[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1075 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1075

  Recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and 
     AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the lives of the people and 
                   communities of the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 12, 2024

   Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mr. Graves of Louisiana, Mr. Kilmer, Ms. 
 DeLauro, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Ms. Norton, Mr. Carson, Mr. Cleaver, 
 Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Allred, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. 
    Kim of New Jersey, and Mr. Larson of Connecticut) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 
                           and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and 
     AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the lives of the people and 
                   communities of the United States.

Whereas, 30 years ago, Congress established the Corporation for National and 
        Community Service, now known as AmeriCorps, to unite national service 
        programs under one agency, create service opportunities that strengthen 
        communities, and expand pathways to education, careers, and civic 
        participation for those who serve;
Whereas since their inceptions, AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors national and 
        community service programs have proven to be a highly effective way--

    (1) to unite and engage the people of the United States in meeting a 
wide range of local and national needs;

    (2) to promote greater civic engagement; and

    (3) to provide pathways to education and careers;

Whereas each year, 200,000 individuals serve in AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps 
        Seniors at nearly 40,000 locations across the United States to give back 
        in an intensive way to communities, States, Territories, Tribal nations, 
        and the United States as a whole;
Whereas AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors funds have been invested in nonprofit, 
        community, educational, and faith-based organizations, as well as local 
        governments and Tribal nations, and those funds have--

    (1) leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars in outside funding and 
in-kind donations each year; and

    (2) expanded the capacity of local and national programs to deliver on 
missions that strengthen communities;

Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers have provided 
        millions of hours of service nationwide, helping--

    (1) to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people;

    (2) to protect the environment;

    (3) to contribute to public safety;

    (4) to respond to disasters and public health emergencies;

    (5) to strengthen the educational system; and

    (6) to expand economic opportunity for all;

Whereas service in AmeriCorps promotes bridge-building, collaboration, and 
        leadership skills, and AmeriCorps programs bring Americans together from 
        different backgrounds, generations, and geographic locations;
Whereas AmeriCorps funds, conducts, and disseminates research on the civic 
        health of the United States and the return on taxpayer investment in 
        national service programs;
Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers recruit and 
        supervise millions of community volunteers, demonstrating the value of 
        AmeriCorps as a powerful force for encouraging people to become involved 
        in community service;
Whereas, for more than five decades, millions of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers 
        in the RSVP, Foster Grandparent, and Senior Companion programs have 
        played an important role in strengthening communities by sharing their 
        experience, knowledge, and accomplishments with the individuals they 
        serve;
Whereas, over the past 30 years, nearly 1,300,000 individuals have taken the 
        AmeriCorps pledge to ``get things done for America'' by becoming 
        AmeriCorps members through the AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps 
        VISTA, and AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps programs;
Whereas AmeriCorps members nationwide, in return for completing their service 
        terms, have earned more than $4,500,000,000 to use to further their own 
        educational advancement and career readiness at colleges and 
        universities across the United States;
Whereas AmeriCorps is a proven pathway to employment, providing members with 
        valuable career skills, experience, and contacts to prepare them for the 
        21st century workforce;
Whereas leaders across political parties and ideologies recognize the value that 
        national service provides to their communities and country, leveraging 
        the power of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to 
        meet the most urgent and pressing needs;
Whereas national service programs have engaged millions of people in the United 
        States in results-driven service in the most vulnerable communities of 
        the United States including in rural, urban, and suburban communities, 
        providing hope and help to individuals with economic and social needs; 
        and
Whereas AmeriCorps Week, observed in 2024 from March 10 through March 16, is an 
        appropriate time for the people of the United States--

    (1) to salute current and former AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps 
Seniors volunteers for their positive impact on the lives of people in the 
United States;

    (2) to thank the community partners of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps 
Seniors for making the programs possible;

    (3) to encourage more people in the United States to become involved in 
service and volunteering; and

    (4) to celebrate the lasting impact of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps 
Seniors programs over the last 30 years: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) encourages the people of the United States to join in a 
        national effort--
                    (A) to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni and 
                AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers; and
                    (B) to raise awareness about the importance of 
                national and community service;
            (2) acknowledges the significant accomplishments across a 
        30-year history of the volunteers, members, alumni, and 
        community partners of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors;
            (3) recognizes the important contributions made by 
        AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers 
        to the lives of the people of the United States; and
            (4) encourages individuals of all ages to consider 
        opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors.
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