COCHRAN LAUDS MISSISSIPPI YOUTH PROGRAMS
FOR TODAY’S NATIONAL “LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL” CELEBRATION

Senate Approves Resolution Highlighting “Lights On” Activities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran today joined in commending afterschool education programs around Mississippi as communities around the nation celebrate National Lights On Afterschool Day.

Cochran, a member of the Afterschool Caucus, supported the Senate resolution celebrating “Lights On Afterschool,” a nationwide effort sponsored by the Lights On Afterschool Alliance to expand afterschool programs for children.  The Senate passed the resolution by unanimous consent.

“Because so many parents work outside the home, there is a need for afterschool programs for children.  These programs, whether sponsored by schools or organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, provide safe environments for learning and recreation for youth,” Cochran said.

“I am pleased that Congress supports the ideals behind the Lights On Afterschool movement and provides funding to support community-based afterschool programs,” he said.

The Senate resolution states that more than 28 million children in the United States have parents who work outside the home, 15 million of whom have few places to go after school.  An updated “America After 3 p.m.” study released this month shows that 25 percent, or more than 130,000, of K-12 students in Mississippi spend an average of nine hours a week after school without supervision. 

The resolution notes that “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,” and that these programs “engage families, schools and diverse community partners in advancing the well-being of the nation’s children.”

As ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee that funds U.S. Department of Education programs, Cochran supported a proposed $1.13 billion appropriation in FY2010 for the 21st Century Community-Learning Centers program.  This federal initiative provided funding to states for before- and after-school educational, recreational, drug and violence prevention, and literacy activities.  In Mississippi, such grant funding—almost $14 million annually—has been distributed to school districts, youth organizations and other groups who provide afterschool.