Manchin Visits Head Start Facility in Dunbar
Highlights need to prioritize critical programs that benefit West Virginia’s children
**Photo Available**
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today visited a Head Start facility in Dunbar to discuss the program with teachers after the U.S. House of Representatives vote to decimate funding for the program.
“Our kids are a priority,” Senator Manchin said. “Our America values taking care of the children who have a tougher start in life, and that’s why Head Start is so important. Some in Washington want to blindly hack at our budget with no sense of our values as a country. The idea that we would cut Head Start funding cut through my heart like a knife. The America I know would not cut funding for children who deserve a chance at success, at least not without looking at other options.”
Senator Manchin is traveling the state on a weeklong tour that is focusing on “Our Values, Our Priorities.” He will highlight a different issue each day: creating jobs, strengthening our families, protecting our seniors, growing small businesses and achieving energy independence.
Manchin’s trip to Head Start was part of Tuesday’s focus on “Strengthening Our Families.”
The cuts that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last month would take more than 1,300 West Virginia children out of the Head Start program. More than 8,000 children in the state rely on Head Start to improve their chance for success in later school years.
While at the Dunbar facility, Manchin discussed the importance of Head Start with teachers and parents who were present, and joined dozens of toddlers on the playground and for a game of soccer.
Highlights and themes for the week include:
- Monday: Creating Jobs: Speech at University of Charleston at 10 a.m. in Charleston
- Tuesday: Taking Care of our Children and Families: Tour of Head Start Facility, 9:45 a.m. in Dunbar
- Wednesday: Keeping our Promises to Seniors: Major Legislative Announcement and Roundtable on Seniors Issues, 10:15 a.m. in Charleston
- Thursday: Supporting Small Businesses: Visits to Main Street in Sutton and Gassaway, “Coffee and Common Sense” Event in Gassaway
- Friday: Achieving Energy Independence: Visit to the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown and a Town Hall meeting in Fairmont
A public schedule follows, with possible additions later in the week.
**For Planning Purposes**
Public/Media Schedule for Senator Joe Manchin
MONDAY, March 21
Our Values, Our Priorities: Creating New Jobs
Manchin introduces the week’s focus, with speech on “Our Values, Our Priorities” to students at the University of Charleston.
When: 10 a.m.
Where: University of Charleston, Pharmacy School, Room 111, Charleston
What: Sen. Manchin will deliver a speech highlighting his agenda for the weeklong work period: focusing on West Virginia’s values and priorities.
Visit Hurricane Middle School
When: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Where: Hurricane Middle School, 518 Midland Trail, Hurricane
What: Sen. Manchin will tour the technology education lab and speak with students.
Visit Main Street in Point Pleasant
When: 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Point Pleasant
What: Sen. Manchin will visit with small business owners and residents as he walks in downtown Point Pleasant.
Visit Toyota Motor Manufacturing
When: 4 – 5 p.m.
Where: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, 1 Sugar Maple Lane, Buffalo
What: Sen. Manchin will meet with Toyota officials and speak with employees.
**Media who are interested in attending should RSVP to press@manchin.senate.gov
TUESDAY, March 22
Our Values, Our Priorities: Taking Care of Our Families
Tour Head Start Facility and Press Availability
When: 9:45 a.m.
Where: Shawnee Community Education Center, 142 Marshall Ave., Dunbar
What: Sen. Manchin will visit the Head Start facility in Dunbar and take questions from the media.
Visit Jackson County Courthouse
When: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Jackson County Courthouse, 214 West Main Street, Ripley
What: Sen. Manchin will tour the Jackson County Courthouse and speak with residents.
WEDNESDAY, March 23
Our Values, Our Priorities: Keeping Our Promises to Seniors
Major Legislative Announcement and Roundtable on Seniors Issues
When: 10:15 a.m.
Where: W. Kent Carper Justice and Public Safety Complex, First Floor Conference Room, 301 Virginia Street East, Charleston
What: Sen. Manchin will host a roundtable on seniors’ issues and introduce new legislation to benefit seniors.
Lunch at Boone County Senior Center
When: Noon – 1 p.m.
Where: Madison Danville Community Center, 768 Lick Creek Road, Danville
What: Sen. Manchin will have lunch with seniors.
Visit Logan High School
When: 2 – 2:35 p.m.
Where: Logan High School, One Wildcat Way, Midelburg Island, Logan
What: Sen. Manchin will visit Logan County High School
Visit Logan County Courthouse
When: 3 – 4 p.m.
Where: Logan County Courthouse, Courthouse Square, Logan
What: Sen. Manchin will visit the Logan County Courthouse and speak with residents.
THURSDAY, March 24
Our Values, Our Priorities: Supporting Small Businesses
Visit Main Street in Sutton
When: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Where: Main Street, Sutton
What: Sen. Manchin will visit local businesses on Main Street in Sutton.
Visit Main Street in Gassaway
When: 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Where: Main Street, Gassaway
What: Sen. Manchin will visit local businesses on Main Street in Gassaway.
“Coffee and Common Sense” in Gassaway
When: 11 a.m.-Noon
Where: Red Rooster Café, 602 Elk Street, Gassaway
What: Sen. Manchin will host “Coffee and Common Sense” at the Red Rooster Café in Gassaway to hear the concerns and priorities of West Virginians.
Entrepreneurs’ Innovation Roundtable
When: 2:15 p.m.
Where: Room 1220, Building 2000, Dow Technology Park, 1740 Union Carbide Drive, South Charleston
What: Senator Manchin will join Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce John Fernandez, members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation and West Virginia entrepreneurs for a roundtable discussion.
FRIDAY, March 25
Our Values, Our Priorities: Achieving Energy Independence
Visit NETL
When: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory, 3610 Collins Ferry Road, Morgantown
What: Sen. Manchin tours NETL and speaks with officials.
Town Hall Meeting
When: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Marion County Knights of Columbus, 1529 Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont
What: Sen. Manchin will hold a town hall meeting to hear West Virginians’ commonsense priorities and concerns.
Second Annual Basketball Game at the Kenneth “Honey” Rubenstein Juvenile Center.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Kenneth “Honey” Rubenstein Juvenile Center, 141 Forestry Camp Road, Davis
What: Sen. Manchin will participate in Second Annual Basketball Game with Rubenstein Cadets.
Senator Manchin meets with children, parents and teachers at the Head Start facility in Dunbar.
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