Lights on Afterschool
LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL -- (Senate - September 21, 2006)
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.
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