In America, we know that quality education and a fair shot at work is the path to the middle class, economic security, and getting ahead. Today we have an opportunity to make an important bipartisan action to help strengthen that path to…

Of all the low-wage workers, again these people earning up to $11.50 an hour, about a fifth of them are in families earning--with a total income less than the Federal poverty threshold.

We certainly hear a lot of commentary about most of these workers being minors.

As I understand it, the National Longitudinal Transitional Study notes that students with disabilities are graduating college at a national rate of about 34 percent from 4-year degree programs.

This UW Whitewater program is lifting that up to about 48 percent in 6 years.

Investments in early learning improve education outcomes, support families, and also make basic economic sense.

I am proud to say that Wisconsin has long been a leader in investing in our children early.

I would like to thank you both as well as my other colleagues on the committee for holding this hearing on high-quality early learning, which is essential to fulfilling both the promise of the American Dream and the fundamental American…

It is my sincere hope that this bipartisan push for pre-K in States across our country will soon be mirrored on Capitol Hill.

I would like to thank the Chairman for his commitment to early childhood education, and I look forward to hearing from our panelists today and am grateful for their testimony and expertise.

addressing these other deficits will help us out of our fiscal deficit because it sets the foundation, in my opinion, for long-term economic growth.