School Readiness Act of 2005 (1)

SCHOOL READINESS ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2005)

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Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for the Head Start Reauthorization Bill that was sent to this Chamber by the Committee.

Head Start is one of the best programs we offer our youngest students. A recent report on Head Start released by the Department of Health and Human Services shows that Head Start helps close the achievement gap between students of differing socio-economic status.

Since Head Start was created in 1965, it has proven to be our most valuable school readiness program in the history of this country.

Time after time, we have seen reports that prove students who attend Head Start perform better than those who don't.

It's important that this body reauthorize this program in a manner that shows bipartisan support for educating our children.

I agree with many of the provisions in this bill, such as safeguarding financial abuse and improving disclosure rules. Fraud and abuse of providers of Head Start Programs is indefensible.

The money allocated to Head Start programs should be used to educate children. Not for any other purpose. This bill cracks down on those programs engaging in fraud.

Also, this legislation keeps current health and nutrition services, which are essential for ensuring children can learn.

Young children have a difficult time learning if their basic needs aren't met. Providing health care is an essential part of this program.

The ``best practices'' provision of this bill will help improve the curricula of our Head Start Program.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill as it was reported from Committee. Thousands of children in my district benefit from Head Start and it's essential that we reauthorize this program with a bipartisan plan that will help this Program serve more children effectively.

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