Henry Cuellar: “I think the gentleman agrees with me that educational programs alone are no guarantee. These programs are successful…”

“I think the gentleman agrees with me that educational programs alone are no guarantee. These programs are successful only with the inspiration of our parents, the support of our community, and the hard work of our students. Many educational programs are threatened by this budget which includes the Upward Bound Program, the Talent Search, the GEAR UP among other programs. But I think today, if the gentleman would allow me just a few minutes to talk about one program, and that program exemplifies what it means to offer opportunity to an individual, what it means to offer opportunity to a family, a community and a country. I think the gentleman is familiar with this program called Even Start. The budget calls for a $225 million cut from the Even Start program. That is a cut that would basically eliminate this program. In my own State, there are 90 Even Start programs in the State of Texas serving more than 5,500 families. In my part of the district, Seguin, Texas, there are 60 families that depend on this. This is a very remarkable program that allows the parents to learn along with the children, where they are able to get their GED, where they are able to pull themselves up and not only educate their children but also to get trained, educated so they can get a job. It provides a sense of pride that makes them better parents, and that is what we are trying to do through our educational system.”