[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E748]
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

                       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.
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, as a member of the National Service Caucus, 
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1388, the Generations 
Invigoration, and Education or GIVE Act.
  President and First Lady Obama have encouraged a renewed spirit of 
service and active citizenship in America. The GIVE Act answers that 
call to service by reauthorizing and expanding the National and 
Community Service Act of 1990.
  H.R. 1388 will increase national service opportunities for many more 
of our citizens. This bill expands AmeriCorps, an existing and 
outstanding service-learning program with a proven track record of 
integrating academic study with community service. It also creates four 
new service corps in the areas of clean energy, education, health care, 
and veteran service and adds new programs to enable middle and high-
school youth and retirees to serve their communities. Finally, this 
bill expands the National Civilian Community Corps to include disaster 
relief and energy conservation and provides funds to help non-profits 
recruit new volunteers.
  The GIVE Act more than triples the number of federal volunteers 
serving in our communities so that an estimated 250,000 Americans will 
be able to participate in a year of service by 2014. These extra 
volunteers will help their neighbors endure these tough economic times 
by improving education, providing food and other services to the 
disadvantaged, and rebuilding towns and cities after disasters. This 
bill will also strengthen the economy because every dollar invested in 
service produces up to $3.90 in direct, measurable benefits.
  Volunteerism is growing in America. From 2002 to 2007, one million 
more citizens across the country started dedicating their time to 
worthy causes. Twenty-seven percent of all Americans are now 
volunteering. My state of Minnesota has a proud tradition of civic 
engagement. In a study conducted by the Corporation for National and 
Community Service, Minneapolis-St. Paul was ranked number one for 
volunteer rates in a large city.
  American men and women who choose to better their communities and 
themselves by responding to the nation's critical education, safety, 
homeland security, and health needs exemplify the values of America. I 
want to thank every American volunteer and urge my colleagues to 
support this important bill.

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