Kids' rally stresses needs

The Children's Movement of Florida is planning a Sept. 30 "Milk Party" at Key West High School on behalf of the state's children.

The local rally, which will be held on the last day of the monthlong campaign to make children the state's highest priority, is one of 14 such events throughout Florida, which kicked off on Monday.

The rallies include appearances by children's advocates, entertainers, local celebrities and supporters. In keeping with the theme, refreshments will include milk and cookies.

A customized bus dubbed The Children's Express will carry the group from city to city on "The Children's Movement Road Tour."

The objective is to educate political, business and civic leaders -- and all parents in Florida -- about the need to improve the way the state cares for its children, making the well-being and education of our youngest and most vulnerable citizens Florida's highest priority, the organization said in a prepared statement issued last week.

Florida regularly ranks in the bottom half of states in child health, largely due to the high rate of babies born underweight and children who die within their first year of life, the group said.

"Through the sheer magnitude of these rallies and the thousands of supporters who attend them, we will show influential leaders in Tallahassee and everywhere else that we have the power to obtain for Florida's children the resources they require and deserve," said David Lawrence, co-chairman and founder of the movement.

Lawrence, a former publisher of The Miami Herald, also is founding chairman of the Children's Trust of Miami-Dade County. He was in Key West last week to meet with a Children's Movement steering committee.

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