[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        GENERATIONS INVIGORATING VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2008

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 5563, the ``Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education 
Act'' or the ``GIVE Act.'' I would like to thank my colleague 
Congresswoman McCarthy for introducing this important legislation, as 
well as the chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, 
Congressman George Miller, for his leadership in bringing the bill to 
the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation came to the floor last week as H.R. 
2857. It was a good bill then but it now an even better piece of 
legislation.
  The ten amendments that were incorporated into the current bill 
before this chamber provide: (1) greater integration of funding; (2) 
strengthens the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP; and (3) more 
support for our military families and veterans.
  This legislation will make vital strides toward expanding and 
improving key community service programs, including AmeriCorps, VISTA, 
Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. The GIVE Act works to ensure 
that volunteers, and the organizations that support them, will receive 
the resources that they need to continue their vital work in our 
communities.
  Today's legislation embodies the altruistic spirit that has made our 
Nation great. Great numbers of Americans donate their time and their 
unique skills and gifts to our cities and communities, without any 
expectation of compensation or material reward. According to a 2005 
study, 29 percent of the American public, or about 65.4 million people, 
had volunteered in the past year.
  This legislation engages our youth and fosters a sense of civic duty, 
which is why I was so pleased to see Section 1202 of this legislation, 
which gives special consideration to Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and 
Universities. I want to thank Representative McCarthy and 
Representative Miller for allowing me to add to this great bill. By 
adding predominately minority community colleges to the list of those 
to receive special consideration, we help so many more students who 
have a commitment to service.
  Our community colleges are growing as many of our returning veterans, 
single parents, and seniors desire to make a change in their living 
circumstances and simply cannot afford traditional higher education. A 
sense of civic engagement is not fostered only among students at 
Harvard and Berkeley; it is also found among students at community 
colleges like Houston Community College and North Harris College. I 
thank the chairman for recognizing this needed addition and 
incorporating it into the manager's amendment.
  The GIVE Act would:
  (1) increase the number of AmeriCorps volunteers from 75,000 to 
100,000 by 2012;
  (2) increase stipends for AmeriCorps volunteers from $4,725 to $5,225 
by 2012;
  (3) promote recruitment of disadvantaged youth, baby-boomers, and 
veterans into national and community service opportunities;
  (4) create an AmeriCorps Alumni Reserves Network aimed at tapping 
into the skills and experience of alumni volunteers, with a particular 
focus on assisting during emergencies or natural disasters; and
  (5) constructs an Energy Conservation Corps, which will address our 
Nation's energy and transportation infrastructure needs while providing 
work and service opportunities.
  I am disappointed that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle 
have chosen to be obstructionists to legislation that engages our 
youth, strengthens disaster and emergency preparedness, and invests in 
our volunteer and service organizations with appropriate funding. This 
bipartisan effort needs to be supported.
  I am proud to cosponsor legislation that will add service before self 
to our leaders of tomorrow. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this legislation.

                          ____________________