Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8162, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, schools throughout Rhode Island and all across America have been forced to close their doors, some for the rest of the year. {time} 1215 This trend means that high-quality after-school and summer programs will be even more necessary to provide young people with a safe, enriching place to learn and grow. We have an obligation to ensure that these programs have the resources and flexibility needed to meet the needs of America's children. Currently, more than 2 million children and families rely on Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers for after-school and summer learning programming. With schools across the country closing, many students are unable to obtain services provided by out-of-school programs, including academic assistance, a safe place to be when their parents are working, and access to a hot meal or healthy snack. We know after-school programming provides one of the most effective ways to keep children safe in the late afternoon and early evening hours and keeps them on the right path to completing school. These programs help students develop essential life skills such as problem- solving, critical thinking, and healthy living.…”