Congresswoman Hirono Applauds Secretary Duncan And Retired Military Leaders' Commitment To Quality Early Education

Press Release

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) applauded the joint announcement today by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and members of the non-profit organization Mission: Readiness urging further investment in America's early education efforts. The Congresswoman also expressed dismay over a new report that indicates 100,000 young adults in the state of Hawaii wouldn't qualify to enlist in the U.S. military, whether they wanted to sign up or not.

At a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, Secretary Duncan joined several retired generals and admirals, including Former NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark, in releasing a Mission: Readiness report that details the fact that 75% of young Americans are unable to serve their country because they have either failed to graduate high school, engaged in criminal activity, or are physically or mentally unfit.

"This report highlights one more reason why quality early education is critical to the success of our nation," said Congresswoman Hirono. "Today these retired military generals and admirals are telling us that quality early education and an educated populace are a matter of national security. They join a growing chorus of voices calling for increased investments in quality early education."

Congresswoman Hirono is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, and an acknowledged champion of quality early education. The House passed a bill in September which included the Early Learning Challenge Fund, an $8 billion grant program containing many of the features of Hirono's PRE-K Act. The bill is now being considered by the U.S. Senate. To learn more about the Early Learning Challenge Fund or the PRE-K act, visit Congresswoman Hirono's website: www.hirono.house.gov.

"We need a well-educated workforce, including a strong and well-educated military," said Secretary Duncan. "President Obama has a cradle-to-career agenda. It starts with improving early learning opportunities, continues with K-12 reform to reduce the number of dropouts, and it concludes with efforts to make college accessible and affordable to all. This will build our economy to compete in the global marketplace.

Mission: Readiness is a nonprofit, bipartisan organization made up of retired military leaders that is dedicated to ensuring national security by investing in early education to better prepare our youth for future military and career readiness. You can learn more about this organization at their website: www.missionreadiness.org.

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