[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 453 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 453

   Recognizing the significant accomplishments of the AmeriCorps and 
    encouraging all citizens to join in a national effort to salute 
AmeriCorps members and alumni, and raise awareness about the importance 
                   of national and community service.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 18, 2009

 Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Platts, Mr. 
Ehlers, Mr. Berman, Mr. Berry, Mr. Blumenauer, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Cardoza, 
  Mr. Costa, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Farr, Mr. Hodes, Mr. 
 Honda, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. McDermott, Mr. George 
    Miller of California, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Norton, Mr. Polis of 
  Colorado, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Thompson of 
  California, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Waxman) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the significant accomplishments of the AmeriCorps and 
    encouraging all citizens to join in a national effort to salute 
AmeriCorps members and alumni, and raise awareness about the importance 
                   of national and community service.

Whereas the AmeriCorps national service program, since its inception in 1994, 
        has proven to be a highly effective way to engage Americans in meeting a 
        wide range of local needs, national response directives, and promote the 
        ethic of service and volunteering;
Whereas, each year, AmeriCorps provides opportunities for 75,000 citizens across 
        the Nation to give back in an intensive way to their communities, 
        States, and to the Nation;
Whereas those same individuals have improved the lives of the Nation's most 
        vulnerable citizens, protect the environment, contribute to public 
        safety, respond to disasters, and strengthen the educational system;
Whereas AmeriCorps members, after their terms of service end, remain engaged in 
        their communities as volunteers, teachers, and nonprofit professionals 
        in disproportionately high levels;
Whereas AmeriCorps members serve thousands of nonprofit organizations, schools, 
        and faith-based and community organizations each year;
Whereas, on April 21, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy 
        Serve America Act, passed by bipartisan majorities in both the House and 
        the Senate, which reauthorizes and expands AmeriCorps programs to 
        incorporate 250,000 volunteers each year;
Whereas national service programs have engaged millions of Americans in results-
        driven service in the Nation's most vulnerable communities, providing 
        hope and help to people facing economic and social needs;
Whereas, this year, as the economic downturn puts millions of Americans at risk, 
        national service and volunteering are more important than ever; and
Whereas 2009s AmeriCorps Week, observed May 9 through May 16, provides the 
        perfect opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program 
        partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members--
        and to motivate more Americans to serve their communities: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) encourages all citizens to join in a national effort to 
        salute AmeriCorps members and alumni, and raise awareness about 
        the importance of national and community service;
            (2) acknowledges the significant accomplishments of the 
        AmeriCorps members, alumni, and community partners;
            (3) recognizes the important contributions to the lives of 
        our citizens by AmeriCorps members; and
            (4) encourages citizens of all ages and backgrounds and 
        from each state to consider serving in AmeriCorps.
                                 <all>