November 1, 2004

Mayors across the nation turned out in support for afterschool programs in their communities during Lights On Afterschool!, an annual nationwide rally to draw attention to the need for more afterschool programs for children. This year marked the fifth anniversary of the event, which was celebrated on October 14 by more than half a million people in over 7,200 communities, spanning all 50 states as well as over 50 military installations in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Korea and Guam. Lights On Afterschool! began with over 1,000 events in 2000, and tripled in 2001. The nationwide rally has steadily grown since then to more than 7,000 events this year.

Mayors have long been strong proponents of afterschool programs, which boost academic achievement, keep kids safe, and help working families. At The United States Conference of Mayors 72nd Annual Conference of Mayors in Boston this past June, the resolution Increase the National Investment In and Expand After'school Programs, sponsored by 27 mayors, was adopted by the membership furthering the commitment to afterschool programming.

Conference President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic has long been a supporter of the importance of afterschool programming. "We're trying to do, on a local level, what we think the Federal and State should do to help children succeed and keeping them safe. This can begin with ensuring that the lights are left on afterschool for our youth and preparing them for those opportunities that I know will be there in the future," he said.

Lights On! Afterschool! was kicked off at a rally held October 3 in Los Angeles, led by Mayor James K. Hahn, along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, actress Rhea Perlman, California Secretary for Education Richard J. Riordan and LA's BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program. Lights On! will have events running through the middle of November all across the country. This year, activities ranged from mayors issuing proclamations on afterschool programming to presenting awards for the recognition of afterschool leaders' commitment in individual communities. Other activities included rallies, carnivals, street fairs, talent shows, an election for the children to vote on why afterschool programs are important to them as a way to demonstrate the value of the democratic process, student performances, a community breakfast, and a student-moderated debate on local political candidates, poster contest and activities with literacy, nutrition and math themes.

In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom stated that the needs of San Francisco kids forced them to break down bureaucratic silos, eliminate inefficiencies, be creative about our partnerships, and deliver results. "We are extremely proud of what we-ve achieved in San Francisco, but we're not about to rest on our laurels. The job won't be done until the lights are on after school for every child or youth who needs a safe, fun, productive place to go," Newsom said.

Mayors involved in Lights On Afterschool! events in their cities included:

Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez

Austin Mayor Will Wynn

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley

Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory

Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera

Columbia Mayor Robert Coble

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman

Dallas Mayor Laura Miller

Danbury (CT) Mayor Mark D. Boughton

Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin

Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper

District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams

Durham (NC) Mayor William V. Bell

Evansville (IN) Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel

Fairbanks (AK) Mayor Steve M. Thompson

Fresno Mayor Alan Autry

Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson

Lake Charles (LA) Mayor Randy Roach

Lander (WY) Mayor Mick Wolfe

Laramie (WY) Mayor Fred Homer

Lincoln (NE) Mayor Colleen L. Seng

Little Rock Mayor James Dailey

Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn,

Louisville-Metro Mayor Jerry E. Abramson

Michigan City (IN) Mayor Chuck Oberlie

Milwaukee Mayor Thomas Barrett

Modesto (CA) Mayor Jim Ridenour

Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell

Natchez (MS) Mayor Phillip West

New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

Opelika (AL) Mayor Barbara H. Patton

Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon

Providence Mayor David Cicilline

Salt Lake City Mayor Ross C. Anderson

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom

Scottsdale (AZ) Mayor Mary Manross

Seneca, (SC) Mayor Dan Alexander

Superior (MT) Mayor Gordon Hendrick

Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune

Valparaiso (IN) Mayor Jon Costas

West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel

West Valley City (UT) Mayor Dennis J. Nordfelt

Mayors are also among the most ardent supporters of Afterschool for All: Project 2010, a national coalition of influential leaders such as mayors, governors, police chiefs, prosecutors, education and civic leaders, organizations, corporations, and universities. More than 100 mayors in approximately 40 states are Project 2010 partners who recognize that afterschool programs are a necessity for youth, families and communities, and agree that all children and youth should have access to quality, safe, and enriching afterschool programs by the year 2010. For more information about Project 2010 and to view a list of mayors who are Project 2010 partners, visit the website afterschool2010.org or call Jenny Austin, Afterschool Alliance, at (212) 548-0309; or contact Shannon Holmes at The U.S. Conference of Mayors at (202) 861-6728.

Lights On Afterschool! is organized by the Afterschool Alliance, and sponsored by more than 150 education, civic, arts, and government organizations, inccluding The U.S. Conference of Mayors. To learn more information about Lights On Afterschool!, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org or call (202) 347-2030.