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ARNOLD GIVES AUTOGRAPHS BUT YOU GAVE SIGNATURES! Arnold Submits 750,000 Signatures! Reported By: Randy Jennings Thursday, April 18, 2002 Schwarzenegger.com reports: April 17, 2002, Los Angeles, CA - Anyone who knows Arnold will tell you that he always gives 110 percent. Well, now it seems Arnold has raised the bar for himself to 150 percent. Towering above kids who helped him signal a new phase of the After School Education and Safety Act, Arnold announced that he is submitting nearly 750,000 signatures from California voters, far more than the amount required for his initiative to win a place on the November ballot. A total of 419,260 signatures are needed to qualify the measure. "Today opens the campaign's next chapter in the drive to make after school programs available to every public elementary and junior high school in California that wants one," said Schwarzenegger. "Two months ago, I asked groups throughout the state to join me in making California the nation's leader in after school programs. We are proud to have received such broad and enthusiastic public support. With your help, I am determined to make sure that every child that wants and needs one has a safe, fun, educationally enriching place to spend their after school hours." Arnold loaded the petitions onto a truck that was headed for the county clerk's office for verification. Arnold is both the initiative's proponent and chairman of the campaign. The California Teachers Association, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, Crime Victims United of California, California Medical Association, California Police Activities League, Girl Scout Councils of California, California Chamber of Commerce and Fight Crime/Invest in Kids have endorsed the initiative on education and safety grounds. The campaign has also drawn endorsements from education and safety experts from both sides of the political aisle. Republicans include State Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte and former State Secretary of Education Marian Bergeson. Democrats include State Senator Jack O'Connell, State Attorney General Bill Lockyer and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin. The After School Education and Safety Act would add to existing law by making available more than $400 million annually to every public K- 9 School in California. The measure will appropriate the funds in 2004 or later, when the state's non-education revenue grows by at least $1.5 billion over the highest level of any previous year. Extra grants will be available to schools in needy neighborhoods. Arnold has a long history helping after school programs and other children's causes. Seven years ago he started the Inner-City Games, which now serves more than 200,000 kids in 15 cities nationwide. He was chairman of the President's Physical Fitness Council and a worldwide ambassador for the Special Olympics. Recently he formed another after school program in Los Angeles, Arnold's All Stars. For more information, please visit the official After School Program Initiative Web site at Joinarnold.com. ---------- |