[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 104--SUPPORTING ``LIGHTS ON 
    AFTERSCHOOL!'', A NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

  Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Burr, Mrs. Lincoln, 
Mr. Stevens, Mr. Casey, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Feingold, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. 
Murray, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Biden, Mr. 
Barrasso, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Specter) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                            S. Con. Res. 104

       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 16, 2008, 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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