April 11, 2006

Pridemore named outstanding legislator for work on behalf of children

OLYMPIA – For his leadership in boosting funding for school breakfast programs, Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, has been named a 2006 “Champion for Children” by the Children’s Alliance.

Pridemore was a key advocate during the 2006 legislative session for eliminating the co-pay on reduced-price school breakfasts and increasing funding for Washington’s school breakfast and summer meal programs. The Legislature included $2 million in the supplemental budget for these programs, which will provide food for an estimated 15,000 additional children.

“We can’t expect children to learn when they’re distracted by hunger,” Pridemore said. “Unfortunately, all too many students in Washington start their school day on an empty stomach. This is a small way to put all kids on a level playing field.”

Washington is the first state to eliminate the co-pay for reduced-price school breakfasts, according to the Children’s Alliance.

Pridemore, who is vice chair for higher education on the Senate Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education Committee, also championed several other measures this session to help Washington’s students. He sponsored Senate Bill 6699 to give college students some relief from the sticker shock of high textbook prices, and supported increased access for higher education (including 500 new enrollment slots and the new opportunity grant program to support low-income students enrolling in high-demand fields such as nursing, engineering, science and math).  

The Children’s Alliance is a Seattle-based child advocacy group focusing on policy issues including foster care, early learning, health, hunger, juvenile justice and child abuse.

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