontlines, helping our most at-
risk children survive and thrive in the face of the adverse childhood
experiences caused by homelessness, neglect, and abuse. They are there
in times of natural disaster, community violence, and personal crisis.
They are helping parents and grandparents provide stable and nurturing
environments. In Native communities, they are helping to revitalize
languages and strengthen traditional ways of knowing and living. Our
communities and the Nation as a whole are stronger because Head Start
and Early Head Start programs help millions of families find their way
to strength and resilience.
Head Start staff in Alaska and across the country are dedicated,
innovative, caring, and motivated people who work hard each and every
day to ensure that the children and families they serve have the tools
they need to achieve their full potential. Beyond the voluminous
research showing the positive impact of these programs, I know what
they do makes a lasting difference. When I visit elementary schools
across my State, principals tell me that the students who have
participated in Head Start are better prepared in every way for school.
So I take this opportunity to wish every Head Start and Early Head
Start staff member and participant. Happy anniversary. As a longtime
supporter, I recommit to doing all I can to ensure that our Head Start
and Early Head Start programs continue to make a positive difference
for many more years to come.
____________________