By Kayleigh Sommer | Valley Morning Star

SAN BENITO — U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-California, was named an honorary citizen of San Benito by Mayor Joe Hernandez Thursday morning.

Becerra along with U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, visited with city officials, parents and administrators at the Neighbors In Need Of Services Head Start Center in San Benito.

Head Start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition and social services in addition to education and cognitive development services.

NINOS began in August of 1990 and has grown to include approximately 30 Head Start centers, seven Head Start/Early Head Start centers, and three Early Head Start centers.

“Given Congressman Becerra’s senior Democratic leadership position and his commitment to education and health care access, I thought it was important to bring him to South Texas to visit NINOS Head Start and Community Action’s School Based Health Center,” Vela said.

Both Becerra and Vela were treated to breakfast with parents of students, Hernandez, City Manger Manuel Lara and several center administrators.

A group of 3- to 4-year-olds performed for the crowd, dancing and waving ribbons to upbeat music.

Becerra, who is the fourth-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, is chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, which is responsible for nominating the House Democratic leadership and serves as a forum to develop and communicate legislative priorities. As chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Becerra helps set priorities.

“Ensuring that entities such as NINOS, Inc. and Community Action Corporation of South Texas receive sufficient funding to educate and provide health care to children is vital to South Texas. 

Fortunately, the recent budget bill that passed Congress restored Head Start funding to pre-sequestration levels,” Becerra said.

Vela said Head Start teaches, nurtures and feeds thousands of students before they enter public education and studies show those students thrive through their educational careers.

Congressmen Support Head Start