Head Start Mourns the Passing of Former Senator Mike Enzi

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Head Start Association’s Executive Director Yasmina Vinci issued the following statement on the legacy of the former U.S. Senator from Wyoming Mike Enzi who passed away on Monday at the age of 77.

“The Head Start community mourns the loss of former Senator Enzi, a thoughtful leader and longstanding champion for Head Start in Wyoming and across the country. Over the course of his many years in the Senate, Senator Enzi worked diligently across the aisle to improve the lives of children and families. We are forever grateful for his leadership and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family.

In his career, Senator Enzi served as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, where his leadership was instrumental in passing the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, which reauthorized the program. The Senator also served as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee from 2015 until his retirement in January. Thanks to Senator Enzi, Head Start was able to expand comprehensive services for our nation’s youngest learners and offer hope and opportunity to entire communities.

In recognition of his enduring commitment to supporting children and families, NHSA presented Senator Enzi with the Dr. Robert E. Cooke Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest award presented to Head Start’s congressional champions, in September 2019.”

“I want to ensure that all children are better prepared—not only for success in school, but also for success later in life,” Senator Enzi said, upon receiving the award. “I’m deeply touched to receive this recognition and appreciated talking with folks who work every day to provide building blocks for our future leaders.”