George Voinovich: “I rise today to discuss the Early Care and Education Act of 2002 which was introduced today by Chairman Kennedy. I am…”

“I rise today to discuss the Early Care and Education Act of 2002 which was introduced today by Chairman Kennedy. I am proud to have been invited by him to work on this legislation, together with the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Gregg, and the other distinguished cosponsors. Early childhood development is a true passion of mine. In fact, one of the first bills I introduced when I came to the Senate in 1999 was an early childhood development bill targeting children from prenatal through age three. And the following year I was pleased to work with Senators Stevens and Kennedy on the Early Learning Opportunities Act. Leading researchers from the distinguished National Research Council and Institute of Medicine emphasize that the first years of a child's life are the most important time in a child's development in terms of socialization and brain synapses, both of which are necessary for learning. As a fiscal conservative, I believe that one of the best investments the federal government can make is in 0-3. Providing comprehensive early care that includes physical, social, emotional and cognitive development makes a real difference in a child's future because it not only prepares them for preschool, but also carries through to provide success from K through 12.”