LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 22-28, 2012, as The Week of the Young Child in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, New York State has long been committed to meeting the educa-
tional 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 para-
mount 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 Chil-
dren (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 fami-
lies, 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 educa-
tion, poverty, or insufficient attention by parents because of workplace
or other pressures; and
WHEREAS, By focusing on the importance of high quality early child-
hood, child care, and parent support programs, facilities and staff,
participation in The Week of the Young Child represents a worthy commit-
ment 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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 22-28, 2012, as
The Week of the Young Child in the State of New York, 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 tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.