Head Start Honors Rep. Nita Lowey for Commitment to Children and Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Head Start community honored retiring Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) last week for her leadership in Congress on early education, maternal and infant care, and women’s health issues. In a resolution passed by the Board of Directors of the National Head Start Association on November 18, Chairwoman Lowey was applauded for her work as chair and ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee to improve the lives of children and families across the country by increasing funding for Head Start by nearly 40 percent over just eight years.

“A trailblazer and advocate, Ms. Lowey’s ability to lead with her values, work across the aisle, and achieve notable successes on behalf of children has endeared her to the Head Start community forever,” NHSA Board Chairman Damon Carson said in the resolution. “Ms. Lowey’s tremendous and steadfast congressional leadership has advanced the cause of early childhood education and Head Start programs nationwide. Her tenure in Congress is best captured by her ceaseless commitment to children and families, and among the Head Start community, her legacy is embodied by the countless lives she changed as she shaped Congress’ funding agenda for the betterment of our nation.”

Lowey will retire at the end of the year after 32 years in Congress. The funding increases she supported through the appropriations process for Head Start have strengthened and grown the prenatal-to-age five early childhood development and family support program by supporting the retention of a high-quality workforce, providing resources to address the mental health and behavioral challenges of at-risk children, expanding access to services for families with infants and toddlers, and extending the hours of service programs can offer the children and families they serve. When COVID-19 added another layer of difficulty in the lives of the Head Start community, Lowey responded quickly by securing a critical $750 million in emergency relief funding for programs nationwide to address unanticipated expenses created by the pandemic and continue serving as a stabilizing source of support for America’s most at-risk children and families.

The resolution concludes, “[T]he Head Start community reflects on Ms. Lowey’s time in Congress and is immensely grateful for the action she took time and again to further our shared commitment to children and families. Each year, she contributed to building Head Start’s foundation, expanding its reach, and securing its impact for generations to come.”

Read the full resolution, adopted on November 18, 2020.