In the mid-twentieth century, the economic deprivation and the scourge of World War II gave birth to a social compact. This compact was about each generation taking care of next. Social Security for the elderly - paid for by working adults. And a social safety net - including public education - for children.

The compact said: We not only take care of our own children, and our neighbors’ children. We take care of children we don’t know. We take care of children who are poor. We take care of children being raised by one parent. We take care of children whose bodies are broken - or whose bodies are healthy but whose spirits are broken.

They are all our children. And they are all our responsibility.

To give Oregon children the new and brighter day, I’m asking you - and all the citizens of Oregon - to sign onto a Children’s Charter for Oregon.

• Every child in Oregon is safe, healthy and has adequate food and shelter.

• Every younger child in Oregon is ready to enter school.

• And every older child in Oregon graduates from high school and is ready to join the workforce or go on to college.

This is about a call to action.

If we work to implement these three principles, I believe that Oregon can have a brighter, and healthier future.

• K-12 Funding
  The Governor said in January that he would be guided by several principles. First and foremost, he said that especially in tough economic times like these, children must go to the head of the line. With the enactment of HB 2152 and HB 5077, the Governor and the legislature provided $5.3 billion in K-12 funding to provide Oregon students with a full school year, reasonable class sizes and adequate programs.
  

• Fighting Hunger
  Governor Kulongoski tackled the problem of hunger in Oregon head-on, convening the Summit on Hunger on February 27, 2003, and using the bully pulpit to bring awareness of hunger - particularly among children - to the forefront of Oregonians’ consciousness. He spearheaded public service announcements and billboards, helped raise money for the Oregon Food Bank through bowling challenges and shepherded legislation for the summer food program (SB 287), the Women, Infants and Children farmers market program and the seniors’ farmers market program (SB 500, SB 501).
  

• The Oregon Health Plan
  After months of negotiation and compromise, the OHP has been rebuilt, with continued coverage for all those currently eligible and expanded coverage for children (HB 2511, HB 3624).

• Governor´s Remarks at Benefit Lunch for Children First for Oregon
• Report on Effects On K-12 Education in a Balanced Budget