Hoyer Delivers Remarks at Judith P. Hoyer Foundation Awards Celebration and Luncheon
GREENBELT, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) delivered remarks at the 7th annual Judith P. Hoyer Foundation Awards Celebration and Luncheon and joined in recognizing this year's honorees: Kent County Judy Center at the Henry Highland Garnett Elementary in Chestertown and DRU Judy Center at The Historic Samuel Coleridge Taylor Elementary School in Baltimore City. Congressman Hoyer introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Martha Kanter, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
"Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here today as we celebrate the work of the Judith P. Hoyer Foundation and recognize excellence at two Judy Centers that are making a real difference for the children and families they serve.
"Frederick Douglass once said that ‘it's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.'
"Such is the philosophy that guided my wife throughout her career, and it is the challenge issued to those working to fulfill her legacy by making Judy Centers a place where children are made stronger through our care, our attention, our lessons, and our love.
"Thanks to those who have made the Judy Centers so successful – in Kent County at the Henry Highland Garnett Elementary in Chestertown, in Baltimore City at the Historic Samuel Coleridge Taylor Elementary, and at the 25 other centers across Maryland – our state has become a recognized leader in integrating early childhood education with the delivery of health and social services. In Maryland, we have presented the rest of our nation with a model of how to do it right.
"I am glad that President Obama recognizes this too, as demonstrated by his visit to the Judy Center at Moravia Park Elementary School in Baltimore in May.
"At Judy Centers across our state, dedicated and talented staff are working every day to help close the achievement gap that affects too many of our children before they even enter kindergarten.
"In 2011-2012, 83% of Maryland kindergarteners were fully school-ready, up from 81% the previous year. But even more telling is that 86% of the children attending Judy Centers entered kindergarten fully ready, compared to 79% of the students without such experience. The percentage of kindergarteners from low-income households who are fully school-ready also rose from 34% in 2001-2002 to 76% in 2011-2012.
"In communities across Maryland, Judy Centers are contributing to a culture of achievement, parental involvement, and a focus on preparedness. These successes will have far-ranging effects on our economy and society, beyond the children our Judy Centers serve. Study after study has shown that strong early childhood education and a healthy start in childhood can significantly expand opportunities later in one's life and career.
"The work of our Judy Centers is not just resulting in better prepared kindergarteners today – it will lead to more college degrees and good jobs for skilled workers tomorrow. That's why I hope to build on their success through legislation to expand the full-service community school model in other states.
"You can be sure my colleagues on Capitol Hill will be hearing about the great work being performed at Moravia Park, in Chestertown, at the Historic Samuel Coleridge Taylor School, and at Judy Centers all across Maryland.
"Today's keynote speaker is a national leader in education policy who has been focused on building a more skilled and competitive workforce, including through investments in early childhood education.
"As Undersecretary of Education, Dr. Martha Kanter works closely with Secretary Arne Duncan to implement President Obama's vision for an education system that works for every child and promotes opportunity for every family.
"Dr. Kanter began her career as a teacher, and she has served as an administrator at San Jose Community College; as Director, Dean, and Vice Chancellor for the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office; and Chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District – one of the largest in our country.
"She was confirmed as Undersecretary of Education in June 2009.
"Dr. Kanter holds a Bachelor's in Sociology from Brandeis University, a Master's in Education from Harvard, and a Doctorate in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco.
"Please join me in welcoming Dr. Martha Kanter."