Rep. Patton Awarded for Historic Investment in Early Childhood Care and Education

Mission: Readiness Ohio this week honored Representative Tom Patton (R- Strongsville) with the "National Security Leadership Award" for his support of historic investments made in early childhood care and education in the state's operating budget, which was signed into law earlier this year. 

"It is vital that we as state legislators keep early education investment at the top of our priority lists," said Patton. “I understand how important early education is for the development of our children throughout Ohio, and I am honored to be given the National Security Leadership Award by Brigadier General Charles Dillard and Major General Paul Sullivan.”

Dillard and Sullivan both presented the award to Patton during a ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse this past week.

“Fewer than 30 percent of young adults qualify for the military.  This is a national security challenge. Research informs us that high quality programs focused on infants and toddlers as well as pre-school can significantly improve their life outcomes and prepare them for service in the military or workforce," said Sullivan.  “We thank the legislature for addressing this issue with historic investments in critical early childhood programs.”

Mission: Readiness Ohio is part of a national military leadership organization comprised of over 700 retired military Admirals and Generals. The organization began in response to a Pentagon statistic that approximately 71 percent of young adults are ineligible for the military due to fitness, education or legal qualifications.