[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 326 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 326

            Recognizing the 25th anniversary of AmeriCorps.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 24, 2019

    Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Jones, Mr. Markey, Ms. 
  Klobuchar, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Carper, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Casey, Mr. 
   Cardin, Mr. Wicker, Ms. Collins, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Van 
Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Reed, Mr. King, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Booker, Ms. 
Baldwin, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Tester, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Hassan, 
Mr. Peters, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Harris, Ms. Hirono, and Ms. 
  Smith) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
            Recognizing the 25th anniversary of AmeriCorps.

Whereas the spirit of service has defined the United States and strengthened the 
        bonds of community for nearly 250 years;
Whereas September 12, 2019, will mark the 25th anniversary of the first class of 
        AmeriCorps members, who pledged to ``get things done'';
Whereas, since 1994, more than 1,100,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds 
        have joined AmeriCorps, serving more than 1,500,000,000 hours and 
        improving the lives of countless people in the United States;
Whereas AmeriCorps members address the most pressing challenges facing the 
        United States by educating students for jobs of the 21st century, 
        expanding economic opportunity, addressing the needs of military 
        families and a generation of veterans returning from war, helping 
        communities rebuild after natural disasters, supporting communities 
        combatting the opioid epidemic, and preserving the parks and public 
        lands of the United States;
Whereas approximately 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve each year in more than 
        21,000 locations nationwide and, along with more than 200,000 Senior 
        Corps volunteers serving in more than 23,000 locations, bolster the 
        civic, neighborhood, and faith-based organizations that are so vital to 
        the well-being of the United States;
Whereas AmeriCorps expands opportunities for AmeriCorps members by providing 
        experience, career skills, and support for higher education, and, since 
        1994, AmeriCorps members have earned more than $3,700,000,000 in Segal 
        AmeriCorps Education Awards to repay qualified student loans or pay for 
        other higher education expenses;
Whereas AmeriCorps is a model public-private partnership that generates hundreds 
        of millions of dollars of nongovernmental resources each year to 
        strengthen community impact and increase return on taxpayer dollars;
Whereas AmeriCorps, working hand-in-hand with its network of Governor-appointed 
        State service commissions, has developed an efficient and effective 
        structure for engaging individuals in results-driven service that is 
        poised for further growth and success in the future;
Whereas AmeriCorps was built upon decades-old legacies of citizen service 
        established by the Peace Corps, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the 
        Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program, the Senior Companion 
        Program, the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Retired and Senior 
        Volunteer Program (RSVP);
Whereas national service programs create understanding that unites citizens and 
        bridges gaps across races, generations, social classes, and geographic 
        boundaries;
Whereas national service brings tangible benefits to the communities being 
        served as well as to individuals providing the service, including 
        improved health, expanded economic opportunity, and increased civic 
        participation;
Whereas AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers demonstrate commitment, 
        dedication, and patriotism by making an intensive commitment to service 
        and, after their terms of service, remain engaged in our communities as 
        volunteers, public servants, and civic leaders at disproportionately 
        high rates; and
Whereas the Corporation for National and Community Service has led efforts to 
        improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement 
        through service and volunteering in the United States for the last 
        quarter century: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) acknowledges the significant impact and value of 
        AmeriCorps members, alumni, and community partners over the 
        past 25 years;
            (2) recognizes the legacy of service of Senior Corps 
        volunteers and all of the national service members in the 
        United States; and
            (3) encourages citizens of all ages to find ways to give 
        back to their communities and the United States through 
        AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs.
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