WHEREAS,  the Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the world's largest early childhood education association; and

WHEREAS,  its Maine affiliate, the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children, has over 325 members, including teachers, leaders and parents of young children; and

WHEREAS,  the purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs; and

WHEREAS,  the future of Maine depends on the quality of life we provide to Maine's young children today; and

WHEREAS,  as parents, teachers, lawmakers and community leaders, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that special care and attention is given to young children to enable them to grow and mature into loving, capable, considerate and productive adults; now, therefore, be it