The Children's Movement of Florida Takes To the Road: "Milk Parties" Marshal Support for Florida's Children

Supporters urge gubernatorial candidates to participate in a debate on children's issues sponsored by The Children's Movement of Florida and the University of Miami

ABOARD THE CHILDREN'S EXPRESS, September 2010 – The Children's Express is rolling through Florida, stopping in 15 cities for "Milk Party" rallies and sharing this message: Children must become the state's highest priority and candidates for governor must attend a debate on children's issues sponsored by The Children's Movement of Florida and the University of Miami.

Organized by The Children's Movement of Florida, the citizen-led, non-partisan series of "Milk Parties" began on Sept. 6 in Pensacola and will end on Sept. 30 in Key West. The events include appearances by movement leaders, children's advocates, entertainers and local celebrities. Refreshments include milk and cookies.

The objective: To educate political, business and civic leaders – and all parents in Florida – about the urgent need to improve the way we care for our children, making the well-being and education of our youngest and most vulnerable citizens Florida's highest priority.

Special concentration is being focused on early childhood, the years from birth through five years old, when science tells us that 90 percent of human brain development occurs.

The thousands of supporters who attend these events also are being asked to contact Florida's gubernatorial candidates and urge them to participate in a debate – devoted exclusively to children's issues – organized by The Children's Movement of Florida and set for Oct. 16 at the University of Miami.

"The crowds flocking to these Milk Parties demonstrate that citizens who care about early childhood issues in Florida have the power and ability to demand – and produce – change on behalf of our children," said David Lawrence Jr., president and co-chair of The Children's Movement of Florida, founding chair of The Children's Trust of Miami-Dade County and retired publisher of The Miami Herald.

The need is clear: 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. Hundreds of thousands of children in Florida are not covered by health insurance. The state's prekindergarten program does not meet most national standards. And more.

"It's sad, even sinful," Lawrence said. "To put it simply and clearly, all of Florida's children – particularly the very young – deserve to be our first priority when deciding how the state's resources are spent."

To fund this first phase of the movement, the million-dollar initial goal has been raised from foundations, individuals and businesses. No public funds are being used. Lawrence and other leaders of The Children's Movement of Florida emphasized that the movement is not advocating higher or new statewide taxes. Rather, it will work in coming years to ensure that all of Florida's children receive a bigger piece of the budgeting pie.

"This is not about raising taxes," said Roberto Martinez, co-chair of The Children's Movement, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and a member of Florida's State Board of Education. "This is about raising children."

The Children's Movement of Florida is supported by a broad and non-partisan coalition that includes hundreds of children's advocates and others. The movement's 27-member statewide steering committee consists of 12 Republicans, 12 Democrats and three independents.

"When it comes to what’s best for Florida’s children, there should be no partisanship," Martinez said.

For more information about the “Milk Party” rally in your coverage area, about the origins, objectives and leaders of The Children's Movement of Florida, and about the current state of Florida's children, please visit www.childrensmovementflorida.org/