[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1827-E1828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL DAY 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, October 10, in communities 
throughout the nation, Lights On Afterschool Events will be taking 
place. At schools, 4-H Clubs, Police Athletic clubs, YWCAs, in Mayor's 
offices and in state capitols-activities are planned that highlight the 
importance of providing safe, enriching environments for young people 
before and after school hours. These programs are important for working 
families, help improve academic outcomes for kids and help strengthen 
the fabric of community life. In my own state of Michigan over 200 
events are planned on October 10 to educate families about available 
programs. America's children are our most precious resource. Their 
health, their safety, the quality of their education-these are 
responsibilities we all share. We have an obligation to ensure that 
every child has a genuine opportunity to succeed. The availability of 
Afterschool programs moves us toward that goal.
  The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program--by no means the 
only source of support for Afterschool programs--is a critical resource 
for all states. The No Child left Behind Act--signed into law last 
January by President Bush--promises communities that need this help 
most, the funds necessary to sustain and develop high-quality 
Afterschool programs. Unfortunately, in many locations across America 
millions of children are left home alone, unsupervised, during the 
hours immediately after the school day ends. For too many of our 
children these hours are full of squandered opportunities for tutoring, 
mentoring, academic challenges, and physical, social and cultural 
development. Not surprisingly, this is a time of day when most juvenile 
crimes are committed and when more youth are vulnerable to drugs and 
teenage pregnancy. Lights On Afterschool is an opportunity to showcase 
the programs that do exist and build support for their expansion. 
Through the generous support of J.C. Penney, the Afterschool Alliance 
has nurtured the growth of the Lights on Afterschool campaign--this 
year events are taking place in 422 congressional districts. By next 
year that number will grow to 100%.
  We all have a responsibility where the nation's young people are 
concerned--parents, educators, business leaders, community and faith-
based organizations and legislators. Providing for the health and 
welfare of America's

[[Page E1828]]

children is too big and too important a job to tackle alone. 
Afterschool programs offer the chance to improve academic achievement. 
They provide children with the opportunity to benefit from the 
mentoring of a role model. They help young students tackle the 
challenges and learn the value of reading at an early age. They ensure 
that youth have access to safe and anti-substance abuse activities. And 
for America's working parents they provide the confidence that their 
children are well cared for once the school day ends.
  Beyond funding for the 21st Century Learning Centers Program, the No 
Child Left Behind Act, makes available federal Title I funds that can 
be used to provide supplemental educational services through 
afterschool programs. The Child Care Development Block Grant is another 
important resource to assist parents in obtaining high quality 
afterschool childcare.
  I urge my colleagues to visit afterschool programs in your district, 
encourage local businesses to help sustain and expand these programs 
and fight for increased federal investment in the 21st Century Learning 
Center Program, Title I, and the CCDBG. Congratulations to the 
Afterschool Alliance, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and J.C. 
Penney, the National Sponsor, and their partners: 4-H, Boys and Girls 
Clubs of America, Junior Achievement and the YMCA of the USA on their 
third successful Lights on Afterschool national awareness campaign.

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