[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E932-E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CITIZEN SERVICE ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER HOEKSTRA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 24, 2002

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Citizen Service 
Act of 2002 to reauthorize programs under the Corporation for National 
and Community Service. I would like to thank the Ranking Member of the 
Subcommittee on Select Education, Mr. Roemer, for working with me to 
put together a bipartisan bill to reauthorize and reform the national 
service laws.
  On April 9, 2002, President Bush unveiled his ``Principles and 
Reforms for a Citizen Service Act'' to guide the reauthorization of the 
Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs, which 
include AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. Since 
then, the Subcommittee on Select Education has worked in a bipartisan 
manner with the Administration to craft legislation to reform and 
enhance national service.
  The major federally funded community service and volunteer programs 
in this country are authorized under two statutes: the National and 
Community Service Act and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act. The bill 
I am introducing today provides reforms and improvements to these 
national service laws. The improvements in the Citizen Service Act of 
2002 will allow organizations and volunteers assisted under these acts 
to maximize their efforts and will greatly benefit those assisted 
through volunteer efforts.
  The Citizen Service Act of 2002 focuses on four major objectives for 
reauthorization. This legislation will: (1) support and encourage 
greater engagement of citizens in volunteering; (2) make federal funds 
more responsive to State and local needs; (3) make federal support more 
accountable and effective; and (4) provide greater assistance to 
community-based organizations (which include religious organizations). 
This legislation also addresses several specific issues that will help 
to improve national service provisions found in current law.
  Prohibition on Grants to Federal Agencies--Prohibits the Corporation 
from making grants to Federal agencies.
  Literacy Programs--Requires literacy programs to be based on 
scientifically based reading research and ensures that programs provide 
instruction based on the essential components of reading instruction as 
defined in P.L. 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act.
  Funding Allocations--Allocates funding for AmeriCorps programs as 
follows: up to 20

[[Page E933]]

percent of funds for national direct competitive grants; and at least 
35 percent of funds for State competitive grants; and 45 percent of 
funds for States by formula based on population.
  Pilot Authority--Authorizes the CEO of the Corporation to reserve 
funds to support pilot programs, such as member-based national service 
positions that allow participants to select community service 
activities.
  Referrals for Federal Assistance--Prohibits funding for programs 
under the national service laws that only refer individuals to Federal 
and State assistance programs.
  Sex Education Programs--Prohibits funding for sex education programs 
under the national service laws that do not meet the general 
prohibitions of P.L. 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act.
  Parental Consent--Requires consultation with the parents of children 
when developing and operating programs that include and serve children 
and requires the provision of the reason for, and permission of, 
parents before transporting minor children (consistent with State law).
  Accountability Measures--Requires the Corporation to work with 
grantees to establish performance measures; requires grantees to design 
corrective plans if they fail to meet performance measures; and 
provides authority for the Corporation to reduce or terminate grants if 
corrections are not made.
  Limitation on Program Costs--Caps Federal costs for programs under 
the national service laws at $16,000. Permits the CEO of the 
Corporation to issue a waiver to assist grantees in meeting compelling 
needs (up to $18,000 for costs related to such things as the 
participation of individuals with disabilities and initial start-up 
costs for religious organizations and up to $20,000 for residential 
programs). Requires the CEO of the Corporation to report to Congress 
annually on all waivers granted.
  Senior Scholarships--Authorizes a senior scholarship to support 
tutoring, mentoring, and other service by seniors, who may receive or 
transfer a $1,000 scholarship.
  Senior Corps Income Eligibility--Provides that a stipend may be made 
available to a Senior Corps participant with an income that is 200 
percent of poverty (under current law it is 125 percent of poverty) and 
allows the Director to use up to 15 percent of funds for participants 
with incomes above 200 percent of poverty as long as the program, 
following innovative efforts to recruit, is not able to effectively 
recruit and place low-income participants.
  The spirit of community service in our country is stronger than ever 
because of the tragedy our Nation has endured. Since so many Americans 
are looking for a sense of community and looking for ways to contribute 
constructively to their communities, we must take this opportunity to 
reform our Nation's service laws. The principles outlined by President 
Bush and included in the Citizen Service Act of 2002 seek to build on 
this spirit and will help to sustain it in the future. I urge my 
colleagues to join me and the other original co-sponsors in support of 
the Citizen Service Act of 2002.

                          ____________________