[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 859 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 859

          Recognizing the contributions of senior volunteers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 27, 2018

   Mr. DeFazio (for himself, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Carson of 
Indiana, Mr. Moulton, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Yarmuth, Ms. Lee, Ms. Michelle 
 Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Matsui, Ms. McCollum, 
  Mr. Pocan, Mr. Katko, Mr. Raskin, Ms. Lofgren, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. 
Roybal-Allard, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Nolan, Mr. 
 MacArthur, Ms. Shea-Porter, Ms. Norton, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Moore, Mr. 
Pallone, and Ms. Pingree) submitted the following resolution; which was 
        referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
          Recognizing the contributions of senior volunteers.

Whereas senior volunteers provide much needed services to their communities, 
        neighbors, and friends;
Whereas Senior Corps, through the RSVP, Foster Grandparent, and Senior 
        Companions programs administered by the Corporation for National and 
        Community Service, provides meaningful volunteer opportunities to 
        220,000 Americans aged 55 and above and recruits thousands of additional 
        community volunteers;
Whereas for more than five decades, RSVP volunteers, Foster Grandparents, and 
        Senior Companions have played an important role in strengthening 
        communities by contributing their experience, knowledge, and 
        accomplishments to: help their neighbors recover from natural and man-
        made disasters, provide nutrition services, mentor and tutor 
        schoolchildren, support veterans and military families, and provide 
        respite care to caregivers;
Whereas last year, Senior Corps volunteers provided 54,000,000 hours of direct 
        service through more than 25,000 nonprofit, educational, and faith-based 
        community groups nationwide;
Whereas structured volunteering by older Americans keeps them active, healthy, 
        and engaged; helps our communities by solving local problems; helps our 
        Nation by saving taxpayer dollars, reducing health care costs, and 
        strengthening our democracy; and helps seniors to live independent and 
        productive lives;
Whereas the RSVP, Foster Grandparent, and Senior Companion programs have proven 
        to be cost-effective ways to engage Americans age 55 and over in 
        volunteer service that meets pressing community needs;
Whereas the United States should expand senior volunteer service opportunities 
        to take advantage of the talents and experiences of the 10,000 baby 
        boomers who are retiring today and will do so every day for the next 20 
        years;
Whereas at a time of mounting social need and growing interest in service by 
        older Americans, the United States has an unprecedented opportunity to 
        harness the talents of 55-plus volunteers to address community 
        challenges; and
Whereas the week of April 29 through May 5, 2018, should be designated as 
        ``National Senior Corps Week'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) encourages the people of the United States to recognize 
        the contributions of senior volunteers and join in the 
        celebration of National Senior Corps Week; and
            (2) supports adequately funding the proven programs of the 
        Senior Corps programs and growing them, if possible.
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