: September 2009 |
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Senator Kennedy Leaves Legacy of Service On Tuesday, August 25th, Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy passed away after battling brain cancer for more than a year. In his nearly 47 years in the United States Senate, Senator Kennedy made an indelible impact on the lives of American children and families through programs and initiatives that so many of us take for granted today. Though he is gone, the results of his efforts remain. Sen. Kennedy has played a significant role in countless aspects of federal policy, improving the lives of children and families for decades. He was a strong supporter of the first comprehensive federal aid for public schools: the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Sen. Kennedy helped ensure that a free and appropriate public education would be provided for every child. He authored the Family and Medical Leave Act, requiring employers to provide unpaid leave after childbirth and for family emergencies. Sen. Kennedy also championed the passage of the National Military Child Care Act, establishing the Department of Defense's revered child care system. Sen. Kennedy was particularly dedicated to Americans in financial distress. His efforts to help sustain those Americans most in need of help included the creation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, providing health coverage to children from low-income families, and the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program, which offers food, health services, and nutrition counseling to low-income women, infants, and children. Without question, Sen. Kennedy could not have succeeded in achieving these changes on his own. Throughout his career, he was known for working across party lines, facilitating the difficult compromises and concessions that are necessary to enact laws. During Sen. Kennedy's protracted illness, his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) was largely undertaken by the committee's next ranking Democrat, Senator Chris Dodd. Details on whether Sen. Dodd will relinquish his current role as Chair of the Senate Banking Committee in order to head the HELP Committee full time are not yet forthcoming. Additional Resources
PTA Launches Online Take Action Advocacy Toolkit To help child advocates speak up for the health and well-being of all children, PTA created an online advocacy toolkit. These new tools, designed for all members, are how-to's for building relationships with members of Congress, working with the media, and understanding the legislative process. Check out the PTA Take Action Center to access these exciting new advocacy tools. PTA Takes Action Advocacy Toolkit includes information on:
In the upcoming months, PTA plans to grow this toolkit with additional resources to empower child advocates in affecting sound policy that benefits our children. Additional Resources
PTA Releases Policy Issue Briefs on Key Legislation New issue briefs created by National PTA's Office of Public Policy provide an in-depth analysis of four pieces of legislation that address our key policy priorities: the Elementary and Secondary Education-No Child Left Behind Act (ESEA-NCLB), Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). Each issue brief details the history of the law and PTA's involvement on the issue, explains current provisions in the legislation, and provides contact information and additional resources that advocates can use to learn more and take action. These briefs are intended to provide PTA members with knowledge about legislation on which PTA makes federal policy recommendations in its Public Policy Agenda. Members can use the explanations of each law's history and current provisions to deepen their understanding of and provide input on policy recommendations.
The Child Nutrition Act, ESEA-NCLB, and JJDPA are up for reauthorization this year. IDEA will expire in 2010. Additional Resources
Senator Blanche Lincoln is Featured on PTA Radio In August, PTA Radio featured an interview with Senator Blanche Lincoln, (D-Arkansas). In the interview, Sen. Lincoln shares her experiences as a PTA mom and how she applies her passion to her work in Congress on behalf of all children. The August 4th edition of PTA Radio featured an interview with Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), who made history in 1998 when she became the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Senate at the age of 38. Sen. Lincoln shares in the interview how she became involved in her sons' PTA and the impact that parents have in their children's education. PTA is proud to recognize Sen. Lincoln as a tireless champion of child nutrition and school wellness policies, and a national leader in the fight against hunger. As the founder of the Senate Hunger Caucus, she has focused her attention on the millions of American families, especially children, who go hungry each and every day. Senator Lincoln and her husband, Dr. Steve Lincoln, are the proud parents of twin boys, Reece and Bennett. To listen to this inspirational interview, visit PTA's newsroom. Originally launched in 2008, PTA Radio is an online radio show focused on education and family issues while providing easy, real-life tips and information. Anyone can listen to PTA Radio on-demand and catch a quick show online at their leisure with the click of a mouse.
Spotlight: New Mexico PTA Hosts Congressional August Recess Event In July, Federal Legislative Chairs (FLCs) were asked to gear up for the Congressional August recess. In response, New Mexico PTA, in collaboration with National PTA and the Albuquerque mayor's office, hosted the Making the Connection event on August 22, engaging over 900 children, parents, family members, and policy makers for a day of giving, activities, information and free family-fun. The Making the Connection event built off of two other initiatives, including National PTA's Urban Family Engagement Initiative and the White House's ‘United We Serve' initiative, for which National PTA serves as a key partner. The event was held at Tingley Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the New Mexico PTA Clothing Bank and the Urban Family Engagement Initiative provided the first 500 children a PTA backpack filled with school supplies. Over 500 Scholastic books, both in English and Spanish, were also provided to encourage parents to begin building a library at home. Additionally, over 300 children received free haircuts. New Mexico PTA presented Congressman Martin Heinrich (D-NM) with the Family Engagement Award for his dedication to his family. A working father who travels home from Washington DC every Friday, he ensures that he still spends quality time with his two young children. To stay engaged in his children's lives, the congressman utilizes teleconference technology to read bedtime stories and help with homework. Congressman Heinrich is committed to family engagement in schools and understands its connection to student achievement. Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chávez was also honored with the Making the Connection Award for his strong support and declaration that family, school, and community collaborations within urban schools are instrumental for children's educational success. Albuquerque Public School Superintendent Winston Brooks received the Progressive Leader Award for securing and supporting community resources for families in need, including the PTA Clothing Bank, which assists over 5,000 children every year. Additional Resources
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