[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 116 (Thursday, July 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1565]]
  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 17, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3043) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes:
  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition of the Stearns 
Amendment to the FY 2008 Labor-HHS-Education and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act. This amendment would cut vital funding from the 
Corporation for National and Community Service. I am proud to be a part 
of those standing up in support of the corporation. I believe strongly 
that the programs supported by the Corporation embody the spirit of the 
American people, and it is important for Members of Congress to 
continue to support these programs.
  As a Co-Chair of the National Service Caucus, it is a pleasure to 
call attention to the tremendous work of those involved at every level 
and in every program of the corporation. As a part of the corporation, 
AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all 
ages and backgrounds in service. Since AmeriCorps was established in 
1994, AmeriCorps members have performed over 637 million hours of 
service that help in each of our communities.
  Through programs such as AmeriCorps State and National, Volunteers in 
Service to America (VISTA), and National Civilian Community Corps 
(NCCC), AmeriCorps volunteers address critical needs in our 
communities.
  These generous men and women help supplement opportunities and 
programs in the areas of education, public safety, disaster response 
and recovery, and environment preservation.
  As a result of the great work of AmeriCorps members, extraordinary 
things are happening all around America. The Corporation supports such 
important non-profit organizations as Habitat for Humanity, City Year, 
Red Cross and Teach for America. AmeriCorps volunteers have 
built homes, healed wounds, and taught elementary school kids. These 
volunteers are part of the backbone of America.

  With very little funding, AmeriCorps members leverage millions of 
dollars and perform crucial work in classrooms, in national parks, and 
in areas of our nation hit by disaster. As a result, I hope that my 
colleagues will support AmeriCorps programs and vote against this 
amendment. The spirit of service that is so important to all of our 
communities is one that should be encouraged, not stripped of federal 
support.
  Madam Chairman, I want to extend my greatest appreciation to those 
who have served our country through AmeriCorps programs. These 
volunteers have embraced the American spirit of volunteerism, and they 
are to be applauded for their service.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this misguided amendment.

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