National Head Start Association Statement on Death of Sen. Edward Kennedy

This today from the NHSA Web site after the announcement was made that Sen. Edward Kennedy passed away after a fight with brain cancer:

Senator Kennedy was a life-long champion of the people of Massachusetts. He was also a champion of children, especially our nation's neediest children. Each and every one of us involved in early childhood education owes this man a debt of gratitude for all he has brought to the Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Kennedy was instrumental in the passing of the 1964 enactment of the federal Head Start program serving low-income and at-risk preschoolers. Since the agency was implemented in 1965, Kennedy championed its reauthorization ever since.