Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, we know that before-school, after-school, and summer learning programs are successful activities that provide safe places that millions of students and parents can rely upon. I'm very concerned about keeping the students in my district safe and out of trouble. In mid-Michigan and around the Nation, time spent out of school is often prime time for bad choices that can lead to juvenile crime; yet countless studies have shown that kids involved in after- school and summer programs are less likely to be perpetrators or victims of crime, less likely to drink or use drugs, less likely to join gangs. Unfortunately, legislation that is set to be considered this week in the House could lead to over a million students losing access to these opportunities. Students in Michigan benefit from these after-school programs through mentors, tutoring, through cultural and fine arts activities. We should be expanding support for these programs and for funding for these programs, not cutting them or putting them in block grants as a means of reducing support. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this legislation that's set to come before the House this week. ____________________”