To ensure that the number of children in afterschool programs does not decrease.

SA 383. Mrs. BOXER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the concurrent resolution S. Con. Res. 23, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2004 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2003 and for fiscal years 2005 through 2013; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

SEC. ____ . FUNDING FOR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--

(1) Studies show that organized extracurricular activities, such as after-school programs, reduce crime, drug use, and teenage pregnancy.

(2) According to the FBI, youth are most at risk for committing violent acts and being victims of violent crimes between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.--after school is out and before parents arrive home.

(3) There remains a great need for after-school programs. The Census Bureau reported that at least 8 to 15 million children have no place to go after school is out.

(3) There remains a great need for after-school programs. The Census Bureau reported that at least 8 to 15 million children have no place to go after school is out.

(4) Current funding for after-school programs provide almost 1.4 million children across the country a safe and enriching place to go afterschool instead of being home alone.

(5) The Administration's proposed FY 04 budget has recommended funding after school programs at $600,000,000. This represents a 40-percent cut in program funding and will result in 570,000 fewer children having access to afterschool programs.

(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the levels in this resolution assume funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers is at least enough to ensure the number of children participating in afterschool programs does not.