Facts In Action

In February, Sen. Christopher Dodd and Rep. George Miller introduced the Dodd-Miller comprehensive Act to Leave No Child Behind. Not to be confused with the President's "No Child Left Behind" education bill, this legislation was developed by the Children's Defense Fund to ensure that every child has a "Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start and a Safe Start" in life.

The Act to Leave No Child Behind provides federal support to:

• ensure every child a head start and better education
• assure more children have a place to call home
• expand tax relief to help low-wage working families become self-sufficient
• assure that every child has enough to eat
• support positive youth development measures

During a Children's Defense Fund call-in day on March 19, constituents asked their U.S. Senators and Representatives to support this bill. However, it is not too late to lend your support through a phone call or e-mail.

To find out who your legislators are:
call (800) VOTE-SMART or look online at www.vote-smart.org. The U.S. Capitol Switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.

For more information:
contact: The Children's Defense Fund at (202) 662-3671, or online at www.childrensdefense.org.

Facts in Action, March/April 2003