Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Head Start program:
"Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson changed the face of education in America by signing the Head Start Act into law. As a former teacher, I saw firsthand just how invaluable the Head Start program's health and educational services were to underprivileged students and their families. As a Member of Congress, I have strongly supported this amazing program.
"America's future can only be secured if we ensure our children receive first-class educations. More and more, public school students come from households below the poverty line, rendering the services offered by Head Start even more critical to America's success. Every child - regardless of his or her socioeconomic background - deserves the opportunity to succeed academically. For 50 years, Head Start has granted low-income students that opportunity. I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to make sure this vital program receives the support and funding it needs."