[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 3 (Thursday, January 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF PUBLIC ALLIES DELAWARE

 Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I recognize the 10th anniversity 
of Public Allies Delaware. This organization is celebrating a decade of 
mobilizing diverse groups of young leaders by both civic participation 
and community outreach. Public Allies Delaware has built a reputation 
for providing integral community service throughout Delaware. If this 
organization's first decade is any indication of what it will offer in 
the future, we have much to look forward to.
  In 1992, a diverse group of young social entrepreneurs were helped by 
a number of established community and national leaders to create Public 
Allies. They believed that there were many energetic, talented young 
people who wanted to address critical issues in their communities and 
that many organizations and communities could benefit from such 
contributions to society.
  Through the signature AmeriCorps program, Public Allies identifies 
talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their 
leadership through a 10-month program of full-time, paid 
apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, weekly leadership 
trainings, and team service projects.
  In order to effectively achieve its goals and uphold its values, the 
program consists of apprenticeships, leadership training, and team 
service projects. The apprenticeships offer Allies the opportunity to 
gain ``real world'' experience through service in nonprofit and public 
agencies. In these apprenticeships, Allies face important issues such 
as youth development, education, and public safety.
  Furthermore, the leadership training aspect of the program helps 
Allies develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities so they 
can work productively and effectively with people from all walks of 
life. Through this leadership training, Allies attain skills in 
communication, critical thinking, appreciation of diversity, conflict 
resolution, and community asset recognition from a multitude of 
community leaders, professional consultants, and executives from 
nonprofit and corporate organizations.
  Recognized by the Bush and Clinton administrations as a model for 
national service, Public Allies has grown to 11 communities nationwide 
in which more than 1,350 Allies have served. Evaluations have 
demonstrated Public Allies' effectiveness at advancing diverse young 
leaders, strengthening communities, strengthening nonprofits, and 
strengthening civic participation.
  In 1994, full-time volunteer Suzanne Sysko, founded the fourth site 
of the fledgling Public Allies national organization in Wilmington, DE. 
With her father's assistance, she obtained free office space in the PNC 
Building on Delaware Avenue. After putting together a strong Board of 
Directors, she began working with Antoine Allen in the implementation 
of the program. The first class graduated in 1995 with financial 
support from five corporations and foundations and a grant from 
AmeriCorps.
  In the 10 years subsequent to its inception, Public Allies Delaware 
has made substantial progress in the areas of funding and development. 
In 1995, the organization was able to successfully secure a 100 percent 
increase in Public Allies Delaware's Grant-in-Aid allocation from the 
State legislature. By 1998, the board and program staff members were 
able to dramatically increase program funding by obtaining a line item 
in the State of Delaware Department of Labor's operating budget.
  More recently, in 1999, the program began an invaluable partnership 
with the University of Delaware's College of Human Resources, Education 
and Public Policy. Through this affiliation, Public Allies Delaware 
alumni are offered the opportunity to supplement the education and 
experience they gained from the Public Allies program with a full-
tuition undergraduate or graduate scholarship. To date, program alumni 
have utilized more than a half million dollars of Federal Government 
scholarship funds and matching fund awards provided by the University 
of Delaware in pursuit of higher education.
  Currently, Public Allies operates both in Wilmington, DE, and at a 
new satellite site in Georgetown, DE. The program continues to maintain 
a statewide presence through 11 Allies located in Sussex and Kent 
Counties and another 11 located in New Castle County. By presenting a 
vehicle by which young people can both get involved in their community 
and receive scholarship opportunities, Public Allies Delaware has 
provided an essential service to the State.
  I thank the Public Allies for all that they do not only in Delaware 
but all across the country, and I wish them a very happy 10th 
anniversary. I today offer my full support and congratulate them on a 
remarkable decade of success.

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