Madam Speaker, Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report on H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act.  This bipartisan legislation provides services to one of our most vulnerable populations – children from low-income families.  By passing this measure today, over 900,000 disadvantaged children ages 3 to 5 - including over 3,000 in Rhode Island - will have access to health services, the necessary tools to enter kindergarten, and a foundation for their success later in life.

Studies show that low-income children often lack the richness of books in the home, proper nutrition, or access to a continuum of health services.  For over forty years, Head Start has provided comprehensive early childhood development services to low-income children, with strong emphasis on the involvement of families and the local community.  H.R. 1429 would increase funding for quality improvements to Head Start and requires that by 2013 at least half of Head Start teachers nationwide have at least a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education. 

Today, half of the children enrolled in Head Start are from working poor families.  For this reason, I am pleased that this conference agreement increases the income eligibility to 130% of the poverty level so that families struggling with work and childcare will have another option.  I also believe that stopping the program’s National Reporting System is essential until proper testing methods for these young children are carefully developed.  H.R. 1429 also establishes a set of procedures to improve accountability in the Head Start program, which will lead to improvements for all those served by Head Start.

Earlier in the year, H.R. 1429 passed both the House and the Senate with overwhelming support.  I am proud that the 110th Congress is on the verge of passing this conference report after nearly a decade of failing to reauthorize Head Start.  For all the children who benefit from this program, I look forward to sending this bill to the President for his signature.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.