[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E828-E829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE EDWARD M. KENNEDY SERVE AMERICA ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 31, 2009

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of The Edward M. 
Kennedy Serve America Act, which will renew our nation's commitment to 
promoting service and volunteerism.
  Public service is something my family knows a little bit about. 
Nearly five decades ago, my uncle, President John F. Kennedy, 
challenged the nation's youth to serve their country. When he said that 
famous line, ``Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you 
can do for your country'' he sent a message on the necessity for 
everyone to take an active role in our society.
  It is my hope that with the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve 
America Act, Congress and President Obama will create a new era of 
public service that goes beyond any one generation. The bill we are 
considering today expands opportunities for volunteerism to include 
disadvantaged youth, seniors and people with disabilities. It is my 
belief that if we are going to regain a sense of community and shared 
responsibility in this country, we must encourage national service 
among all people.
  There's an old saying that reads, ``The most sacred thing one person 
can give another, outside of their love, is their labor.'' That goes to 
the core of why supporting programs that promote volunteerism and 
community service is so important. Specifically, today's bill will 
renew our focus on inclusion by investing $20 million in programs that 
encourage participation of people with disabilities.
  The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will create new programs like 
the Clean Energy Corps, to focus on environmental conservation. This 
new program will work in conjunction with our economy as we forge a new 
direction in energy. This legislation creates a

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separate Veteran's Corps designed to help veterans meet the needs of 
their fellow servicemen and women; such as providing programs that help 
provide education, mentoring, and job training to fellow veterans.
  More than 4,400 seniors in Rhode Island contribute their time and 
talents in one of three Senior Corps programs which will be expanded 
within the Serve America Act. Foster Grandparents in Rhode Island serve 
more than 3,200 young people who have special needs. I am pleased that 
this bill authorizes $115 million to encourage these efforts not only 
in my state of Rhode Island, but nationwide. In addition, The Edward M. 
Kennedy Serve America Act will allow seniors to earn a $1,000 education 
award for 350 hours of service, that may be passed on to their 
children, foster child or grandchildren.
  I am pleased that this bill provides new incentives for middle and 
high school students to volunteer in their communities, and will allow 
them to earn up to $1,000 in education awards to be used for college. 
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will also establish Youth 
Engagement Zones, a service-learning program to engage low-income high 
school students and out-of-school youth in volunteer efforts.
  In my home state of Rhode Island, programs like YouthBuild Providence 
will benefit from this important legislation through funding for the 
recruitment, training and professional development of coordinators for 
the program. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will also increase 
the number of AmeriCorps volunteers and increase the education reward 
to $5,350 for 2010, to match the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award.
  Currently, more than 14,000 people of all ages and backgrounds are 
helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic 
engagement through 53 national service projects across Rhode Island. 
This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service will 
commit more than $7,300,000 to support Rhode Island communities through 
national service initiatives.
  The benefits that this legislation would bring to our struggling 
communities, across this country, and in my home state of Rhode Island, 
are endless.
  Like its namesake, this bill dedicates itself toward the promotion of 
solidarity, selflessness and courage. I will be proud to vote in favor 
of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

                          ____________________