Sean Reyes: “Fifty-three years ago, a 6-year-old boy was sent to school by his parents. I was born on a farm, and in Texas one has to…”

“Fifty-three years ago, a 6-year-old boy was sent to school by his parents. I was born on a farm, and in Texas one has to go to school when they are 6 years old. The problem was that we only spoke Spanish in my house. So about 10 other kids and I were moved to kindergarten from first grade because the teacher did not speak Spanish, and we did not speak English. That did not work too well; so they decided that we were holding back the kids of kindergarten; so they devised a new grade that was called prekinder at that time. That was 53 years ago. So those that are wondering why we are apprehensive about the changes that they want to make in a program that works, if that program had been in place 53 years ago, I and nine other brothers and sisters that followed me would have been much better off. We made it, but how many kids do not make it? And if we change Head Start, Head Start that is working today, shame on all of us as Americans. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the so-called 'School Readiness Act.' This bill is a direct attack on the Head Start program.”