Jon L. Christensen: “Mr. Speaker, later this week, the House is poised to reauthorize one of this country's most significant programs. For…”

“Mr. Speaker, later this week, the House is poised to reauthorize one of this country's most significant programs. For over 3 decades, this program, Head Start, has given more than 20 million children a chance to succeed in school by providing quality comprehensive services and early education to our Nation's poorest children and families. Like Medicare and Social Security, as well as other safety net programs that help people overcome poverty and become more productive members of society, the Head Start program is now under attack from Republicans. This is nothing less than an attack on our children, on their chance to realize their potential, and on our communities' futures. Like any mother who will fiercely defend our children against any attack, and also as the representative of the Virgin Islands community, which has not only relied on Head Start but also utilized this program efficiently and to maximum effect, I join my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Hispanic Caucus, as well as the Children's Defense Fund and the National Head Start Association, and others, to fight tooth and nail for the best start for our children. The changes to the Head Start program, if passed, would especially have a detrimental effect on minority populations.”