Dusty Johnson: “I think it needs to be emphasized that the after-school program amendment being offered by Senator Boxer is not an…”

“I think it needs to be emphasized that the after-school program amendment being offered by Senator Boxer is not an alternative to the underlying Coverdell bill. Unlike other amendments that we have considered today, this is an add-on that is independent of the funding that is committed to the Coverdell legislation. I have been holding meetings all around my State of South Dakota, which is an overwhelmingly rural State. One of the things that we share is a very strong sense from parents, from child care providers, teachers and school administrators, and from everyone who follows this issue that after-school programs are among the most important items on which we should focus our attention. In fact, the Republican Governor of my State has played a leading role in our State in trying to better utilize our school resources, recognizing that working moms are a larger and larger percentage of the work force. We have increasing numbers of latchkey kids in all of our communities, large and small. After-school programs for these children are either nonexistent or far too expensive.”