[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 47 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 47
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 14, 2005
Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Commending the establishment in College Point, New York, of the first
free, public kindergarten in the United States.
Whereas in 1854, Conrad Poppenhusen, a successful businessman from Germany,
built a factory in College Point, Queens, New York, and, breaking with
many entrepreneurs of his time, worked to create an environment
beneficial to the immigrant community, which included schools;
Whereas the Poppenhusen Institute was established in 1868 with a $100,000
donation;
Whereas the Poppenhusen Institute was to serve the fundamental educational needs
of the community and began as a free adult evening school for the
residents of Flushing Town;
Whereas in 1870, the Poppenhusen Institute's services expanded to serve as the
first free, public kindergarten in the United States for the children of
Mr. Poppenhusen's factory and the community;
Whereas children who attend a high-quality kindergarten demonstrate higher
levels of reading and mathematics knowledge and skills than those who do
not attend kindergarten;
Whereas a number of studies, including studies commissioned by the Department of
Education, demonstrate that children enrolled in kindergarten more
rapidly acquire the knowledge and skills integral to succeed in school
and life;
Whereas the United States is a stronger, better place because of the children
who are able to enrich their academic and social development through
free kindergartens across the country;
Whereas for some children, kindergarten is the first common ground where they
interact with students from a myriad of cultural, economic, racial, and
religious backgrounds to learn about their world, each other, and
themselves; and
Whereas universal, free, high-quality kindergarten for the Nation's children
provides benefits both to these children and to society at large: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That--
(1) the Congress commends the Poppenhusen Institute and the
College Point community for establishing the first free, public
kindergarten in the United States; and
(2) the Congress supports the strong beginnings
kindergartens across the United States provide for the Nation's
children.
Passed the House of Representatives June 13, 2005.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.