[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1119 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                        April 30, 2008.
Whereas National Volunteer Week will be observed during the week of April 27, 
        2008 through May 3, 2008;
Whereas the National Volunteer Week will give Americans the opportunity to thank 
        some of our Nation's most valuable assets, our volunteers, and to 
        recognize the myriad of ways they improve our communities;
Whereas the theme of this year's National Volunteer Week is ``Volunteer to 
        Change the World'', and is about engaging individuals in service, 
        inspiring a Nation to join a movement for change, and recognizing the 
        deserving volunteers, including those that have received the President's 
        Volunteer Service Award, for their work in their local communities;
Whereas National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Nixon signed an 
        Executive Order establishing the week as an annual celebration of 
        volunteering, and since then, every United States President, along with 
        many governors, mayors, and other elected officials has signed a 
        proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week;
Whereas about 61,000,000 people volunteered through or for an organization at 
        least once between September 2006 and September 2007, according to a 
        recent survey by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, which 
        represents more than a quarter of the total United States population;
Whereas an analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study of Aging found that 
        those individuals who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those 
        who do not volunteer and research shows that communities with high 
        levels of social networks have higher levels of parental engagement in 
        schools, stronger local economies, less crime, and lower incidence of 
        illnesses;
Whereas volunteers have contributed to the enhancement and improvement of 
        communities across the United States, especially with respect to the 
        aftermath of the hurricanes on the Gulf Coast; and
Whereas National Volunteer Week will continue to build awareness of the role 
        that volunteers play in local, national, and international communities, 
        and their commitment and dedication to improving lives, strengthening 
        communities, and fostering civic engagement through service and 
        volunteering: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals highlighted through National 
        Volunteer Week;
            (2) acknowledges the diligent efforts of our major federally funded 
        community service and volunteer programs;
            (3) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the millions of 
        dedicated and caring individuals who have chosen to serve others through 
        volunteerism; and
            (4) encourages all American people, of any age and background, to 
        seek out opportunities to serve through volunteerism.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.