[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 136 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 136

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 29, 2023

  Mr. Cassidy (for Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Heinrich, 
 Mrs. Capito, Mr. Reed, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. 
King, Mr. Brown, Mr. Manchin, and Ms. Collins)) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


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

Whereas, since their inceptions, each of the AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors 
        national service programs have proven to be a highly effective way--

    (1) to bring people of all backgrounds throughout the United States 
together in common cause to meet the most pressing challenges of 
communities in the United States; and

    (2) to promote the ethics of service and volunteerism;

Whereas, each year, more than 200,000 individuals serve in AmeriCorps and 
        AmeriCorps Seniors at nearly 40,000 locations across the United States 
        to give back in an impactful way to communities, States, Tribal nations, 
        and the United States;
Whereas AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors funds have been invested in nonprofit, 
        community, educational, and faith-based groups, and those funds leverage 
        hundreds of millions of dollars in outside funding and in-kind support 
        each year;
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 of the United 
States;

    (2) to protect the environment and restore public lands;

    (3) to contribute to public safety;

    (4) to respond to natural disasters;

    (5) to address food insecurity and public health;

    (6) to strengthen the educational system of the United States; and

    (7) to expand economic opportunity;

Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers recruit and manage 
        millions of community volunteers, demonstrating the value of AmeriCorps 
        as a powerful force for encouraging people to become involved in 
        volunteering and community service;
Whereas, for more than 5 decades, 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, since 1994, more than 1,250,000 AmeriCorps members have taken the 
        AmeriCorps pledge to ``get things done for America'' through the 
        AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC 
        programs;
Whereas AmeriCorps members nationwide, in return for the service of those 
        members, have earned more than $4,400,000,000 to use to further their 
        own educational advancement at colleges and universities across the 
        United States and to pay back student loans;
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 and support economic competitiveness in the 
        United States;
Whereas, in 2009, Congress passed the bipartisan Serve America Act (Public Law 
        111-13; 123 Stat. 1460), which authorized the expansion of national 
        service, expanded opportunities to serve, increased efficiency and 
        accountability, and strengthened the capacity of organizations and 
        communities to solve problems;
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, providing hope and help to individuals with economic 
        and social needs;
Whereas national service and volunteerism demonstrate the best of the spirit of 
        the United States, with people solving problems by working together to 
        find community solutions; and
Whereas AmeriCorps Week, observed in 2023 from March 12 through March 18, 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 generations of Americans;

    (2) to thank the grantees, State service commissions, and community 
partners of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors for making the programs 
possible; and

    (3) to encourage more people in the United States to become involved in 
service and volunteering: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (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 of the 
        members, volunteers, 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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