[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 81 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2000

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the National and 
Community Service Amendments Act of 2000 which I have introduced today 
with my colleague from New Jersey, Mr. Andrews.
  As a strong fiscal conservative, I believe National Service is one of 
the wisest and least costly investments our government can make. Every 
$1 spent on AmeriCorps generates $1.66 in benefits to the community; 
every full-time AmeriCorps member generates an average of 12 additional 
volunteers.
  AmeriCorps is one of the most successful experiments in state and 
local control the federal government has ever embarked upon: two-thirds 
of AmeriCorps funding goes directly to Governor-appointed state 
commissions which then make grants to local non-profits.
  Through service, Americans of all ages gain a sense of commitment to 
their community and their country which will prove valuable for their 
entire lives.
  Since 1994 more than 150,000 Americans have served as AmeriCorps 
members in all 50 states. They have taught, tutored, or mentored more 
than 2.5 million students; recruited, supervised, or trained more than 
1.6 million volunteers; built or rehabilitated more than 25,000 homes; 
provided living assistance to more than 208,000 senior citizens; and 
planted more than 52 million trees.
  National Service is a powerful force in every state in the Union. 
This year, my state alone has nearly 14,000 National Service members 
solving problems and helping people. Of that total, AmeriCorps is 
providing 790 people the opportunity to dedicate a year to community 
service, Learn and Serve America creates the opportunity for 6,500 
students from kindergarten through college to dedicate their time, and 
the National Senior Service Corps brings together 6,300 seniors to 
contribute their time as Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions or 
Retired and Senior Volunteers.
  The National and Community Service Amendments Act of 2000 
reauthorizes the Corporation for National Service and the programs it 
administers: the National Senior Service Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn 
and Serve America.
  This bill has been drafted in close consultation with more than 200 
community service groups. It is a simple extension of the existing 
program, with a few key improvements.
  This bill codifies the cost-cutting Grassley agreement reached in 
1996 under which the Corporation lowered its average cost per 
AmeriCorps member to $15,000 for Fiscal Year 1999, including a $4,725 
education award to finance college or repay student loans, and a mere 
$7,421 for a living allowance.
  The reauthorization expands the cost-cutting ``Education Award Only'' 
model, through which the Corporation provides only the education award, 
and the sponsoring organization provides all other support.
  It also codifies the existing prohibition on AmeriCorps grants to 
federal agencies and expands the type of student loans that may be 
repaid with the education award.
  This bill broadens the scope of the National Senior Service Corps by 
lowering the minimum age from 60 to 55 so more volunteers may 
participate, and by increasing the definition of ``low income'' from 
125 to 150 percent of the poverty line so more can be served by Foster 
Grandparents and Senior Companions.
  These improvements will make National Service better than it has ever 
been.
  AmeriCorps members are not only helping meet the immediate needs in 
our communities, they are also teaching, through their example, the 
importance of serving and helping others. As a former Peace Corps 
volunteer, I know the significance of this long-lasting lesson.
  Our youth want so desperately to take hold of their destiny and work 
to ensure a brighter and more prosperous future. There is so much they 
can do--all they need is the opportunity.

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