[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 30, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2903-H2904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS HIGHLIGHTED THROUGH NATIONAL VOLUNTEER 
                                  WEEK

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1119) supporting the goals and ideals 
highlighted through National Volunteer Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1119

       Whereas National Volunteer Week will be observed during the 
     week of April 27, 2008 through May 3, 2008;
       Whereas the National Volunteer Week will give Americans the 
     opportunity to thank some of our Nation's most valuable 
     assets, our volunteers, and to recognize the myriad of ways 
     they improve our communities;
       Whereas the theme of this year's National Volunteer Week is 
     ``Volunteer to Change the World'', and is about engaging 
     individuals in service, inspiring a Nation to join a movement 
     for change, and recognizing the deserving volunteers, 
     including those that have received the President's Volunteer 
     Service Award, for their work in their local communities;
       Whereas National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when 
     President Nixon signed an Executive Order establishing the 
     week as an annual celebration of volunteering, and since 
     then, every United States President, along with many 
     governors, mayors, and other elected officials has signed a 
     proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week;
       Whereas about 61,000,000 people volunteered through or for 
     an organization at least once between September 2006 and 
     September 2007, according to a recent survey by the United 
     States Bureau of Labor Statistics, which represents more than 
     a quarter of the total United States population;
       Whereas an analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study of 
     Aging found that those individuals who volunteer have lower 
     mortality rates than those who do not volunteer and research 
     shows that communities with high levels of social networks 
     have higher levels of parental engagement in schools, 
     stronger local economies, less crime, and lower incidence of 
     illnesses;
       Whereas volunteers have contributed to the enhancement and 
     improvement of communities across the United States, 
     especially with respect to the aftermath of the hurricanes on 
     the Gulf Coast; and
       Whereas National Volunteer Week will continue to build 
     awareness of the role that volunteers play in local, 
     national, and international communities, and their commitment 
     and dedication to improving lives, strengthening communities, 
     and fostering civic engagement through service and 
     volunteering: Now, therefore, be it

[[Page H2904]]

       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals highlighted through 
     National Volunteer Week;
       (2) acknowledges the diligent efforts of our major 
     federally funded community service and volunteer programs;
       (3) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the 
     millions of dedicated and caring individuals who have chosen 
     to serve others through volunteerism; and
       (4) encourages all American people, of any age and 
     background, to seek out opportunities to serve through 
     volunteerism.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days in 
which Members may have the opportunity to insert material relevant to 
H. Res. 1119 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the designation of April 27 to 
May 3, 2008, as National Volunteer Week, and to laud the efforts of 
volunteers who serve without reward to support America's communities.
  National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to engage individuals 
throughout the Nation in a common goal of service to better our Nation. 
This year's theme, Volunteer to Change the World, hopes to inspire all 
people to connect with their community and truly make a difference 
through working together to effect positive change. In addition to many 
volunteer opportunities, the week will recognize deserving volunteers 
with the President's Volunteer Service Award and other significant 
signs of thanks.
  Next week, volunteers across the Nation will work on a wide variety 
of projects. Activities range from community arts projects, school 
renovations, park rehabilitation, and many more equally engaging 
projects. With a large force of volunteers working together, National 
Volunteer Week will demonstrate the power of volunteerism and highlight 
the strength of compassion. The large number of volunteers will 
continue to inspire the Nation to mobilize for positive change and help 
people discover their ability to make a difference.
  Volunteering has far reaching positive impacts on the community as a 
whole, and even on individual volunteers themselves. Research has shown 
that communities with high levels of social capital have a higher 
quality of life. Communities with strong volunteer networks, therefore, 
are healthy and dynamic places to live and work. Additionally, data 
shows that individuals who volunteer live longer than those who do not. 
Individuals and communities reap numerous constructive benefits from 
volunteering and can be the center of positive social change.
  So, Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for National 
Volunteer Week, and recognize all the hard work that volunteers put in 
on a daily basis. I encourage more people to become volunteers and 
recognize the fact that, by working together, we can more effectively 
meet the challenges our Nation face. I urge my colleagues to support 
this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1119, which supports the 
goals and ideals highlighted through National Volunteer Week. I am 
proud to have introduced this resolution, with my National Service 
Caucus cochairs, Representatives Chris Shays, David Price, and Doris 
Matsui, as well as Representative Buck McKeon.
  Mr. Speaker, National Volunteer Week was created in 1974, when 
President Richard Nixon signed an executive order to establish the week 
as an annual celebration of volunteering. Every year since that time, 
each President of the United States, along with many Governors, mayors, 
and other elected officials, have signed a proclamation promoting 
National Volunteer Week.
  This year, National Volunteer Week is being recognized this very 
week, April 27 to May 3. Various events are being held throughout the 
Nation to promote the 2008 theme of ``Volunteer to Change the World.''
  Throughout the history of the United States, Americans have valued an 
ethic of service. Volunteering not only has a positive impact on local 
communities, but also on the volunteer himself or herself. Those 
Americans who give their time to serve are valuable assets to our local 
communities, and National Volunteer Week is our opportunity to thank 
them for their service and to encourage others to serve.
  Across our country, Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities 
are donating their time and talents to schools, churches, hospitals, 
and local nonprofits in an effort to improve their communities and 
serve a purpose greater than themselves. According to data collected 
over the past 30 years by the United States Census Bureau, Americans 
are volunteering at historically high rates. Between September 2006 and 
September 2007, 61.2 million Americans donated their time to help 
others, by mentoring students, beautifying neighborhoods, restoring 
homes after disasters, and much more.
  In fact, earlier this week I had the pleasure of participating in a 
recognition ceremony at a local senior center, the Red Land Area Senior 
Center in York County, Pennsylvania, where dozens of senior volunteers 
and others were recognized for thousands of hours of donated volunteer 
service time in 2007. In fact, the top two volunteers recognized, Jim 
Fitzkee and Leona Deardorff, each contributed almost 700 hours of 
volunteer service to this center in 2007.
  Volunteering is not only a rewarding but a necessary aspect of 
meeting the most pressing needs facing our Nation, including combating 
crime and gangs, poverty, disasters, illiteracy, and homelessness. 
Volunteering is also an important part of maintaining the health of our 
citizens, as research consistently shows that those who volunteer, 
especially those 65 years of age and older, lead healthier lives than 
those who do not engage in their communities. The intangible benefits 
alone, such as pride, satisfaction, empowerment, and accomplishment are 
worthwhile reasons to serve and give back.
  Today I would like to recognize the diligent efforts of our major 
federally funded community service and volunteer service programs, 
thank the millions of dedicated and caring volunteers for their 
service, and encourage all Americans to give of themselves to make a 
difference in their local communities. I urge my colleagues to support 
House Resolution 1119.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this 
resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1119.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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