Improving Head Start Act Of 2007

Floor Speech

IMPROVING HEAD START ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - May 02, 2007)

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by thanking Chairman Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, Chairman Kildee and Ranking Member Castle, as well as both the majority and minority staff for their hard work and for including so many issues near and dear to my heart in this bill. Some of those are recruiting minority male teachers; emphasizing children's social, emotional well-being; recognizing the expanding role of grandparents and kinship caregivers in children's lives; keep parent councils as equals to the governing boards; incorporating the best practices from the field of home visitation into the Early Head Start programs; and encouraging the development of on-line graduate training. All of these are key issues to me and to the people of Chicago. I know that you have toiled long and hard to integrate Member concerns, and you have my appreciation.

In addition, I am very pleased that this bipartisan bill preserves the anti-discrimination history of Head Start advocated so ardently by the Head Start and religious communities. Federal funds are not meant to support discrimination of any type, and I applaud the Members of both sides for maintaining this fundamental commitment to justice and fairness in this bill.

Finally, I must mention a concern from Chicago Head Start programs. I know that the Chairs and ranking members have worked hard to address the problems surrounding low-income families in high cost of living areas such as Chicago from losing access to this critical child development program. I ask that the issue of income eligibility continue to be discussed so that the children of working poor families can be included.

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