Holly Barnes Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org

(Washington, DC) – Pre-K Now executive director Libby Doggett commented on today's approval of H.R. 3289, the PRE-K Act, by the House Committee on Education and Labor.

"We are grateful to Chairman Miller, Congressman Castle and other leaders on the House Education and Labor Committee for their strong endorsement today of high-quality state pre-k programs, and we heartily congratulate Congresswoman Hirono for her leadership on this issue!

"The committee’s bipartisan approval of her bill, Providing Resources Early for Kids Act (the PRE-K Act) is a huge win for America’s children and families. It’s also an important affirmation that children are neither red nor blue – and ensuring they get quality programs during their critical early years is fundamental, not political.

"After so many states have taken the lead on pre-k, it’s gratifying to see the House education committee step up in partnership with states by approving the bill. We look forward to action by the full House of Representatives."

Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. The following funders contribute to making this important work possible: The Pew Charitable Trusts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the McCormick Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, RGK Foundation, CityBridge Foundation, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.

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• Letter to Committee Members, urging support for the PRE-K Act, signed by Pre-K Now and others
• Facts About the PRE-K Act