Senate Resolution No. 2148

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMENDING the Charles R. Drew Early Learning
Center upon the occasion of hosting a Week of the
Young Child Celebration, in conjunction with the
observance of the National Week of the Young Child
on April 26, 2017

WHEREAS, New York State has long been committed to meeting the
educational needs of all its children; and

WHEREAS, It is increasingly being recognized that a strong early
education helps to provide the educational foundation which is of
paramount importance to the health, well-being, and development of
children; and

WHEREAS, The Week of the Young Child, celebrated since 1971,
provides an opportunity for people across this great State and Nation to
consider the needs of young children and families, and how to most
effectively meet them; and

WHEREAS, The Week of the Young Child is an annual April celebration
sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC), the nation's largest organization of early childhood
professionals, which has more than 90,000 members; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing the importance of early childhood years, birth
through age eight, in shaping children's learning and development and,
therefore, their success in school and later in life, The Week of the
Young Child calls attention to the needs of young children, their
families, and the early childhood programs which serve them; and

WHEREAS, It is increasingly clearly documented that a good start in
life can promote learning and prevent impairment, while an adverse
learning environment can compromise brain function and place children at
risk of developing a variety of cognitive, behavioral, and physical
difficulties; yet a significant number of children confront one or more
major risk factors, such as inadequate health care, parents who lack
adequate family and community support, substandard child care and
education, poverty, or insufficient attention by parents because of
workplace or other pressures; and

WHEREAS, By focusing on the importance of high quality early
childhood, child care, and parent support programs, facilities and
staff, participation in The Week of the Young Child represents a worthy
commitment to our children's future and encourages improvement in the
quality and availability of programs and services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Charles R. Drew Early Learning Center upon the occasion of
hosting a Week of the Young Child Celebration, in conjunction with the
observance of the National Week of the Young Child, and to applaud those
who have dedicated their lives to our children, and to recognize the
significance of the role children of New York State will play in shaping

the future of our State, our society, and our government; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Charles R. Drew Early Learning Center.