Hare, D-Rock Island, toured Homework Hangout, a Decatur after-school program, and pledged to fight for funding for the facility.

"To put this in perspective, we could give this institution $1 million," Hare said. "That would be equal to about three-and-a-half minutes in Iraq.

"One of the reasons we've got to get this war over is not just, obviously, because we've lost 4,000 people and the cost on the nation, but 160 kids are coming here (to Homework Hangout) every night."

A news release from Hare's office said he helped secure Homework Hangout a three-year grant of nearly $186,000.

Hare said the dollars are an investment in the future of the community.

"I'm a firm a believer that you can invest now, or we'll pay a serious price later," Hare said. "We spend more to incarcerate a person in a federal penitentiary for one year than we do (to educate a student from grades) K-12."

Keith Anderson, founder of Homework Hangout, led a tour of the facilities, showing Hare a computer lab funded by Caterpillar Inc. and a program to teach adults life skills and how to excel in the workplace.

The after-school programs have turned troubled teens' lives around, Anderson said.

One student learned about five months of algebra in three weeks. Anderson said 22 of 25 students completed a GED program through Homework Hangout, but the program requires more funding.

"The majority of them are still working; they're employed," Anderson said.

Hare pledged to try to secure funds for the GED program and for nutrition and exercise programs.

The programs have a proven track record of success, Hare said.

"I have yet to see one of these programs crash and burn," Hare said. "They all are doing great work.

"I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer in Congress, but the old adage is if it isn't broke, don't fix it. What we need to do is get more people in (these programs)."

Students were not at the after-school program on Thursday afternoon, but Hare said he'd like to return to discuss politics and civics with the students.