[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H8366-H8367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H8366]]
     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF ``LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL!''

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 66) supporting the goals and ideals of 
``Lights on Afterschool!'', a national celebration of after-school 
programs.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 66

       Whereas high-quality after-school programs provide safe, 
     challenging, engaging, and fun learning experiences to help 
     children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, 
     cultural, and academic skills;
       Whereas high-quality after-school programs support working 
     families by ensuring that their children are safe and 
     productive after the regular school day ends;
       Whereas high-quality after-school programs build stronger 
     communities by involving the Nation's students, parents, 
     business leaders, and adult volunteers in the lives of the 
     Nation's young people, thereby promoting positive 
     relationships among children, youth, families, and adults;
       Whereas high-quality after-school programs engage families, 
     schools, and diverse community partners in advancing the 
     well-being of the Nation's children;
       Whereas ``Lights On Afterschool!'', a national celebration 
     of after-school programs on October 20, 2005, promotes the 
     critical importance of high-quality after-school programs in 
     the lives of children, their families, and their communities;
       Whereas more than 28,000,000 children in the United States 
     have parents who work outside the home, and 14,300,000 
     children have no place to go after school; and
       Whereas many after-school programs across the Nation are 
     struggling to keep their doors open and their lights on: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     Congress supports the goals and ideals of ``Lights On 
     Afterschool!'', a national celebration of after-school 
     programs.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).


                             General Leave

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.J. Res. 66.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Resolution 66, offered 
by my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey). This 
resolution seeks to support the goals and ideals of ``Lights on 
Afterschool!'', a national celebration of after-school programs.
  This year's Lights on Afterschool rally, taking place October 20, 
2005, is expected to include more than 7,000 events in the United 
States and at military bases around the world. This event is aimed at 
bringing attention to the need for high-quality, after-school programs 
that keep kids safe, help working families, and improve academic 
achievement.
  I support this resolution, because after-school programs are an 
important part of many American students' lives. High-quality after-
school programs provide safe, challenging, and fun learning experiences 
that help children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, 
cultural, and academic skills.
  In my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, after-school programs have 
proven to be highly beneficial. For example, the LOOP after-school 
program has shown that students who participated 3 or more days a week 
did better academically and had better attendance in school than 
students who did not participate.
  I am pleased we are able to bring attention to the critical 
importance of after-school programs in the lives of children, their 
families, and their communities. I commend the communities across the 
Nation that engage in innovative after-school programs and activities 
and ensure that the doors stay open and the lights stay on for all 
children after school.
  This resolution is simple and straightforward. It supports the goals 
and ideals of ``Lights on Afterschool!'', a nationwide celebration of 
after-school programs. I commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from New 
York (Mrs. Lowey), for her leadership in offering House Joint 
Resolution 66 and urge all my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I want to first thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) 
and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for introducing 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, supporting after-school programs is one of the most 
important things that we in Congress and the people around the country 
can do to improve our children's lives and ensure that they have bright 
futures. High-quality after-school programs provide children with safe, 
enriching activities, a place to be where they are welcome and where 
they are comfortable. Without these programs, the hours between the end 
of the school day, actually between the school bell and the dinner 
bell, become the time that children are most likely to get into 
trouble.
  So while these programs are important to all families, they are 
particularly important and invaluable to working families. Good after-
school programs build stronger communities by involving parents, 
community leaders, business leaders, and adult volunteers in the lives 
of young people. That is why I am delighted to support ``Lights on 
Afterschool!'', a national celebration of after-school programs.
  On October 20, 2005, as many as 1 million people around the country 
will attend events to spread the word about the critical importance of 
high-quality, after-school programs. But we also have to remember that 
resolutions are not enough. As this resolution notes, there are more 
than 14 million children in the United States of America who do not 
have a place to go after school. Yet in recent years, this President 
and Congress have cut funding for after-school programs.
  So by all means, let us resolve today to support these programs, but 
when it comes time to put our money where our mouths are, let us 
support them financially also.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Lowey), the sponsor of this resolution.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time, and I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 66, which I introduced 
with my friend and colleague from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) to 
highlight the goals of the sixth annual ``Lights on Afterschool!'' 
celebration.
  This event, organized by the Afterschool Alliance and sponsored by 
the J.C. Penney Afterschool Fund is the only national celebration of 
after-school programs and the important role they play in the lives of 
children, families, and communities.
  On October 20, more than 1 million Americans, representing thousands 
of after-school initiatives across the country, including 166 programs 
in my home State of New York, are expected to open their doors to 
parents, neighbors, business leaders, and elected officials to showcase 
their accomplishments. In my own district, events will take place in 
New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Ossining, and Yonkers, and more programs are 
registering every day.
  In spite of the growing enthusiasm for this year's ``Lights On!'' 
celebration, we do need more than just one day a year to highlight the 
importance of after-school programs. That is why I joined with other 
representatives, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Cunningham), and I thank also my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), who I did not mention 
before for supporting this program, as well as the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Woolsey). We formed the bipartisan Congressional After-
School Caucus earlier this year. Our mission is simple: Build support 
for these programs within Congress and to translate that support into 
sufficient funding to meet the growing demand for after-school 
initiatives.
  For years, we have known that what our kids do after school can have 
as great an impact as what they do in school. In 1996, from my seat on 
the Committee on Appropriations, I helped create the 21st Century 
Community

[[Page H8367]]

Learning Centers, the first ever Federal after-school initiative. Since 
then, we have watched it grow from a $1 million demonstration project 
to a $1 billion permanent program today because there is astonishing 
demand and tremendous unmet need for it.
  In fact, according to a study conducted by the Afterschool Alliance, 
40 percent of middle school children, the age when kids are most 
vulnerable to engaging in dangerous activities, are unsupervised for a 
good portion of the day. Parents need safe, structured environments 
where their kids can learn and play, make friends, and develop new 
interests, yet Congress is not doing what we should to ensure that our 
kids are safe and engaged while their parents are at work.
  The Congressional After-School Caucus and the ``Lights On!'' 
celebration will focus on changing that. We will share the lessons we 
have learned to make sure after-school does not become an after-thought 
in our Federal education priorities. I urge my colleagues to support 
this resolution, join the Caucus, and fight tooth and nail for every 
dollar available so that kids and their parents have access to these 
desperately needed programs.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen), an original cosponsor of the 
resolution.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of ``Lights on Afterschool!'', and House Joint Resolution 66, which 
recognizes the goals and ideals of ``Lights on Afterschool!''
  ``Lights on Afterschool!'' started in 2000, celebrating the 
importance of after-school programs, and it continues to grow 6 years 
later. This year's celebration is scheduled for October 20, and roughly 
1 million Americans are expected to participate.
  After-school programs play an important role in keeping many kids 
safe and engaged in positive activities. The hours between 3 and 6 p.m. 
on school days represent the peak times for juvenile crime. During 
those few hours after school, kids are most likely to experiment with 
drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.
  Today, there are currently over 6 million students, kindergarten 
through grade 12 participating in after-school programs, and these 
children are growing and learning in a safe and healthy environment. 
Congress must protect this opportunity for kids. Congress must do more 
to give families and children who are not currently participating the 
chance to do so.
  ``Lights on Afterschool!'' reminds us all of our obligation to give 
children the resources they need to succeed in school and to succeed in 
the future. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution fits directly into my legislation, the 
Balancing Act, legislation that is intended to help working families 
bridge their responsibilities of work and their responsibilities to 
their families.
  As this resolution notes, there are more than 14 million children in 
the United States who do not have a place to go after school. Yet in 
recent years, this President and this Congress have cut funding for 
after-school programs. So by all means, let us resolve today to support 
these programs, but when it comes time to put our money where our 
mouths are, let us support them financially as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I grew up in a small farming village in Minnesota. There 
was no need for after-school programs because after school, everyone 
went back home to the farms to milk the cows, feed the animals, and so 
forth. We live in a different world today, and it is absolutely 
essential that children have appropriate, meaningful, and useful 
activities after school in today's world.
  This resolution commemorates a very good program, the ``Lights on 
Afterschool'' program, which has been invaluable in many communities, 
and I am pleased to join in this resolution to honor that effort and to 
recognize it.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res 66, which 
recognizes the fifth annual celebration of Lights on Afterschool! on 
October 20 and honors the contributions of after-school programs to our 
communities.
  As a former educator, I understand the importance of after-school 
programs. These programs enrich children's lives with artistic, 
athletic, and educational activities. They support working parents who 
want to know that their children are in safe, nurturing environments. 
After-school programs reduce crime by giving young people positive 
outlets for the energy. Schools, community members, volunteers and 
families come together every school day to make these programs 
successful.
  Over six million students across the country benefit from after-
school programs, and in New Jersey, there are 28,000 students attending 
these programs. Many after-school programs are federally funded 
including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
  My district is fortunate to have several of these centers. The 
Trenton Public Schools have partnered with several organizations, 
including the Boy Scouts, Imani Community Center and Passage Theatre 
Company, to integrate after-school, summer and adult education programs 
to better serve students. The Middlesex County Educational Services 
Commission provides educational and social activities for students with 
multiple disabilities, including autism. And the Princeton Regional 
Schools' after-school program benefits from its designation as a 21st 
Century Community Learning Center.
  These programs, and others in my district, strengthen our communities 
and improve our children's lives. But we can do better. If the No Child 
Left Behind Act were fully funded, another 64,000 students in New 
Jersey alone would have a safe place to go after school.
  I applaud the staff and volunteers of after-school programs, and I am 
glad to join the one million Americans expected to celebrate Lights on 
Afterschool! on October 20th.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 66.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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