Bipartisan Group to Kick Off Head Start Debate Jan. 29

1/28/2003

From: Tracy Zimmerman or Lynsey Kluever, 202-518-8047 both for the National Head Start Association

News Advisory:

The National Head Start Association (NHSA), together with a bipartisan Congressional group, will kick off the debate about Head Start reauthorization on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The program will include research on the effects of poverty, research on Head Start's effectiveness, testimony from Head Start alumni, discussion of NHSA's new Reauthorization Agenda -- "A Head Start for a New Generation," and conclude with a rally on Capitol Hill.

WHO:

-- HONORARY CO-CHAIRS: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) (a) Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) (a) Sen. Chris Dodd (D- CT) Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) (a) Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE) (a) Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN) Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA) Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) (a) Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) (a) Rep. George Miller (D-CA) Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA) (a) Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) (a) Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA) (a)

(a) Indicates that Member will speak at hearing, schedule TBA

-- Early child development and social researchers, teachers, Head Start Directors, parents, students, and alumni

WHAT: NHSA Hearing and Rally on Capitol Hill

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 9 AM to Noon EST

WHERE: 325 Russell Senate Office Building

RSVP: Tracy Zimmerman, 202-518-8047; tracy@PublicInterestPR.com

The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a private not-for-profit membership organization representing more than 923,000 children, upwards of 180,000 staff and more than 2,400 Head Start programs in America. NHSA provides a national forum for the continued enhancement of Head Start services for poor children ages 0 through 5, and their families. It is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to the concerns of the Head Start community.