[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2002

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, ``Partners-In Community Education,'' is the 
theme of the 20th Annual National Community Education Day to be 
observed in my hometown of Flint and across the nation on October 10, 
2002.
  Sponsored by the National Community Education Association (NCEA), 
this special day was conceived in 1982 to recognize and support strong 
relationships between communities and public schools and community 
colleges that serve them. NCEA believes that it is crucial to highlight 
the positive impact community education programs play in building 
community through parents and community involvement, lifelong learning 
and the establishment of partnerships with other organizations.
  Community Education Day 2002: ``Partners--In Community Education'' 
emphasizes the importance of partnerships and collaboration by 
community education programs to positively impact the lives of 
children, youth, families and communities. In keeping with the theme of 
National Community Education Day NCEA has partnered with the After 
School Alliance, sponsor of Lights On Afterschool! to present both 
celebrations on October 10th. NCEA hopes that this joint observance 
will draw attention to the importance of community education programs 
not only in the lives of adults, families and communities, but as well 
as the need for more after school programs across the country.
  Our children need a safe and nurturing place to go after school. Our 
community members need opportunities to learn, grow and enrich their 
lives. Adult education, GED, ESL, early childhood education, after 
school programs and enrichment programs for all ages are partners in 
community education and are celebrated as integral parts of community 
education programming.
  Community education multiplies the richness of after school programs 
and opens the doors of schools buildings to everyone as it serves all 
ages in the community. National Community Education Day 2002 is co-
sponsored by over 36 organizations, including the Afterschool Alliance, 
the Children's Defense Fund, the Council of Chief State School 
Officers, the National PTA, the National Assembly of Health and Human 
Service Organizations, and the U.S. Department of Education.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives 
to join me in calling attention to National Community Education Day.

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