By Senator Tom Harkin

In 1991, the Committee on Economic Development issued a landmark report titled "The Unfinished Agenda: A New Vision for Child Development and Education."  The group consisted of some of the top business executives in America who took a tough-minded look at American education, and concluded that the highest rate of return on investment for our education dollars would come from investing in early learning from birth to age five.

More recently, in 2010, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - again, tough-minded business executives - issued a major report.  And their report concluded that quality early learning is critical to our national economic security.

If we fail to invest in children early on, during the period of their most rapid development, those children are more likely to enter school behind. If the playing field is unleveled at the outset, how can we hope to remain a nation of promise and prosperity for all? It is with that in mind that I have introduced the Strong Start for America's Children Act, a bill that would greatly expand access to high-quality early learning experiences for children from birth to kindergarten entry.

Something that we need to expunge from our lexicon is the term "pre-school."  There is no such thing as pre-school because we know that learning begins at birth and the preparation for learning begins before birth.  My bill reinforces this idea by ensuring that our most vulnerable children have the support they need to be healthy, happy, and ready for school on the first day of kindergarten. We start by creating new early learning quality partnerships, so that Early Head Start grantees can partner with center-based and family child care providers to offer infants and toddlers full-day, full-year, high-quality services.

I also proposed a new federal-state partnership to accelerate the work currently being done in states to support high-quality early learning for 3- and 4-year olds.  To receive funding through the partnership, states must support programs that are of high-quality, meaning programs must have well-trained teachers, low class sizes, low child-to-staff ratios, curricula that are developmentally appropriate, and programs must provide other services that support the non-academic needs of kids, including nutritious foods, physical activity, and strong parent and family engagement.  These are the kinds of common-sense, research-based activities and services that any parent would want for their child, and they also reflect the type of support that many states and communities are currently providing in their early learning programs.

I want to thank President Obama for calling for this deep investment in early learning during his State of the Union.  This legislation follows through on that vision.  But it will also face opposition from those who say we can't afford it.  The evidence and research around early learning is too strong to ignore and if we don't invest now, we will pay for it later in the form of high school drop-outs and crowded prisons.  Quite simply, failing to invest in high-quality early learning is against our moral and economic responsibility as a nation.

For more information, please visit Senator Harkin's website at  http://harkin.senate.gov/, or follow him on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/ and Twitter  https://twitter.com/.

A PDF version of this article is available here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today nominated 53 Iowa students for appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Military Academy, West Point for the 2014 class.

"An academy nomination is a great honor.  Not only is there intense competition across the State of Iowa, but in order for an individual to be nominated, he or she must demonstrate superior leadership, academic, and athletic abilities," Harkin said.  "Nominees also must exhibit the necessary motivation for serving in the demanding role of a career military officer and be of outstanding moral character.  I am pleased to nominate these students and would like to congratulate them for their many outstanding achievements."

In a typical year, Harkin receives more than 150 applications from young Iowans interested in pursuing a career as a military officer.  Students apply for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; or the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

Academy nomination finalists are interviewed by Senator Harkin's Academy Selection Board, during which time their motivation, poise and self-expression are measured.  Harkin may nominate up to ten applicants to compete for each available vacancy.  From the Senator's nominees, the academy then selects the final candidate who will be offered an appointment.

After March 1, 2014, men and women between the ages of 17 and 22 who are interested in pursuing a nomination to one of the academies for the class entering in 2015, should go to http://www.harkin.senate.gov and complete Senator Harkin's online Service Academy application, or contact Senator Harkin's Cedar Rapids Office at (319)365-4504.

A list of this year's nominees is below.

Ankeny

Caroline Schmell has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Caroline is the daughter of Cindy Schmell and Gerald Schmell and is a senior at Ankeny High School.

Bettendorf

Cole Bunn has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Cole is the son of Lisa and James Bunn and is a senior at Bettendorf High School.

Bettendorf

Micaela Finney has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Micaela is the daughter of Sherril and Charles Finney and is a senior at Bettendorf High School.

Bettendorf

Kyle Hollenback has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Kyle is the son of Jennifer and Craig Hollenback and is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School.

Blue Grass

Alex Reed has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Alex is the son of Cindy and Jeff Reed and is a senior at Davenport West High School.

Bondurant

Clayton Beck has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Clayton is the son of Susan and Blair Beck and is a senior at Bondurant-Farrar High School.

Boone

Jennifer Behn has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Jennifer is the daughter of Dennise and Herry Behn and is a senior at Boone High School.

Brooklyn

Rhett Nowotny has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Rhett is the son of Danielle and Rob Nowotny and is a senior at HLV Community High School.

Carroll

Seth Horesley has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Seth is the son of Kristina and Duane Horsley and is a senior at Carroll High School.

Cedar Falls

Jacob Pence has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jacob is the son of Amy and Jason Pence and is a senior at Cedar Falls High School.

Cedar Rapids

Nicholas Swartz has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Nicholas is the son of Julie and Tim Swartz and is a senior at John F. Kennedy High School.

Clive

Benjamin Halley has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Benjamin is the son of Alyson and Brett  Halley and is a senior at Waukee High School.

Clive

Connor McCann has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Connor is the son of Jana and Troy McCann and is a senior at Valley High School.

Clive

Henry Oberman has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Henry is the son of Karen and Tony Oberman and is a senior at Waukee High School.

Clive

Devinder Sandhu has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Devinder is the daughter of Daljit and Pardip Sandhu and is a 2010 graduate of Valley High School. She is currently serving with the Iowa Air National Guard.

Clive

Zachary Zimmerman has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Zachary is the son of Stephanie Bratton and Douglas Zimmerman and is a senior at Valley High School.

Coralville

Hannah Fairfield has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Hannah is the daughter of Catherine and Clare Fairfield and is a senior at West High School.

Coralville

Ryan Holte has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Ryan is the son of Julie and Jim Holte and is a senior at Iowa City West High School.

Coralville

Connor Schueler has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Connor is the son of Kerry and Darrel Schueler and is a senior at Iowa City West High School.

Council Bluffs

Gustave Doll has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Gustave is the son of Elizabeth and Scott and is a senior at St Albert High School.

Davenport

Walter DeDoncker has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Walter is the son of Jody and John DeDoncker and is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School.

Davenport

Roy Schindler has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Roy is the son of Shana and Kurt Schindler and is a senior at Davenport Central High School.

Des Moines

Nick Biancalana has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Nick is the son of Brenda and Tony Biancalana and is a senior at Roosevelt High School.

Des Moines

Harrison Farrell has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Harrison is the son of Janet and Richard Farrell and is 2013 graduate of Dowling Catholic High School.  He is currently attending the U.S. Military Academy Prep School in West Point, New York.

Des Moines

Jessica Thomerson has been nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Jessica is the daughter of Katy McKee Richmond and Joseph Thomerson and is a senior at Dowling High School.

Dubuque

Kaizer Gukeisen has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Kaizer is the son of Kathy and Michael Gukeisen and is a senior at Dubuque Senior High School.

Fort Madison

Nick Krone has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Nick is the son of Carolyn Krone and is a senior at Holy Trinity Catholic High School.

Griswold

Jose Olivo has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Jose is the son of Lisa Petry and Jose Olivo and is a 2013 graduate of Griswold High School.  He is currently attending the U.S. Military Academy Prep School in West Point, New York.

Harlan

Luke Schmitz has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Luke is the son of Kristine Schmitz and Alan Schmitz and is a 2013 graduate of Harlan High School.  He is currently attending Morningside College in Sioux City.

Ida Grove

Jacob Matthies has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jacob is the son of Becky and Dan Matthies and is a senior at OA-BCIG High School.

Iowa City

Neil Harte has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Neil is the son of Lyudmila and Willis Harte and is a senior at City High School.

Marion

John Gorman has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. John is the son of Cathy and Joseph Gorman and is a senior at Marion High School.

Mason City

Lauren Casey has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Lauren is the daughter of Shelly and Edward Casey and is a senior at Mason City High School.

Mitchellville

Cameron Lawler has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Cameron is the son of Donna and LaBrent Lawler and is a senior at Southeast Polk High School.

Monticello

Nicholas Meyers has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Nicholas is the son of Debra and David Meyers and is a senior at Monticello High School.

Norwalk

Ethan Pieper has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Ethan is the son of Alayne and Melvin Pieper and is a senior at Norwalk High School.

Otley

Joshua Bailey has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Joshua is the son of Stephanie and Scott Bailey and is a senior at Heritage Christian Academy.

Parnell

Maeve Broeg has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Maeve is the daughter of Lenni and Kirtis Broeg and is a senior at Williamsburg High School.

Reinbeck

Peter Meyers has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Peter is the son of Laura and Joel Meyers and is a senior at Gladbrook Reinbeck High School.

Sibley

Matthew Vander Ploeg has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Matthew is the son of Dorothy and Verle and is a senior at Sibley-Ocheyedan Community High School.

Sioux City

Drew Piersma has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Drew is the daughter of Teresa and Scott Piersma and is a senior at North High School.

Sioux Rapids

Katie Gibson has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Katie is the daughter of Carolyn Gibson and is a senior at Sioux Central High School.

Solon

Erin Evans has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Erin is the daughter of Lisa and Donald Evans and is a 2013 graduate of Solon High School.  She is currently attending Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Solon

Lance Evans has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Lance is the son of Lisa and Don Evans and is a senior at Solon High School.

Solon

Austin Hunt has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Austin is the son of Sandra Schebler and Jeff Hunt and is a senior at Solon High School.

Solon

Matthew Quinn has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Matthew is the son of Geralyn and Mark Quinn and is a senior at Solon High School.

Springville

Shannon Gorman has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Shannon is the daughter of Mitsue and Joseph Gorman and is a senior at Cedar Rapids George Washington High School.

State Center

Phillip Ramierz has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Phillip is the son of Lisa and Esteban Ramirez and is a senior at Vilseck High School in Vilseck, Germany.

Story City

Thomas Wilgenbusch has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Thomas is the son of Erin and Michael Wilgenbusch and is a senior at Roland-Story High School.

Urbandale

Dalton Doom has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Dalton is the son of Tamara and Bruce Doom and is a senior at Waukee Community High School.

Waukee

Anamaria Angel has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Anamaria is the son of Jean Angle and Jose Angle and is a senior at Van Meter CSD High School.

West Burlington

Conner Tillo has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Conner is the son of Leigh Ann and Ted Tillo and is a senior at West Burlington High School.

West Des Moines

Emily Junker has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Emily is the daughter of Chris Junker and Vince Junker and is a senior at Van Meter High School.

CANTON, MO (12/10/2013)(readMedia)-- Culver-Stockton is hosting "A Weekend of One-Acts," where students in Culver-Stockton College's theatre program take the director's chair for their senior capstone project. This is a Culver-Stockton tradition, dating back to the 1930's when students competed for the Mahan Awards.

Ian Sodawasser, senior musical theatre major from Davenport, Iowa, is one of seven students directing a one-act play. In addition to directing, participants are also responsible for choosing the play, casting performers, blocking and wardrobe. Sodawasser has chosen to present "Waiting for Julia" by George Freek.

Some performances are appropriate for mature audiences only. Admission is free and open to the public.

Culver-Stockton College, located in Canton, Mo., is a four-year residential institution in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). C-SC specializes in experiential education and is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer the 12/3 semester calendar, where the typical 15 week semester is divided into two terms, a 12-week term and a 3-week term.

Celebrate the season in a whole new way with the Davenport Public Library's Harry Potter holiday bash, "Winter at Hogwarts." Whether by apparition, portkey, or car (flying or otherwise), join us at the Eastern Avenue Branch Library on Saturday, December 7th at 7:00pm for a fantastical winter evening in our corner of the wizarding world. Come enjoy snacks and beverages from the Harry Potter universe, participate in a handmade and store-bought costume contest, try your hand at classroom activities, and see if you can pass our Harry Potter trivia contest. Registration is required for this FREE program for all ages. To register, or for more information call (563) 326-7832