Lights on Afterschool Day

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, the citizens of the state of Alabama stand firmly committed to quality afterschool programs and opportunities because these programs provide safe, challenging and engaging learning experiences that help children develop social, emotional, physical and academic skills; support working families by ensuring their children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends; build stronger communities by involving students, parents, business leaders and adult volunteers in the lives of young people, thereby promoting positive relationships among youth, families and adults; and engage families, schools and community partners in advancing the welfare of our children; and

WHEREAS, the state of Alabama has provided significant leadership in the area of community involvement in the education and well-being of our youth, grounded in the principle that quality afterschool programs are key to helping children become successful adults; and

WHEREAS, Lights On Afterschool, the national celebration of afterschool programs, promote the importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, families and communities; and

WHEREAS, more than 28 million children in the United States have parents who work outside the home, and 15.1 million children have no place to go after school; and

WHEREAS, communities in our Alabama are made stronger by afterschool programs which involve students, parents, business leaders and adult volunteers in the lives of young people, as well as programs which promote positive relationships by engaging families, schools and community partners in enhancing the welfare of our children; and

WHEREAS, afterschool programs are an important tool in helping our children become successful adults, and Alabama is committed to providing leadership with respect to community involvement in the education and well-being of our youth:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 22, 2015, as

Lights on Afterschool Day

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 27th day of August 2015.

Robert Bentley
Governor