"Children are the most worthwhile assets in which Oregon can invest. When the private and the public sectors work in tandem to ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive, our state will see a high return on our investment. My colleagues and I in the Legislature affirmed this value this month by funding $1 million in new money for the Early Head Start program, while protecting Head Start from any budget cuts through the 2009-2011 biennium.
Without the tremendous and invaluable assistance Head Start and Family Stepping Stones provide, Oregon’s youth would surely suffer. One of the foremost responsibilities of government is to maintain the best services and support possible for the next generation.
As a father and a legislator, I know first-hand the wonderful progress that can be made when a child’s potential, which may begin as a mere whisper, is supported and cultivated until it becomes a great roar. We must invest in the future, and we must invest in our children. We have done just that during the 2010 Legislative Session, and our success today is a stepping stone on the path to developing tomorrow’s leaders.
It is an honor to represent you in the Oregon House of Representatives."
