[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2145-E2146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE VIRGINIA BEACH VOLUNTEER COUNCIL

                                 ______


                          HON. OWEN B. PICKETT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, every year, millions of Americans give 
their time, talents, and 

[[Page E 2146]]
skills, without pay, to their communities. I rise today to salute the 
work of the Volunteer Council of the city of Virginia Beach, VA, which 
is in my congressional district. The volunteer council is the city's 
umbrella organization of volunteers representing more than 30 city- and 
State-related agencies.
  America's greatest deeds come from the basic decency and compassion 
of her people. This decency and compassion is the bedrock upon which 
the volunteer workers of the city of Virginia Beach have developed 
innovative and effective volunteer partnerships to take on the most 
difficult challenges that we face as a society.
  Since 1985, ``more than 40,000 volunteers have contributed over 7 
million hours of public service and provided over 77 million dollars, 
worth of services that would not otherwise have been provided.'' 
Volunteerism has been increased in Virginia Beach by more than 200 
percent during that period. Through its network of volunteers, the 
volunteer council has been instrumental in fighting poverty, drug 
abuse, illiteracy, teen pregnancy, and the alienation of young and old. 
Volunteers of all ages have worked in the city's libraries, recreation 
centers, fire stations, rescue squads, patrol cars, and neighborhoods.
  By serving others, the volunteers of Virginia Beach have enriched 
their community. The success of the volunteer council is a reflection 
of the personal successes of thousands of community volunteers. The 
volunteer council has been instrumental in promoting the basic values 
that form the heart of voluntarism. The council and the citizen 
volunteers of Virginia Beach continue to show that success in life is 
the sum not of our possessions but of how we help our neighbors.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I insert into the Record certain materials 
documenting the proud accomplishments of the Volunteer Council of the 
city of Virginia Beach.

              Volunteers in Virginia Beach City Government

       In 1978, the Virginia Beach City Council established a 
     Volunteer Council to help city agencies develop innovative 
     and effective volunteer partnerships. Since that time, 
     volunteers have played a vital role in the delivery of 
     services and community development.
       Since 1985, more than 40,000 volunteers have contributed 
     over 7 million hours of public service and provided over $77 
     million dollars worth of services that would not otherwise 
     have been provided. Volunteerism has been increased in local 
     government by more than 200%.
       In 1994, nearly 7,000 volunteers (the equivalent of 621 
     full-time employees, or 12% of the total workforce) donated 
     more than a million hours to enhance the quality of life, 
     address human needs, increase productivity, and improve city 
     services. In a city of 421,000 people, such strong community 
     spirit and kinship are remarkable.
       The Volunteer Council is the city's umbrella organization 
     of volunteers and paid staff representing more than 30 city 
     and state-related agencies. With an annual budget of $28,000, 
     the Council provides support in training, recruiting, public 
     relations, recognition and the use of technology. The Council 
     provides overall coordination and liaison with the city 
     administration and City Council.
       Volunteers of all ages can be found in over 200 volunteer 
     opportunities in Virginia Beach city government . . . in 
     libraries, recreation centers, fire stations, ambulances, 
     museums, courts, municipal offices, health clinics, shelters, 
     patrol cars, environmental offices, and neighborhoods. 
     Selected volunteer highlights from 1994 illustrate the depth 
     of scope:
       Some 852 EMT's and cardiac technicians, the nations's 
     largest all-volunteer rescue squad, saves lives by responding 
     to 26,000 emergency calls annually.
       Social Service volunteers help people in crisis by 
     providing respite care for abused and neglected children; 
     offering day care for children from violent homes; aiding 
     foster children; helping the homeless; teaching families to 
     become self-sufficient; and distributing food and clothing to 
     those in need.
       Volunteers, ages 9-82, at the Marine Science Museum help 
     educate 400,000 visitors annually about Virginia's marine 
     environment and aid injured marine animals.
       CARE volunteers help empower at-risk neighborhoods to 
     overcome crime and social problems through leadership 
     development.
       Reside With Pride volunteers keep people aware of the need 
     to maintain houses and neighborhoods. They help needy and/or 
     elderly citizens with home improvements.
       In an innovative twist, non-violent inmates of the Virginia 
     Beach jail volunteer for city services to reduce their time 
     served and help increase work skills.
       Auxiliary police officers patrol neighborhoods protecting 
     citizens from crime. Volunteer firefighters work side-by-side 
     with the paid force to protect life and property.
       Clean Community volunteers promote litter prevention, 
     recycling, beautification and environmental awareness through 
     projects like Earth Day, Adopt-A-Highway, Clean the Bay Day, 
     and Backyard Stewardship plantings.
       Juvenile court volunteers assist in courtrooms, help 
     victims of spouse abuse, and educate first offenders.
       City volunteers help prevent drug and alcohol abuse. They 
     stimulate disabled infants, teach crafts to seniors, combat 
     illiteracy, register voters, teach wheelchair sports, and 
     help fellow citizens in a variety of programs.
       As cities across the nation face the challenge of ``doing 
     more with less'' Virginia Beach's volunteer program offers a 
     beacon of hope. Volunteer/Staff partnerships keep vital 
     services available for those who need them most.
       At the core of volunteerism in Virginia Beach city 
     government is a commitment to community, a willingness to 
     serve others, and a desire to actively participate in self 
     governance. Most of all, Virginia Beach volunteers are people 
     helping people . . . neighbors helping neighbors . . . to 
     build a better community.

                                VIRGINIA BEACH VOLUNTEER COUNCIL: 10-YEAR SUMMARY                               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Year                                Volunteers      Hours      FTE \2\      Value   
-------------------------------------------------------------------\1\------------------------------------------
1985........................................................        2,095        425,365        205   $3,223,501
1986........................................................        2,841        515,569        248    3,818,434
1987........................................................        3,151        542,757        261    4,420,009
1988........................................................        3,396        663,144        319    5,893,397
1989........................................................        3,516        723,082        348    7,478,465
1990........................................................        3,833        772,532        371    8,263,903
1991........................................................        4,933        835,352        402    9,201,753
1992........................................................        5,000      1,001,213        481   10,923,339
1993........................................................        5,500      1,066,028        513   11,335,348
1994........................................................        6,791      1,291,024        621   13,064,851
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Average Per Quarter.                                                                                        
\2\ FTE=Full Time Equivalent.                                                                                   



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