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For Immediate Release - January 27, 2010

FIRST FIVE YEARS FUND PRAISES PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR STATE OF THE UNION REMARKS SUPPORING STUDENT LOAN REFORM

FFYF Joins President in Urging Passage of Measure that Would Provide New Investments in Early Education and Higher Education

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The First Five Years Fund joins President Obama in calling for swift passage in the Senate of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), which would make important new investments in early childhood education.

In his State of the Union address, the President urged the Senate to address the measure that passed the House last year with bipartisan support. Using savings from reform of the nation's student loan program, the House version of the bill would invest $8 billion over 8 years in the Early Learning Challenge Fund to reform and improve early childhood education.

"A healthier economy depends upon a better educated workforce, and a better educated workforce begins with improved learning experiences in the first five years of life," said Cornelia Grumman, executive director of the FFYF. "This is exactly the kind of investment our nation needs right now."

FFYF is committed to improving the lives of at-risk children by leveraging cost-effective investments in early learning. FFYF aims to focus nationwide attention and resources on comprehensive, quality early care and learning programs for children from birth to age five.

Additional information about the return on investment in early education is available at www.ffyf.org.

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