[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 16006]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 304--SUPPORTING ``LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL'', A NATIONAL 
                  CELEBRATION OF AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS

  Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Whitehouse, 
Mr. Casey, and Ms. Stabenow) submitted the following resolution; which 
was:

                              S. Res. 304

       Whereas high-quality afterschool programs provide safe, 
     challenging, engaging, and fun learning experiences that help 
     children and youth develop social, emotional, physical, 
     cultural, and academic skills;
       Whereas high-quality afterschool programs support working 
     families by ensuring that the children in those families are 
     safe and productive after the regular school day ends;
       Whereas high-quality afterschool programs build stronger 
     communities by involving students, parents, business leaders, 
     and adult volunteers in the lives of children in the United 
     States, 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 children in the United States;
       Whereas ``Lights On Afterschool'', a national celebration 
     of afterschool programs held on October 20, 2011, 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 approximately 
     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.

                          ____________________