[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E874-E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  EDWARD M. KENNEDY SERVE AMERICA ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 31, 2009

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, Americans have a long history of 
volunteerism to better their communities and help their fellow 
citizens. Benjamin Franklin created one of the first volunteer fire 
departments in Philadelphia in 1736. In 1881, Clara Barton created the 
American Red Cross to provide assistance in response to disasters. Six 
years later, the first United Way was created in Denver to help plan 
and coordinate local charitable services. In each case, people 
sacrificed their time and money for a cause in which they believed. 
This model has not only served our nation well for over 250 years, but 
has also taught generations of Americans the value of sacrificial 
actions. The vast majority of charitable programs still operate with 
great success using unpaid volunteers.
  After centuries, some now believe that government should take over 
this practice and pay people to ``volunteer.'' In 1993, AmeriCorps was 
created, implementing this

[[Page E875]]

backwards notion. Today's bill, H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating 
Volunteerism and Education Act, continues this failed policy of ``paid 
volunteerism.''
  I oppose H.R. 1388. When the government pays ``volunteers'' and 
determines which programs will benefit, this sends the wrong message. 
``Paid volunteerism'' cheapens the honest efforts of millions of people 
who volunteer at their local church, food hank, or after-school 
program. It teaches future generations that volunteerism should result 
in material reward. The basic principles of volunteerism are lost.
  ``Paid volunteerism'' also picks winners and losers among charities--
allowing the government, instead of the American people, to determine 
which charities hold value in our society. H.R. 1388 allows politically 
motivated liberal organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, Legal 
Services Association, and ACORN, to receive ``paid volunteers'' to 
advance their radical agenda.
  Not only does H.R. 1388 distort the value of volunteerism, but it 
proposes spending $6 billion over five years to expand and authorize 
programs that have been audited and considered ineffective by the 
Office of Management and Budget. In a time of spiraling deficits, I 
believe we must look for ways to cut the deficit--not increase it with 
wasteful programs.
  I am proud that America is the most compassionate and generous nation 
in the world. Our shared value of giving back to our communities has 
made this nation great. Encouraging volunteerism is a wonderful thing 
for our people and society. H.R. 1388, unfortunately, does the 
opposite. Therefore, I ask all my colleagues to join with me in 
opposing this legislation and upholding the principles of charity.

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