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The time for Florida’s youngest children to make a significant statement about their future is now.

Encouraging preschoolers to communicate their hopes and dreams are some very prominent Floridians.

Former Florida Governors Bob Graham, Bob Martinez and Buddy MacKay, acting on behalf of former Governors Reubin Askew, Claude Kirk and Wayne Mixson, along with Rhea Chiles, wife of the late Governor Lawton Chiles, have sent a letter to each of Florida’s 160 senators and representatives inviting participation in this year’s Picture the Future event which gives pre-k children the opportunity to depict their dream jobs through art projects following a classroom educational program on careers complete with presentations by seniors and community leaders.

To date, nearly 20,000 children have registered for Florida’s 2nd Annual Picture the Future, kicking off the week of November 12th.

The former governors in their letter of invitation also recognized this year’s Picture the Future honorary co-chairs, Dr. Charles Crist and Mrs. Nancy Crist of St. Petersburg.  The Crists have supported children’s educational and charitable causes for decades and are the proud parents of Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

Click here to read the letter of invitation to Florida’s policy-makers.

The former governors and Mrs. Chiles have commented publicly about the benefits of a high quality prek program.  Earlier this year, they penned an opinion editorial that appeared in Florida’s leading newspapers, stating, “Research shows that teachers who have a bachelor's degree create superior learning environments. They have more responsive interactions with children and provide richer language and learning experiences.”

The former governors and Mrs. Chiles went on the record in their capacity as honorary co-chairs of Seniors4Kids, sponsored in Florida by Generations United and Children’s Campaign, Inc.

Click here to read the complete editorial.

The benefits of a high quality pre-k program extend to future economic productivity, reduced crime, and higher graduation rates.  But significant numbers of children are not ready for first grade and there exists differences in opportunity.

“Nearly half of the children in Florida start school behind, creating an achievement gap that widens with each passing year. We all have an enormous stake in ensuring that children enter school ready to learn,” stated Martha Barnett in a direct mail piece that reached thousands of citizen leaders across the state.  Barnett is former president of the American Bar Association and partner in the law firm Holland & Knight LLP.

The investment in Florida’s pre-k program will more than pay for itself.  According to Florida TaxWatch, taxpayers could save upward of $5.3 billion annually if Florida implemented a high quality pre-k program.  

Click here for more information on Florida’s 2nd Annual Picture the Future.

The event is being sponsored by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation through Voices for America’s Children, Chapman Family Foundation, and Pre-K Now.

Event partners include Children’s Campaign, Inc., Early Childhood Association of Florida, Generations United, Ingram Accounting and Consulting, and participating child care centers and organizations across Florida.