Press Release
For Release on August 14, 2013
Contact: Terry Carter
213-700-5617
On National Day of Action to Stop Harmful, Senseless Cuts to Early Education…
Early Educators tell Members of Congress:
“If you can reverse sequestration for flight schedules, you can do it for little kids!”
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| San Pedro child care provider Robin Grant speaks to Congresswoman Janice Hahn’s staff members Deputy District Director Eric Boyd and District Director Elise Swanson. |
LOS ANGELES, CA—Thousands of concerned parents, educators, and community leaders across the country descended on district offices of our nation’s congressional leaders today to insist that mindless sequestration cuts don’t harm children.
Here in Los Angeles, child care providers and Head Start teachers delivered a letter to members of Congress—signed by local community groups, parent advocates, and social justice organizations—that describes the devastating impact these cuts have on our youngest learners. Letters were delivered to Representatives Tony Cardenas (29th District), Linda Sanchez (38th District), Lucille Roybal-Allard (40th District), Judy Chu (27th District), Gloria Negrete McLeod (35th District), and Janice Hahn (44th District).
Research shows that 90% of brain development has already occurred by the time children enter kindergarten. President Obama and other leaders around the country agree that quality early learning is the key to closing the education gap, while Congress plows ahead on plans that cut these very programs.
“Folks in Washington, D.C., claim that there’s nothing they can do to stop these cuts,” said Barbara Williams, a child care provider from Colton. “I wanted to remind them that if they can reverse budget cuts to make sure we have air traffic control towers that keep our flights on time, they can certainly do the same for our most precious national resource: our kids.”
Early educators targeted key Southland legislators who hold positions of influence in congressional committees making decisions that impact children and families. These early care and education professionals are building a coalition of community leaders and partner organizations to continue pushing for investment in early learning.
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SEIU Local 99 represents nearly 45,000 employees in public and non-public organizations in early education, child care, K-12, and community college levels. SEIU Local 99 members are: Teacher’s Assistants, Playground Workers, Special Education Aides, Bus Drivers, Gardeners, Custodians, Cafeteria Workers, Maintenance Workers, Family Service Workers, Child Care Providers, and others working in schools, colleges, and administrative offices throughout Southern California.
