[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 83 (Thursday, June 20, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPANSION OF NATIONAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES ON NATIONAL SERVICE DAY

  (Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues in 
calling for the expansion of national service opportunities on National 
Service Day. Creating a strong system of voluntary national service has 
been a signature New Democrat idea since the founding of the Democratic 
Leadership Council.
  National service promotes the New Democrat tradition of opportunity, 
responsibility and community. In Oregon, more than 37,000 people of all 
ages, all backgrounds are helping to solve problems and strengthen 
communities through 95 national service projects across the State.
  President Clinton's AmeriCorps program, the domestic Peace Corps, 
will provide over 700 Oregonians with the opportunity to spend a year 
serving in their local communities. In return, AmeriCorps participants 
will receive up to $4,725 to help pay for college.
  Seniors can also contribute their time and talents to one of three 
programs that make up the Senior Corps.
  National service volunteers have served their communities by 
providing tutoring, mentoring to students, giving support and 
information to new parents, repairing the homes of elderly and disabled 
residents, and establishing additional volunteer programs in the 
community. This should not be a special chance for a few but a way of 
life. We should all volunteer.

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