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LINDA SÁNCHEZ APPOINTED TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO SHAPE RENEWAL OF HEAD START PROGRAM

November 7, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-Lakewood) was appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late last night to serve on the conference committee that will reconcile the House and Senate versions of H.R. 1429, the Head Start for School Readiness Act -- legislation to renew the Head Start program.

The conference committee's final version of the bill will then go to the House and Senate for a final up-or-down vote. With approval from both chambers, the bill would then go to the White House for signature by the president. The first meeting of the conference committee will take place on Thursday, November 8.

Head Start was established in 1965 to help prepare low-income children to succeed in school and in life by providing comprehensive services including not just early education, but health and nutrition services, to children and their parents.

“Head Start is a critically important program for many low-income families, giving them the tools they need for their children to succeed in academics and life,” Congresswoman Linda Sánchez said. “I have seen the benefits of Head Start first hand in my own family, so I am very proud to play a role in ensuring that Head Start is strengthened and extended for the benefit of children in years to come.”

Congresswoman Sánchez’ sister, Loretta Sanchez, was enrolled in Head Start as a child and is the first Head Start graduate to ever serve in Congress.

Representatives Linda Sánchez and Howard “Buck” McKeon are the only Southern Californians among the 40 Representatives and Senators who will serve on the conference committee.