For Immediate Release

Contact: Tammy Sun
(202) 547-0001, tsun@dlc.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In honor of Mother's Day, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) released a new paper urging every leader in America to give working moms more effective tools to create safer and better communities in which to raise their children. The paper, Helping Mothers Succeed:12 Ideas for Governing, presents initiatives designed to give parents time to be parents, help them protect their kids from harm, and create opportunity for their children.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said: "Today's moms face new challenges that didn't exist when my children were younger, and they shouldn't be alone in their fight to raise children successfully. There's no job that requires greater commitment, which is why I strongly support this DLC paper outlining the best tools that state and local public officials around the country are giving parents to help their children get the best possible start in life."

Sebelius continued, "In Kansas, we have given parents peace of mind and created opportunity for all children through such programs as Kansas Mentors, which encourages caring adults to get involved in kids' lives, and Internet safety efforts, which give kids and parents the tools and skills they need to stay safe online. I encourage public officials and mothers across America to embrace the 12 ideas outlined in this paper so we create safer and more supportive communities for moms and children."

Al From, Founder and CEO of the DLC, said: "There is no DLC leader more capable of speaking on this issue of helping mothers succeed than Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Her many legislative success in Kansas as well as the life she has lived as a working mother speak to how important it is to do whatever we can to advance the core values of family and community that are so important in the Democratic party."

The Democratic Leadership Council seeks to promote public debate within the Democratic Party and the public at large about national and international policy and political issues. For additional information, web users may access the Democratic Leadership Council online at www.dlc.org or contact the DLC's communications office at (202) 546-0007 or at press@dlc.org.