Congressional hearings on American children and youth living in crisis were conducted in an effort to determine how the needs of these young people can assume their proper place in national priorities. A three-pronged strategy was suggested by chairman Edward Kennedy: (1) more investment in cost-effective programs that work (for example, Head Start); (2) investments in families that will build on their strengths; and (3) support for young children who need to break the poverty cycle. The report of the hearings includes testimony and prepared statements from numerous witnesses, including those representing the states of Utah, Connecticut, Florida, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia; the Committee for Economic Development, Minnesota; Project UpLift; YouthBuild; the National Education Association; the YMCA; the Council of Chief State School Officers; South Carolina ETV; All Our Children; Public Affairs Television; the Commission on Work, Family and Citizenship; the National Council of La Raza; the American Academy of Pediatrics; the American Public Welfare Association; the American Medical Association; the Child Welfare League of America; the National League of Cities; and the Association of Junior Leagues International. (LB)