PRINTER'S NO. 2321
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
532
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY WHEATLEY, FEE, WHEELAND, O'BRIEN, VEREB,
J. HARRIS, ROEBUCK, THOMAS, LONGIETTI, CALTAGIRONE,
SCHLOSSBERG, HENNESSEY, C. PARKER, HEFFLEY, DRISCOLL,
DiGIROLAMO, MURT, MAHONEY, MILLARD, GERGELY, BIZZARRO,
SCHWEYER, KIRKLAND, PASHINSKI, KINSEY, COHEN, BULLOCK,
WATSON, O'NEILL, STURLA, DAVIS, ROSS, MAJOR, FARINA, GOODMAN,
GINGRICH, YOUNGBLOOD, D. COSTA, SAYLOR, WARD, SAMUELSON,
SCHLEGEL CULVER AND NEILSON, OCTOBER 8, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 8, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating October 22, 2015, as "Lights on Afterschool Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, More than 28 million children in the United States
have parents who work outside the home and more than 15 million
children are left unsupervised after the school bell rings; and
WHEREAS, Almost 1.3 million children between 6 and 17 years
of age in Pennsylvania have both parents in the work force or,
in single parent families, the sole parent in the work force;
and
WHEREAS, Twenty-six percent of the nation's school-age
children are responsible for taking care of themselves after
school; and
WHEREAS, Afterschool hours represent the single biggest block
of time for children and youth and a key time during the
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development of children into adolescents and adolescents into
adults; and
WHEREAS, Afterschool programs provide safe, challenging,
engaging and fun learning experiences to help children and youth
develop academic, cultural, emotional, physical and social
skills; and
WHEREAS, Afterschool programs support working families by
ensuring that their children are safe and productive during
afterschool hours; and
WHEREAS, Afterschool programs offer a fun and supportive
educational environment for Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM); and
WHEREAS, A recent national survey found that 52% of parents
cite cost as a barrier to enrolling their children in
afterschool programs; and
WHEREAS, Research illustrates that high-quality programming
improves student achievement, reduces crime by and against
children and youth and promotes positive social development; and
WHEREAS, Afterschool programs build stronger communities by
involving parents, business leaders and student and adult
volunteers in the lives of our young people, thereby promoting
positive relationships among children, youth, families and
adults; and
WHEREAS, "Lights on Afterschool Day," a national celebration
of afterschool programs held on October 22, 2015, promotes the
critical importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives
of children, their families and their communities; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate October
22, 2015, as "Lights on Afterschool Day" in Pennsylvania.
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