[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 119 (Thursday, September 21, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, Today, I ask my colleagues to recognize 
the 7th Annual Lights on Afterschool events taking place across the 
country on October 12, 2006. ``Lights on Afterschool is a national 
celebration in which more than 1 million Americans will gather in their 
communities to recognize the important role that afterschool programs 
provide for the children in this country.
  Afterschool providers throughout California and across the country 
have demonstrated that afterschool programs keep children safe, improve 
learning, and reduce crime and drug use. According to the FBI, youth 
are most at risk for being victims of violent crimes and committing 
violent acts between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.--after school is out and before 
parents arrive home. Afterschool programs keep children safe, reduce 
crime and drug use, and improve academic performance.
  As we take this occasion to recognize the afterschool program 
providers, we also must honor the communities that also contribute to 
the enrichment of these afterschool activities that provide safe and 
supervised afterschool educational, enrichment, and recreational 
programs. The partnerships you have forged with the afterschool program 
providers are instrumental in their success. There is no responsibility 
greater than ensuring that our children can learn and grow in a safe 
environment.
  Afterschool programs are critical to the success of American 
families. These programs make it easier for parents to go to work 
because they know that their children are in a safe and nourishing 
environment. According to the Afterschool Alliance, 14.3 million 
children go home to an empty house every day. We must work to ensure 
these children have access to these programs that are vital to 
developing cultural and social skills, as well as the academic 
enrichment that the programs provide.
  Afterschool is a wise investment in our children's future. That is 
why I will continue to work to make after school a national priority--
so that we can bring Federal resources to support great local programs 
to keep the lights on and the doors open.
  I send my sincere thanks to everyone working in programs and schools 
involved with Lights on Afterschool and for all of the work you have 
done and continue to do in creating partnerships that promote and 
enhance afterschool programs.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 116) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 116

       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 the children in such families 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 youth, 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 held on October 12, 2006, 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 in the United States have no place to go after 
     school; and
       Whereas many after school programs across the United States 
     are struggling to keep their doors open and their lights on: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress supports the goals and ideals of 
     ``Lights On Afterschool!'' a national celebration of after 
     school programs.

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