Senators Scott, Basham, Birkholz, Bishop, Cherry, Clark-Coleman, Clarke, Goschka, Hammerstrom, Hardiman, Jacobs, Prusi, Schauer and Switalski offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 23.

            A resolution commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Head Start program.

            Whereas, On May 18, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced the official launching of the Head Start program; and

            Whereas, Head Start has provided comprehensive services, including health, education, social services, and parent involvement opportunities to millions of children and their families, giving children a “head start” in life. It helps to ensure that children are prepared to succeed in school and become productive adults; and

            Whereas, Head Start has been a pioneer in developing successful approaches for meeting the needs of young children and strengthening early childhood development programs. It provides children with a learning environment and varied experiences that help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development; and

            Whereas, Head Start maximizes the strengths and unique experiences of each child and helps children become physically capable of learning by providing adequate meals and snacks to help meet their daily nutritional needs; and

            Whereas, Head Start directly includes parents in decision making for the program's planning and operation. Members of the Head Start staff have shown a high degree of dedication to children and families across the country; and

            Whereas, Head Start has been widely recognized by the business community, policymakers, and child development experts as an important investment in the future of our country, one that should be made for all eligible children; and

            Whereas, The Michigan Senate supports Head Start's goal of ensuring the availability of comprehensive services to all eligible children; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Head Start program and express our support to the Michigan Head Start Association, Inc., for its continued efforts in meeting the educational, emotional, social, health, and nutritional needs for Michigan children and their families; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to members of the Michigan Head Start Association, Inc., as evidence of our esteem for their valuable contributions.  May they continue to provide many more years of leadership and service to the families of Michigan.