[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)] [Senate] [Pages S7668-S7669] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUPPORTING ``LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL'' The resolution (S. Res. 659) supporting ``Lights On Afterschool,'' a national celebration of afterschool programs, was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows: S. Res. 659 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 students, parents, business leaders, and adult volunteers in the lives of the youth of the Nation, 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 children in the United States; Whereas ``Lights On Afterschool'', a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 21, 2010, 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. Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today Senator Ensign and I have submitted a resolution designating October 21, 2010, Lights On Afterschool Day. Lights On Afterschool brings students, parents, educators, lawmakers, and community and business leaders together to celebrate afterschool programs. This year, more than 1 million Americans are expected to attend about 7,500 events designed to raise awareness and support for these much needed programs. In America today, one in four youth--more than 15 million children-- go home alone after the school day ends. This includes more than 40,000 kindergartners and almost 4 million middle school students in grades six to eight. On the other hand, only 8.4 million children, or approximately 15 percent of school-aged children, participate in afterschool programs. An additional 18.5 million would participate if a quality program were available in their community. Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs, is celebrated every October in communities nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families and communities. Lights On Afterschool was launched in October 2000 [[Page S7669]] with celebrations in more than 1,200 communities nationwide. The event has grown from 1,200 celebrations in 2001 to more than 7,500 today. This October, 1 million Americans will celebrate Lights On Afterschool. Mr. President, quality afterschool programs should be available to children in all communities. These programs support working families and prevent kids from being both victims and perpetrators of violent crime. They also help parents in balancing work and home-life. Quality afterschool programs help to engage students in their communities, and when students are engaged, they are more successful in their educational endeavors. As co-chairmen of the Senate Afterschool Caucus, Senator Ensign and I have been working for more than 5 years to impress upon our colleagues the importance of afterschool programming. It is our hope that they will join us on October 21 to celebrate the importance of afterschool programs in their communities back home. ____________________