Chris Dodd for President

Written by Eamon Welch, Field Organizer for Mason City.

With 26 years of experience on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a history of negotiating peace in Central America and Northern Ireland, and the most responsible plan for swiftly redeploying all of our troops from Iraq, it's easy to forget about the extensive and indispensable contributions that Senator Dodd has made to landmark domestic policies in the United States. Senator Dodd's unparalleled record on issues directly affecting working Americans is what especially distinguishes him from the rest of the Democratic field in my opinion. For instance, the National Head Start Association proclaimed him "Senator of the Decade" as a result of his tireless advocacy for children and public education.

On Monday, Senator Dodd toured the Head Start classroom and accompanying facilities at the Washington Early Childhood Center in Mason City, Iowa. The Washington Early Childhood Center is a collaborative project between the North Iowa Community Action Organization (NICAO) and the Mason City school district, and these organizations have done an extraordinary job creating a caring and enjoyable environment for 3 - 5 year old children to cultivate the necessary skills to succeed throughout the remaining years of their education. It was truly an incredible visit.

Upon arriving at the school, Senator Dodd was met out front by Dick Goerdt, Executive Director of NICAO, and Jay Urdahl, County Supervisor and President of the Board of Directors at NICAO. Senator Dodd was led into the classroom where he was introduced to the Head Start teacher, Jennifer Martin. Mrs. Martin has a remarkable story. As a single mom on welfare, Mrs. Martin utilized the opportunities provided by the government to attend 4 years of college and receive her teaching degree. This is just another example of how Senator Dodd's unwavering support for federal policies that provide opportunity for all Americans produce tangible benefits for real people.

Once in the classroom, Senator Dodd was greeted by a group of buoyant children who were eager to welcome their new visitor. Senator Dodd wasted no time making friends with the students. Sitting in the front of the classroom, Senator Dodd picked up the story "Five Little Bats Flying in the Night" and began to read. Senator Dodd animatedly encouraged the participation of the children by asking them to count the number of bats and identify colors, and I'm pretty sure he was having as much fun as the 15 or so students surrounding him.

Before he left the school, Senator Dodd went outside to view the impressive playground facility and give interviews to local press. Demonstrating his knowledge of both Head Start and community action issues, Senator Dodd emphasized the important role programs like Head Start, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and Low Income Home Energy Assistance have in our society. These programs provide an incredibly important safety net for America's working families. Overall, Senator Dodd displayed the principles and qualities that ensure he'll be a great leader for our country, and I was once again reminded why I'm so honored to work for his presidential campaign.

Chris Dodd talks about his experience visiting a Head Start classroom, as well as the value and need for continuing to keep Head Start programs well-funded nation-wide.

This morning Senator Dodd joined Colleen Mehaffey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa to walk a day in her shoes. Colleen is a teach at Urban Head Start -- every day she gets up at 6:30 AM to get to work by 7:15. Her class of 14-20 three and four year-olds (size varies depending on the time of year) arrives between 7:30 and 9:00. Today the kids ate breakfast, shucked corn, churned butter, and wrote in their journals -- all before lunch time. Walk A Day is facilitated by the SEIU, as Colleen and her coworkers at Head Start are all SEIU members. Walking a day in her shoes allows presidential candidates like Senator Dodd to have a chance to see what a woman like Colleen goes through on a typical day. For most candidates who take part in this program, the hope is that seeing how funding from Washington effects working Americans and their children will impart on them a sound belief as to why it's critically important to keep programs like Head Start well funded. Colleen was happy to learn that Senator Dodd is already a strong supporter of Head Start. For nearly 20 years, Chris Dodd has worked to expand access to the Head Start program, to ensure that it is fully funded, and to constantly seek new and innovative strategies to improve the program, including facilitating collaboration between Head Start and other early childhood development programs. For his efforts, the National Head Start Association named him “Senator of the Decade.” Senator Dodd talking with Colleen Mehaffey Breakfast time at Head Start: "Kid tested, Senator Approved" Reading to the kids