A resolution designating May 1, 2005, as "National Child Care Worthy Wage Day".

Mr. President, I rise today, along with Senators Lautenberg, Bingaman, Dodd, Durbin, Feingold, Inouye, Kerry, Boxer and Kennedy, to speak about a resolution supporting National Child Care Worthy Wage Day. It is my hope that it will bring attention to early childhood education and the importance of attracting and retaining qualified childcare workers.

Every day, approximately 13 million children are cared for outside the home so that their parents can work. This figure includes 6 million of our Nation's infants and toddlers. Children begin to learn at birth, and the quality of care they receive will affect them for the rest of their lives. Early childcare affects language development, math skills, social behavior, and general readiness for school. Experienced childcare workers can identify children who have development or emotional problems and provide the care they need to take on life's challenges. Through the creative use of play, structured activities and individual attention, childcare workers help young children learn about the world around them and how to interact with others. They also teach the skills children will need to be ready to read and to learn when they go to school.

Unfortunately, despite the importance of their work, the committed individuals who nurture and teach our Nation's young children are undervalued. The average salary of a childcare worker is just under $18,000 annually. In 1998, the middle 50 percent of child care workers and preschool teachers earned between $5.82 and $8.13 an hour, according to the Department of Labor. The lowest 10 percent of childcare workers were paid an hourly rate of $5.49 or less. Only one third of our Nation's childcare workers have health insurance and even fewer have

pension plans. This grossly inadequate level of wages and benefits for childcare staff has led to difficulties in attracting and retaining quality caretakers and educators. As a result, the turnover rate for childcare providers is 30 percent a year. This high turnover rate interrupts consistent and stable relationships that children need to have with their caregivers.

If we want our children cared for by qualified providers with higher degrees and more training, we will have to make sure they are adequately compensated. Otherwise, we will continue to lose early childhood educators with BA degrees to kindergarten and first grade, losing some of our best teachers of young children from the early years of learning.

In order to bring attention to childcare workers, I am sponsoring a resolution that would designate May as National Child Care Worthy Wage Day. On May 1 each year, childcare providers and other early childhood professionals nationwide conduct public awareness and education efforts highlighting the importance of good early childhood education.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in recognizing the importance of the work and professionalism that childcare workers provide and the need to increase their compensation accordingly. The Nation's childcare workforce, the families who depend on them, and the children they care for, deserve our support.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 137, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble be agreed to, en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record, without intervening action or debate.