[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        GENERATIONS INVIGORATING VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
the GIVE Act and congratulate Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Miller in 
bringing this important reauthorization to the floor.
  National service builds character and communities. Volunteers in our 
communities help children succeed in schools, assist in providing 
social services, green our communities and rebuild after disasters. And 
the volunteers gain valuable experience and the satisfaction of having 
made a real difference.
  H.R. 5563 strengthens national service opportunities by recruiting 
25,000 more volunteers through a new Office of Outreach and 
Recruitment. This office will promote the recruitment of babyboomers 
and veterans. The bill also provides a new focus on youth 
opportunities. Too many youth in our communities are without positive 
activities during the summer. H.R. 5563 offers summer service 
opportunities, including a $500 educational award for college expenses.
  Volunteerism is also an important part of emergency preparedness 
efforts. This bill encourages more collaboration with national, state, 
and local units of government and creates a ``Reserve Corps'' of 
Americorps alumni for times of national need.
  With the many challenges facing the United States--both at home and 
abroad--it is more important than ever that we provide incentives and 
opportunities for Americans to give back. We saw the best of ourselves 
in the outpouring of volunteers after 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the 
bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Reauthorization of the Corporation of 
National Service will provide that kind of help for families and 
communities on an ongoing basis in a very cost-effective way.
  This is a bipartisan, widely supported bill. I urge my colleagues to 
support its passage.

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