A Strong Start for America’s Children

Dear Paul,

Last Wednesday, Save the Children Artist Ambassador Jennifer Garner and I joined Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), Rep. Richard Hanna (R-New York), Education Sec. Arne Duncan, SAS CEO Jim Goodnight and others for the introduction of the Strong Start for America’s Children Act. This groundbreaking legislation will provide preschool to all low- and moderate-income 4-year-olds and expand funding for other early learning programs.

As I noted in a Huffington Post blog the morning of the introduction, more than half the 3- and 4-year-olds in this country do not attend any kind of preschool program. As a result, they start kindergarten behind and may never catch up.

Research continues to mount showing that high-quality early learning programsmake a difference, now and down the line. Education, business, law enforcement, military and religious leaders already agree that we must open these opportunities to more children. Now we need to rally our political leaders to act. As Sen. Harkin said, failing to invest in early learning is against our moral and economic responsibilities.

Please tell your Senators and Representative to support the Strong Start for America’s Children Act. It will take just a few minutes of your time but help give millions of kids a chance at a brighter future.

As always, if you have any thoughts or questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email. I would welcome the conversation.

Thanks for your support.

Warmly,

Mark