Head Start 50th Anniversary

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 50th anniversary of Head Start, a wonderful success story that empowered 32 million children in America.

Unfortunately, the future of Head Start today stands in grave peril due to the misplaced priorities of the Republican budget which cuts $759 billion from nondefense discretionary funds and will result in 35,000 fewer children participating in Head Start.

House Democrats want to embrace the future by investing in early childhood education and enacting universal prekindergarten. Democrats strongly support President Obama's initiative to fully fund Head Start and expand the Early Head Start-Childcare Partnerships. Research shows that high-quality early education is a great investment in a child's life and our Nation's future.

Mr. Speaker, our children are our future. As Head Starters across the country plant rose bushes this week to commemorate President Johnson's Rose Garden launching of Head Start, this Congress must reject the misplaced priorities of the Republican budget and embrace a brighter future for our children.

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