[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPPORT OF THE AMERICORPS PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the AmeriCorps 
program and in support of an increase in funding for this important 
initiative. AmeriCorps engages our citizens in service to meet the 
nation's critical needs in the areas of education, public safety and 
environmental protection. AmeriCorps enlists 50,000 people nationwide, 
1,400 of whom serve in Massachusetts. As you know, the program faces a 
serious financial crisis and without additional funding, 20,000 new 
service member positions will be cut and hundreds of programs will be 
at risk.
  The other body has already added additional funding in its version of 
the Supplemental Appropriations bill. The House needs to act today to 
preserve this successful program. Without the full $100 million in 
additional funding, the service programs as well as the volunteers and 
communities that rely on them will be devastated. Teach for America and 
Habitat for Humanity will see a dramatic decrease in participants and 
the infrastructure of many programs in my district including, Just a 
Start, City Year and Youth Build, do not have the resources to sustain 
any cut to their budget. These important programs respond to the needs 
of communities and my district relies heavily on these AmeriCorps 
services. AmeriCorps members tutor children, serve as mentors for 
teens, renovate low-income housing, immunize children against 
preventable diseases, and restore parks. They work with community 
leaders and provide services to Head Start children, high school 
students and senior citizens. With a loss of funding, communities will 
no longer be able to provide these essential services.
  While I remain concerned with the recent accounting errors and 
mismanagement by the Corporation for National and Community Service's 
executives, I do not believe we should punish thousands of volunteers 
for the mistakes made by the Corporation's leadership. These 
destructive cuts come at a time when our nation is depending on 
AmeriCorps service members to meet critical education, safety, homeland 
security and health needs. My district counts on AmeriCorps volunteers 
and we should be proud of their service. Let's fully fund AmeriCorps.

                          ____________________