The Hill: Elmo, Cookie Monster Help Launch Pre-K Caucus

This article was published in The Hill on April 14, 2016. A link to the article can be found here.

By Luke Barr

Elmo and the Cookie Monster from "Sesame Street" joined lawmakers on Thursday to help launch the Congressional Pre-K Caucus.

The televison stars sparked smiles and laughter from lawmakers and children, who came together for an important cause.

Caucus members said they hope to expand early education opportunities for young children.

"When people have a strong start in education it helps them continue and do well in school and then graduate from high school and go on to college," Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-Texas), a caucus co-chairman, told The Hill.

Castro also praised the efforts of his brother, Housing Secretary Julián Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, who backed similar efforts in his hometown.

"That's why my brother pushed the pre-K initiative in San Antonio, which has been a model for the nation," he said.

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass), a co-chairwoman, said she and her husband realized the importance of quality, affordable childcare when they started raising young boys.

"I remember when my husband and I came to the realization that my entire paycheck was going to pay for childcare, and that is a story that plays itself out, across America, everyday," she said.

Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md) also stressed the importance of early education for children. He said it was important to "get them when they are four or five, first grade, second grade, so they don't get involved with negative behavior."

Sesame Workshop CEO Jeff Dunn was also on hand with Elmo and the Cookie Monster. Dunn said he admired the bipartisan nature of the caucus, which also includes GOP Reps. Richard Hanna (N.Y.) and Tom Cole (Okla.) as chairmen.