Reps. Kooiman, Hart, Voorhees, Sak, Elkins, Accavitti, Acciavatti, Adamini, Bieda, Cheeks, Ehardt, Farhat, Gieleghem, Hager, Jamnick, Koetje, Lipsey, Meyer, Minore, Murphy, Paletko, Pappageorge, Pastor, Richardville, Spade, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Woodward, Zelenko and Taub offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 55.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to restore proposed cuts to the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program for after-school programs.

            Whereas, The proposed federal budget includes a $400 million cut in the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program for after-school programs; and

            Whereas, The proposed cut undermines the goals of the “No Child Left Behind” Act to help children succeed academically and enhance their reading and writing skills; and

            Whereas, The proposed cut would directly affect programming for over 20,000 high-risk youth in Michigan, through an estimated $15,688,256 loss of funding; and

            Whereas, Many research studies indicate that children who consistently attend after-school programs have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, conflict resolution skills, grades, and conduct compared to those children not involved in programs; and

Whereas, Juvenile crime soars in the hours immediately after the bell rings, and after-school programs prevent juvenile delinquency and victimization of youth; and

Whereas, 21^st Century Community Learning Centers actively engage parents as partners in their children’s education and seek to strengthen the bonds between home and school; and

Whereas, 21^st Century Community Learning Centers in Michigan are successful in reducing school absenteeism, improving reading scores, and providing a safe place for children during peak juvenile crime hours; and

            Whereas, 21^st Century Community Learning Centers align their curriculum with the school day curriculum through fun and experimental learning activities; and

            Whereas, The state of Michigan has begun the implementation of the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers and sees these centers as one of the best sustainable means to offer quality after-school programs to the greatest number of high-risk youth in the state; and

            Whereas, On April 10, 2003, the Michigan House of Representatives, knowing the value of after-school programs, passed House Resolution No. 26, on the "Michigan After-School Initiative," to call for the creation of a task force to assess the status of after-school programming in Michigan and to develop a plan to ensure access to after-school programs for every school-age child in Michigan; and

Whereas, 21^st Century Community Learning Centers promote an active level of community partnership and collaboration among providers to best serve children; and

            Whereas, Polls show that 92% of Americans believe there should be organized activities for children and teens during after-school hours; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to restore the proposed $400 million cut to the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.