[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S5636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       A NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I commend Americans who are 
participating in the National Day of Service. Today, people all across 
this Nation are working together in community service. As we speak, 
people of all ages and backgrounds are using their hands and hearts to 
show their American spirit.
  This day should remind us all of what it means to be an American, for 
today, our people are standing side by side. They are gathering, not to 
discuss their differences, but to pursue common goals.
  Today, Americans are standing side by side immunizing infants. They 
are standing side by side tutoring school-age children. They are 
standing side by side restoring urban parks, feeding and sheltering the 
homeless, and rehabilitating housing and community centers. Today, we 
stand united as Americans.
  In West Virginia, people in Braxton County will work together to 
create a nature trail near the Braxton County Middle School so students 
can learn more about their environment. In Welch, people are working to 
clean a vacant school so it can be converted in a facility to offer a 
safe shelter for victims of domestic violence by the local agency known 
as SAFE, Stop Abusive Family Environments. These activities for 
National Youth Service Day are just a few examples of important 
community work sponsored by the West Virginia Commission National and 
Community Service.
  This day strikes a warm, familiar chord for me personally. From 
personal experience, I know the benefit of working with others to build 
better communities.
  In 1964, the VISTA program brought me to a coal camp community in 
Emmons, WV. There, I followed Kennedy's call to service and worked with 
the people of Emmons, trying to do my small part in building a stronger 
community.
  Together, we built a baseball field and a community center. We 
brought the people much needed preventative health care. We rallied to 
bring a schoolbus to Emmons and helped to keep Emmons' kids in school.
  From personal experience, I know that community service benefits 
participants as much as it benefits communities. My work with VISTA 
taught me a very important lesson: That I can make a difference.
  Today, the people of America celebrate that same lesson: Each and 
every American can make a difference.
  Let us all be careful not to forget that important lesson at the end 
of the National Day of Service. Let us remember and reaffirm that 
lesson every day of the year.
  Why must we remember the lesson every day of the year? The reason is 
simple: Community service programs work.
  Just look at the resounding success of AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps gives 
thousands of young Americans the tools to make a difference in their 
own lives and in the lives of others.
  AmeriCorps participants perform vital services in America. Just over 
6 months ago, 85 West Virginians were sworn into AmeriCorps. Today they 
are working with 20,000 people nationwide to keep schools safe, restore 
natural resources, tutor teenagers, and more--all in exchange for 
education.
  Programs like AmeriCorps simultaneously open doors to higher 
education and help build stronger communities. They allow Americans to 
help each other, and build trust, understanding, and hope.
  Mr. President, I am proud to stand in support of the National Day of 
Service. I salute everyone working in community service. I congratulate 
each of them for making a difference.


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