[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S10647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 318--SUPPORTING ``LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL'', A NATIONAL 
                  CELEBRATION OF AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS

  Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Begich, 
Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Inouye, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mr. Levin, Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson of 
Nebraska, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Specter) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 318

       Whereas high-quality afterschool programs provide safe, 
     challenging, engaging, and fun learning experiences that help 
     children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, 
     cultural, and academic skills;
       Whereas high-quality afterschool 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 afterschool 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 afterschool 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 afterschool programs held on October 22, 2009, highlights 
     the critical importance of high-quality afterschool 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 15,100,000 
     children in the United States have no place to go after 
     school; and
       Whereas many afterschool programs across the United States 
     are struggling to keep their doors open and their lights on: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     ``Lights On Afterschool'', a national celebration of 
     afterschool programs.

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