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| December 14 , 2007 |
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Dear Friend — |
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2007 has been a busy year for creating and passing education legislation! I am proud of the work this Congress has done to provide students with the resources and support they need to be successful. The links below highlight major education legislative accomplishments from this year:
Education bills I introduced this year:
Thank you for your interest and shared support on one of my most important priorities: education. ......................................... Senator Murray Helps Strengthen Head Start Senator Murray helped pass the final version of the Head Start for School Readiness Act that improves the vital early childhood development program that gives disadvantaged children a leg up at school. The bill was signed by the President on December 13, 2007 and is now public law no:110-116. The Head Start reauthorization builds on the program’s success by ensuring accountability, increasing access, expanding services, and incorporating parents as well as child and family agencies into the decision-making process. The law also increases funding authorization for Head Start to:
“This law provides a blueprint for success for the children who need it most. As a former pre-school teacher, I know first-hand that effective early learning can have an enormous impact on our children’s future.” Senator Murray also played a key role in shaping this reauthorization as a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and served on the Conference Committee in charge of negotiating the final version of the bill. Senator Murray worked particularly hard to include provisions to increase Head Start access for homeless and foster children. The law improves transportation for these children and places a priority on enrolling them. Senator Murray also fought to increase the voices of parents in decision-making on local Head Start issues. "I’m also pleased that this law makes progress in improving access for homeless and foster students," said Senator Murray. "These children face enormous challenges from birth and their future success needs to be our immediate priority." Key provisions included in the law ......................................... Senator Murray Kicks Off Effort to Address Washington State Workforce and Education Needs with U.S. Senate Hearing in Seattle Senator Murray chaired a hearing of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety in
"The days when someone could move easily from high school to a family-wage job have long been a thing of the past," said Senator Murray. "The truth is that most new jobs require at least some education and training beyond high school, even at the entry-level. Unfortunately, we aren't doing enough to prepare our young people for these jobs." "In order for us to truly address our workforce needs, we need to bridge the gaps between education and the skills employers are demanding. Today, we are bringing together workforce experts, students, employers, labor leaders, and educators to draw up a blueprint for success." Participant comments from the hearing Students, state urged to fill the void in the work force - Seattle PI ......................................... Senator Murray Introduces Legislation to Fund Green Energy Programs on College Campuses in Washington State and Nationwide Senator Murray introduced the Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007 (HESA) to develop and stimulate energy programs that are sustainable and environmentally-friendly. HESA authorizes $50 million to be administered through a competitive grant program to colleges and organizations partnering with colleges. The grant program is expected to support between 25 and 100 sustainability projects annually. Examples of activities that would be funded with the grants authorized in the bill include renewable energy research, green energy business school classes, professor training, and campus-wide green energy projects. "Colleges are a natural breeding ground for the kind of innovation we need to move to new, environmentally-friendly energy sources," said Senator Murray. "Our young people know the stakes. They know that developing sustainable energy programs will affect their lives, their economic well-being, and the planet they are inheriting. These grants will help college students take the reins of the movement to make energy last longer and have less of an impact on our environment. If we are to truly embrace the energy sources of tomorrow, then investment in them must begin today." Details of the Higher Education Sustainability Act Many Washington state colleges and universities have partnered with Senator Murray to support her bill. - Full list of supporters |
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