[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        GENERATIONS INVIGORATING VOLUNTEERISM AND EDUCATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1388) to 
     reauthorize and reform the national service laws:

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I rise today to show my support 
for H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education 
Act of 2009 or the GIVE Act.
  President Obama called on Congress to create new opportunities for 
Americans to build a stronger country by helping students perform 
better in school, prepare Americans for green and innovative 21st 
century jobs, rebuild cities in times of disaster, and improve 
communities. I am proud to say that through the various programs 
contained in the GIVE Act--whether new or old but reinvigorated--this 
bill meets President Obama's call.
  Most importantly, I am pleased that this bill encourages our younger 
generations to engage in volunteerism while allowing them the 
opportunity to gain real-world experience working in our communities 
and addressing issues that are sometimes hard to face. During these 
trying times and with so many individuals losing their jobs, it is 
important to equip our youth with this type of experience.
  I support the programs in the GIVE Act because its goals seek to 
better not only our future, but the future of generations to come. I 
urge my colleagues support this bill.

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