In our third annual ceremony to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of state leaders and early learning advocates, three new National Pre-K Champions were announced to a standing room only crowd on Capitol Hill. This year's recipients -- two advocates, an organization, and a freshman lawmaker -- have demonstrated outstanding advocacy, deployed creative strategies, and proposed federal legislation further propelling the movement toward voluntary, high-quality pre-k for all three and four year old children. Each year, members of Congress and distinguished guests are invited to present Pre-K Champion awards to recipients from their home states during the ceremony.
The following advocates were honored with Pre-K Champion awards on July 16, 2008:
Rep. Mazie K. Hirono
Congresswoman Maize Hirono (D-HI) received the 2008 Pre-K Champion award for her outstanding congressional leadership on H.R. 3282, Providing Resources Early for Kids Act (Pre-K Act). This federal bill, intended to expand high-quality early educational opportunities for more children, is one of only 20 (out of over 800) to be marked up by the House Education and Labor Committee this Congress. Lauded for her tenacity and vision on behalf of young children, particularly as a freshman in Congress, Rep. Hirono's bill -- if passed -- would be the first-ever federal incentive grant to states to improve their pre-k programs.
learn more about the Pre-K Act
Louisiana
Recognized for their outstanding leadership on pre-kindergarten as well as the success of their strategic efforts to expand quality early education for the state's youngest children, Pre-K for All Louisiana was presented with a 2008 Pre-K Champion award. As a result of their tireless efforts to mobilize a coalition of state leaders to educate policymakers, Louisiana may soon join the elite group of states with a common commitment to provide pre-k for all four year olds. The campaign has been advocating for approval of a phased-in expansion of the state's pre-k program, increasing income eligibility in incremental steps until the 2013-2014 school year, when pre-k would be available for all four year olds regardless of income.
learn more from our Louisiana profile
Alabama
Celebrated for urging Alabama to make pre-k a priority, The Alabama School Readiness Alliance and the Alabama Office of School Readiness were honored as 2008 Pre-K Champions. As a result of the organizations' tireless efforts to mobilize a broad coalition of state leaders and educate policymakers about pre-k, both Gov. Riley and the state legislature approved substantial increases for Alabama pre-k this year. This increase will allow the pre-k program to add more than 1,100 students across the state, expanding from 2,250 to 3,384.
learn more from our Alabama profile
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Pre-K Champion Awards
