News release
Moms and Legislators Join Children in Relay Race Across Capitol Lawn for Early Learning
September 16, 2015
Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996
Message to legislators: Children are “Miles Ahead” with Quality Early Learning & Affordable Childcare
On Thursday, September 17, at 10:00am dozens of children, moms, dads and leaders will dash around the Capitol grounds in the “Miles Ahead with Early Learning” relay race. The pint-sized runners will be joined by members from MomsRising.org and the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), and national legislators. The run is being held to highlight the fact that quality, affordable child care and early learning programs set our kids up for success from start to finish.
10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 17
U.S. Capitol Grounds, Area #9
First Street N.E. @ Constitution Ave N.E.
Washington, DC
Attending:
- Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
- Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Representative David Price (D-NC)
- Libby Doggett, Early Learning Deputy Assistant Secretary at U.S. Department of Education
More TBA
Seventy-five or more children, geared-up in tiny sweatbands and race bibs, will run, or toddle, in the relay race – a visual demonstration to legislators of the affordable child care and high-quality early learning that sets the pace for a child’s future. Legislators and advocates, including MomsRising.org Executive Director/CEO Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner and NWLC Director of Child Care and Early Learning Helen Blank, will provide brief remarks about the urgency of supporting investments in early learning.
Following the relay race, advocates will hand out medals to legislators inscribed with the phrase “Early Learning Champion.” In addition, they will share compelling stories from parents, teachers and business leaders about the critical role early learning plays in strengthening children’s skills and knowledge to prepare them for school and life.
“The more than 1 million members of MomsRising across the country care deeply about ensuring that children have access to high-quality, affordable early learning and childcare – especially since child care costs more than college,” remarked Rowe-Finkbeiner. “We must make sure all children can race to a strong start with excellent early learning programs.”
“It’s clear that the first five years sets the pace for a child’s future,” says Blank. “High quality child care builds reading, language skills, and healthy habits that are the cornerstone for their futures. It also enables parents to work and support their families. Now, more than ever, it’s time to fully support significant investments in early learning so that our children, our communities and our economy will reap the benefits.”
EXPECTED SCHEDULE
Children will kick-off the Miles Ahead with Early Learning relay race in front of the U.S. Capitol, along with moms, advocates and legislators.
10:00 A.M.-10:15 A.M.
- Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, MomsRising
- Libby Doggett, Early Learning Deputy Assistant Secretary at U.S. Department of Education
- Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
- Representative David Price (D-NC)
10:15 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
- Entertainment for children by The Great Zucchini
10:30 A.M. – 10:45 A.M.
- Mile Ahead with Early Learning Relay Race
10:45 A.M.-11:00 A.M.
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
- Helen Blank, National Women’s Law Center Director of Child Care and Early Learning
Speaking times are approximate, as are speaking orders within time slots. Please call for specifics if needed.
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The National Women's Law Center is a non-profit organization that has been working since 1972 to advance and protect women's equality and opportunity. The Center focuses on major policy areas of importance to women and their families including economic security, education, employment and health, with special attention given to the concerns of low-income women. For more information on the Center, visit: www.nwlc.org.
The Strong Start for Children Campaign is an ever-expanding, diverse effort of national, state, and local groups united in support of increased federal early childhood investments and the President’s Preschool Proposal, which would expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities for low-and moderate-income children and families. The Campaign has three goals: increase public awareness about the importance of the early years to a child’s success in school and in life, build support among public officials for greater investments in early learning, and expand the voices of support for young children and their families.