LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 3, 2015, as Early Childhood Education Advocacy Day 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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 3, 2015, as Early Child-
hood Education Advocacy Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, In today's economy, when having both parents in the workforce
is an economic necessity for many families, there is a vital need for
affordable, high-quality early childhood opportunities; early childhood
care and education is not a side issue, or a women's issue, and must
become a national priority; and
WHEREAS, The state's youngest children are more likely than ever to be
living in poverty, and it is more urgent now to invest in expanding
quality early learning opportunities to keep children learning and
parents earning; and
WHEREAS, Investments in quality pre-kindergarten and child care enable
children to learn the social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills
they need to function as good citizens, good workers, and good parents;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, children who receive a high quality early child-
hood education are more likely to graduate from high school, attend
college and earn higher wages over their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, During the first five years of life, the brain is developing
at a rapid speed, and the foundation for all of life's learning is
established at this time; children require optimal care, education and
stimulation to build the brain's capacity to learn throughout the rest
of their lives; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent that we increase resources that will provide
for our youngest citizens, enabling them to grow to create, develop and
implement the ideas that will sustain our communities, state, nation and
world; and
WHEREAS, By focusing on the importance of high quality early childhood
education, child care, and parent support programs, facilities and
staff, participation in Early Childhood Education Advocacy Day repres-
ents 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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 3, 2015, as
Early Childhood Education Advocacy Day in the State of New York; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the Child Care Resources of Rockland, Inc.