[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROTECT OUR VOLUNTEERS SO THAT THEY MAY CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR NATION 
                     WITHOUT THE THREAT OF LAWSUITS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 1997

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to support passage of H.R. 911, 
the Volunteer Protection Act.
  A Gallup study found that nearly 20 percent of all nonprofit 
organizations in the United States have experienced volunteers 
withholding service or resigning due to fear of liability exposure.
  I want to clear up some misconceptions about the bill. H.R. 911 
provides only limited tort claim liability protection for nonprofit or 
governmental volunteers acting in good faith and within the scope of 
their duties.
  H.R. 911 does not shield volunteers from lawsuits for harm caused by 
willful or criminal misconduct.
  Hate crimes committed by groups or individuals are fully liable for 
their actions and are not exempt from prosecution under the willful or 
criminal misconduct provision. The committee adopted an amendment 
clarifying that groups engaged in activities covered under the Hate 
Crimes Statistics Act are not exempt.
  One might wonder if it is necessary for Congress to enact legislation 
to protect volunteers. It is in the interest of the Federal Government 
to encourage the continued operation of volunteer service organizations 
and contributions of volunteers because the Federal Government lacks 
the capacity to carry out all of the services provided by such 
organizations and volunteers.
  In the spirit of voluntarism, we must find the ways and means to make 
citizen service the common expectation and the common experience of 
every American.
  This bill will open the door for the many Americans withholding their 
services due to fear of exposure to liability suits. I am pleased that 
the House approved H.R. 911 today.

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