Los Angeles area business leaders gathered recently at the City Club on Bunker Hill to lend their support to LAUP and the preschool cause. They also heard from speakers who urged them to get involved for the sake of children and the region's future economic well-being.

Speaking to an audience of 85 people, Victor Palmieri, J.D., Chairman of LAUP's Governing Board, stressed the importance of LAUP working closely with the business community to make increased accessibility to quality preschool possible.

"To make any progress, we have to have a partnership with the business community," he explained.

David Rattray, Senior Vice President of Education & Workforce Development with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber recognizes the importance of early childhood education. He cited its support of Proposition 82 in 2006 - the universal preschool ballot measure that failed to get majority approval. Rattray said the Chamber stands ready to join LAUP in its current efforts to expand preschool opportunities.

"We'll be a huge supporter in L.A. for you," he said. "We'll be right there with you to make quality preschool education available to every kid in L.A."

Guest Speaker John Deasy, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, told the business leaders that preschool education is a critical component of a child's ability to succeed in school.

He said a quality preschool education provides a child with the foundation he/she needs to reach their fullest potential in school. He equated early childhood education to "social justice" for children, especially those in the lower income strata.

"Students not in preschool are almost immediately identified in kindergarten and immediately identified in first-grade," he noted. "Readiness to learn is critical."

Dr. Deasy said preschool has been proven to help ensure that students will graduate from high school, and noted those who attend are 70 percent less likely to commit a crime. He then concluded by urging the business community to support LAUP's efforts to expand preschool opportunities.

Rob Gilmore, Chairman of LAUP's Corporate Council, thanked the audience for attending the event, and urged them and their companies to get involved to support and promote LAUP's preschool cause in Los Angeles County.

"There's no more important issue to our society as we move forward. The child that starts behind (in school) , stays behind," he explained.

LAUP would like to thank the following sponsors who made the Nov. 18 event possible:

LAUP would like to thank the following sponsors who made the Nov. 18 event possible: Scholastic, Inc., UPS, Kaplan Early Learning Co. and James E. Blancarte.