[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1968-E1969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF ``LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL!''

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to day in support of H. Con. Res. 478, 
supporting the goals

[[Page E1969]]

and ideals of the Lights On Afterschool! program. According to the 
Afterschool Alliance's survey, 14.3 million children are left alone and 
unsupervised after school. Lights On provides children with a safe 
place to go after school and promotes healthy opportunities for growth 
and learning.
  I believe that after school programs provide vital services to our 
youth and we must make a commitment to continue to fund these programs. 
Communities and schools can help by promoting after-school programs 
that engage teenagers in a thoughtful and safe manner. Encouraging high 
school students to join after-school clubs, sports teams, and band or 
chorus also gives teenagers purposeful extra-curricular activities that 
diminish their chances of causing trouble in their community.
  Our children deserve the very best chance to succeed in a turbulent 
global community, a world where economic competitors grow more numerous 
and powerful everyday. To ensure American leadership in the future, 
children today must be afforded comprehensive education and enrichment 
through well-funded schools and after-school activities.
  There are many after school programs that are benefiting the children 
of my district. The Trenton After School Program has been serving our 
community for over 20 years. It not only provides our children with a 
safe place to go after school, but also provides culturally enriching 
programs including arts education.
  Lights On provides children with fun, educational, and entertaining 
activities when the school day ends. I am proud to rise in support of 
this resolution.

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