I thank the gentleman from California very much. Summer schools offering migrant children remedial work on a noncompulsory basis have found that attendance is sharply limited because the children who would benefit most are employed in farmwork. Thousands of migrant families leave the South for work farther north each April and May. Although as much as 2 months may remain in the school year. these families rarely enroll their children in school in the communities to which they have moved. This is a human tragedy and particularly for youngsters who also need every possible aid in obtaining an education which would equip them for work and occupations outside the migratory groups and give these children equal opportunity. as I have stated. Migrant children need to be freed of work which is too hazardous and fatiguing for a youngster. Mr. Speaker. a material start toward meeting the needs of our migrant children was made earlier this year through enactment of the Public Welfare Amendments of 1962. This law. authorizing funds for child daycare services. will make it possible to provide migratory children with healthful recreation and proper supervision while their parents are at work. The next step. through enactment of S. 1123. is to remove the obstacles to normal childhood and adequate education for the migrant that is imposed by permissible child labor. Mr. Speaker.
Keywords matched
migrant Migrant