Presidential Documents

60569

Federal Register

Vol. 65, No. 198

Thursday, October 12, 2000

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7353 of October 6, 2000

Afterschool Week, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each weekday afternoon in America, the ringing of school bells signals

not just the end of the school day, but also the beginning of a period

when 8 to 15 million of our children are home alone. These so-called

‘‘latchkey’’ children can be found in every American community, whether

urban, suburban, or rural; they are the children of working parents who,

for a variety of reasons, are unable to arrange or afford a better alternative.

Not surprisingly, most juvenile crimes are committed and most children

are likely to become victims of crime during the 5 or 6 hours immediately

after the school day ends.

Providing appropriate supervision for children after school is one of the

more difficult challenges that working parents face. Recognizing this, my

Administration has worked hard to provide parents with alternative afternoon

activities for their children. Through our 21st Century Community Learning

Centers program, under the leadership of Education Secretary Richard Riley,

we are providing schools and community organizations with funding to

create and expand learning opportunities for children in a drug-free, supervised environment. This program enables schools to stay open longer so

that students have places to do their homework, receive counseling about

the dangers of substance abuse, and participate with mentors in a wide

array of academic and recreational activities that challenge their imagination

and broaden their horizons.

In the 4 years since we created the 21st Century Community Learning

Centers program, hundreds of thousands of children across our country

have enrolled in safe and smart afterschool programs. My proposed budget

for fiscal 2001 will more than double the Federal commitment to this program, enabling us to reach as many as 2.5 million students next year.

These community learning centers provide America’s parents with the comforting assurance that, while they are out earning a living, their children

are participating in engaging and constructive afterschool activities.

To highlight the growing need for afterschool programs, the Afterschool

Alliance—a partnership of public, private, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to raising awareness and expanding resources for afterschool programs—has announced a nationwide project called ‘‘Lights On Afterschool!’’

On October 12 of this year, schools, community centers, museums, libraries,

and parks across the country will host activities to inform families about

the places currently open to children after school and the need to provide

additional centers where children can participate in engaging, stimulating

activities until their parents return from work.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution

and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the week of October

8 to October 14, 2000, as Afterschool Week. I encourage parents, students,

educators, community and business leaders, and concerned citizens to participate in ‘‘Lights On Afterschool!’’ activities on Thursday, October 12. I also

urge all Americans to recognize the importance of providing afterschool

60570 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 198 / Thursday, October 12, 2000 / Presidential Documents

programs in their communities to promote the safety and well-being of

our Nation’s children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of

October, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence

[FR Doc. 00–26391

Filed 10–11–00; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

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