[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S13379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      MATCHING AWARDS FOR EDUCATION GRANTS TO AMERICORPS GRADUATES

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I want to share with my colleagues an 
extremely exciting and momentous development in regard to the 
AmeriCorps Program. Today, eight of Rhode Island's colleges and 
universities are announcing that they have each agreed to match the 
$4,725 education grant for every Rhode Island AmeriCorps participant 
who successfully completes AmeriCorps service and attends one of the 
participating Rhode Island institutions. As a result of this 
commitment, the education benefit for successful AmeriCorps 
participation will be at least $9,450.
  As one of the first proponents of national service and of linking 
successful completion of service to an education benefit, I believe 
this is a remarkable and praiseworthy commitment to the concept of 
community service.
  I take special pride in commending each of those institutions for 
this superb commitment. They include: the University of Rhode Island, 
the Community College of Rhode Island, Brown University, Bryant 
College, Johnson and Wales University, Salve Regina University, the 
Rhode Island School of Design, and Providence College. I might add that 
several other institutions in Rhode Island are currently exploring this 
idea, and the number may well grow.
  I also want to pay special tribute to Mr. Lawrence Fish, chief 
executive officer of Citizens Financial Group in Providence, RI, who, 
as chair of the Rhode Island Commission on National Service, 
spearheaded the effort that resulted in this truly historic 
achievement.


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