House Supports After-School Programs

On September 27, the House approved, 403-0, a resolution (H. J. Res. 66) supporting the goals and ideals of “Lights On Afterschool!”, an annual event celebrating after-school programs.

Sponsored by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

• More than 28 million children in the United States have parents who work outside the home, and 14.3 million children have no place to go after school;
• High-quality after-school programs support working families by ensuring that their children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends; and
• “Lights On Afterschool!”, a national celebration of after-school programs on October 20, 2005, promotes the critical importance of high-quality after-school programs in the lives of children, their families, and their communities.

Rep. Lowey stated, “Parents need safe, structured environments where their kids can learn and play, make friends, and develop new interests, yet Congress is not doing what we should to ensure that our kids are safe and engaged while their parents are at work. The Congressional After-School Caucus and the ‘Lights On!’ celebration will focus on changing that. We will share the lessons we have learned to make sure after-school does not become an after-thought in our Federal education priorities. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, join the Caucus, and fight tooth and nail for every dollar available so that kids and their parents have access to these desperately needed programs.”

Noting that this year’s celebration “is expected to include more than 7,000 events in the United States and at military bases around the world,” Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) added, “This event is aimed at bringing attention to the need for high-quality, after-school programs that keep kids safe, help working families, and improve academic achievement. I support this resolution, because after-school programs are an important part of many American students’ lives. High-quality after-school programs provide safe, challenging, and fun learning experiences that help children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, cultural, and academic skills.”