House Democrats have circulated a draft 2008 legislative calendar and vote schedule, reflecting a somewhat lighter workload that is traditional in an election year. [IMGCAP(1)]

The House will return for the second session of the 110th Congress on Jan. 15, 2008, with a target adjournment date set for Sept. 26. Five district work periods are planned, corresponding with Presidents Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July Fourth and the August recess.

According to the draft, the House would be scheduled for just three five-day workweeks next year — one each in March, June and August.

At the beginning of this Congress, Democrats implemented a five-day workweek schedule, but after resistance from Members of both parties, Democratic leaders agreed to scale back the work schedule for next year.

Top Marks. The Senate Employee Child Care Center on Friday officially received the highest level of accreditation under new, tougher standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

NAEYC sets professional standards for early education programs. First established in 1985, NAEYC revised its evaluation process this year, requiring programs to meet 10 standards and about 400 specific criteria, up from 100 criteria in previous years.

The Senate day care center did especially well, earning scores above 90 percent in all 10 categories, and 100 percent in seven: relationships among children and adults, teachers, interaction with families, community relationships, health programs, physical environment, and leadership and management.

The accreditation is valid until November 2012. The House of Representatives Child Care Center also earned NAEYC’s highest level of accreditation earlier this year.

Hyde Funeral. The funeral for former Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), the powerful chairman of two House committees who died last week at the age of 83, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in St. Charles, Ill.

According to the House Republican Conference, the Hyde family is requesting that charitable donations or flowers in the late Congressman’s memory be sent to one of three recipients: Marklund Children’s Home, 10450 Wyatt Dr., Geneva, IL 60134; Marianjoy Physical Rehabilitation Center, 26W171 Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187; or DuPage Convalescent Center Foundation, 400 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187.

— Lauren W. Whittington, Elizabeth Brotherton and Josh Kurtz