[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 150 (Monday, September 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE AMERICORPS PROGRAM

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, over the last few months, there 
have been a number of speeches in this Chamber and even more outside of 
it criticizing pointless partisanship. Although matters of philosophy 
and implementation do frequently divide Senators on this side of the 
aisle from those on the other side, the country has a right to expect 
that we will seize every chance to work together.
  I would have thought that national service provided a perfect 
opportunity for that common ground. Republicans and Democrats alike 
have called for greater personal responsibility, for increased 
involvement of citizens in our communities, for people pitching in to 
do what needs to be done to make America as smart and safe and strong 
as we have dreamed it could be.
  These are the very same goals of AmeriCorps, the new domestic Peace 
Corps established by Congress only 2 years ago. Just this past week, 
the first 20,000 AmeriCorps members completed their service in my State 
of Connecticut and all across the country. I know how much they have 
achieved in Connecticut.
  Forty percent of the 300 students tutored by the University of 
Bridgeport AmeriCorps members have increased their levels of 
achievement in one or more areas. AmeriCorps members in the Leadership, 
Education and Athletics in Partnership [LEAP] program trained 600 
children to volunteer at the Special Olympics when they were held in 
New Haven. Community Action for Greater Middlesex County was able to 
bring over 60 volunteers to Christmas in April, thanks to the presence 
of AmeriCorps members. They refurbished 15 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms at 
the Eddy Shelter and rehabilitated the home of 90-year-old Alice 
Taylor, who, in her own lifetime has taken care of over 1,000 foster 
children, as well as raised her own 8 children.
  AmeriCorps offers an opportunity for young people and Americans of 
all ages. It makes the dream of a college education a reality for 
families who work hard and play by the rules--while meeting compelling 
human needs in our communities in a cost effective manner.
  Independent analyses show just how cost-effective this initiative has 
been in its first year. The GAO said that the Corporation for National 
Service's resources total about $17,600 per member, which is not only 
in line with the Corporation's estimate of $18,800 per member but in 
line with what Congress authorized.
  Mr. President, the only formal cost-benefit analysis of AmeriCorps, 
done by four conservative economists, estimated a return of $1.60 to 
$2.60 in direct benefits for every dollar AmeriCorps invests.
  We need to build on this success, not walk away from it. The private 
sector poured $41 million in resources into local AmeriCorps programs 
this last year, a tremendous feat when you consider that Congress had 
called for $32 million in matching funds from all sources. We've got an 
impressive public/private partnership going here and we really need to 
nurture it.
  We won't find common ground or reach higher ground if we turn 
national service into a partisan political football. We owe those 
20,000 AmeriCorps members--and all Americans--better than that.

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