[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 62 (Monday, April 27, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H4741-H4742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 335) supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Volunteer Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 335

       Whereas National Volunteer Week will be observed during the 
     week of April 19 through April 25, 2009;
       Whereas National Volunteer Week honors the nationwide 
     impact of volunteers in every day American communities;
       Whereas the theme of this year's National Volunteer Week is 
     ``Celebrating People in Action'', which recognizes 
     individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and 
     solving problems in their communities;
       Whereas National Volunteer Week has been an annual 
     celebration since 1974 and every President since that time 
     has signed a proclamation honoring National Volunteer Week;
       Whereas many State and local officials from around the 
     country have actively engaged their communities in 
     celebrating National Volunteer Week;
       Whereas data from the Corporation for National and 
     Community Service shows that 61,803,000 volunteers dedicated 
     8,003,840,108 hours of service to community organizations in 
     2008;
       Whereas volunteers can play a critical role in helping 
     struggling nonprofit organizations with fundraising, 
     directing services to individuals and communities in need, 
     and other skill-based assistance;
       Whereas nonprofit organizations are reporting an increase 
     in the number of inquiries from both baby boomers and young 
     people who are ready to serve our Nation;
       Whereas ``Celebrating People in Action'' is the recognition 
     that every citizen can make a difference in their community 
     by taking action through activities like building a ramp to 
     ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, tutoring a 
     child struggling to read, serving food at a homeless shelter, 
     assisting the unemployed with job readiness skills, and many 
     other services; and
       Whereas National Volunteer Week provides a moment in time 
     to honor all those who serve locally, nationally and 
     internationally to change lives, rejuvenate communities, and 
     embody the best of the American spirit of responsibility and 
     civic engagement: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Volunteer 
     Week;
       (2) recognizes the critical role of our national and 
     community service programs;
       (3) honors the contributions of all those hard-working 
     American volunteers who make a difference in their 
     communities every day of the year; and
       (4) invites all Americans to answer the call to serve 
     through volunteerism in any form.

                              {time}  1430

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the 
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentleman from Wisconsin 
(Mr. Petri) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise, extend and insert extraneous materials on House 
Resolution 335 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 335, which supports the 
ideals and goals of National Volunteer Week. People who volunteer and 
engage in community service play a vital role in neighborhoods across 
the country. National Volunteer Week invites all Americans to give back 
to the community in some form of service.
  Last week, President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy 
Serve

[[Page H4742]]

America Act. The law recognizes the necessary role volunteerism and 
service play in our country and creates 175,000 new service 
opportunities over the next several years. Through four new service 
corps, the Serve America Act will engage volunteers to work in their 
communities in the areas of health, education, green work and programs 
to support veterans and their families.
  Today, more than 400,000 individuals have volunteered through 
AmeriCorps, one of the largest national service programs working in 
local communities across the Nation. Whether it's tutoring children in 
after-school programs, cleaning up parks or serving food to the 
homeless, volunteers answer unmet needs by partnering with nonprofit 
organizations, schools, faith-based and community agencies to volunteer 
their services in local communities. Amazingly, seniors working as part 
of the Senior Corps have generated more than 1 billion volunteer 
service hours.
  Schools are also working to increase service opportunities in the 
communities. More than 1 million high school students participate in 
service-learning programs in their schools.
  On a national level, volunteers have helped America alleviate some of 
its most pressing problems. During 9/11, millions of volunteers 
responded in our country's time of need through their churches, schools 
and oftentimes as individuals wanting to help their neighbor. More 
recently, over 80,000 volunteers traveled to Fargo, North Dakota, to 
fill sandbags, strengthen levees and help flood victims evacuate their 
homes. When the call is sounded, this Nation's citizens rally together 
to begin the rebuilding that is needed.
  National Volunteer Week recognizes the critical role volunteers play 
in their communities. This week honors their hard work and 
contributions.
  I want to thank Congressman Platts for bringing this resolution 
forward and reminding us of the importance of volunteerism.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 335, a resolution supporting 
the goals and ideals of National Volunteer Week. Throughout the history 
of the United States, Americans have valued an ethic of service. 
Citizens have come together to support our troops, educate our children 
or work to ensure that less fortunate individuals have a place to live.
  All of these activities support the theme of this year's National 
Volunteer Week, ``Celebrating People in Action.'' This week gives us an 
opportunity to recognize those individuals who serve their country, not 
only through the military or through national service programs run by 
the Corporation for National and Community Service, but also those 
individuals who are donating their time to serve their local 
communities.
  Just last week our President signed the latest reauthorization of the 
national service programs. This bill was crafted through a bipartisan 
process in both the House and the Senate and builds on the reforms and 
the corporations stated by the previous administration to ensure 
additional accountability in national service programs. The bill will 
help smaller organizations participate in national service and ensure 
that the unique skills of America's veterans are utilized.
  Volunteerism is a way for Americans to connect to their communities, 
learn more about the problems facing their communities and to simply 
make a difference.
  This week we salute all volunteers and national service program 
participants for their powerful impact, and we thank all community 
partners who make these efforts possible and bring more Americans into 
service.
  I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues, Mr. Platts, 
Ms. Matsui and Mr. Price for introducing this resolution, and I ask my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 335, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National 
Volunteer Week''. I would like to thank my colleague Todd Platts for 
introducing this legislation. H. Res 335 moves to observe the week of 
April 19 through April 25, 2009 as National Volunteer Week.
  President Obama throughout his campaign for President and through the 
first 100 days of his administration has sent a steady reminder to the 
American people that the Government cannot solve all of their problems 
for them. He has encouraged Americans to get out and try to impact 
their own communities through acts of volunteerism. The President 
himself along with the help of former President Clinton and local D.C. 
children were seen planting trees for earth day. The first lady along 
with multiple spouses of congressional members has volunteered in 
multiple kitchens serving food to members of the community. This 
administration is showing clear signs that it is not only going to call 
upon the American people for action, but are clearly prepared to join 
them in their own community.
  Just last week, President Obama and this new administration took 
another giant step toward encouraging and helping the American people 
to be active in their communities with the passage of, ``The Edward M. 
Kennedy Serve America Act''. This landmark law recruits an army of 
250,000 per year to engage in intensive service, and it focuses its 
work on today's challenges, including clean energy, education, health, 
veterans care, and economic opportunity. It creates new service 
opportunities for seniors, baby boomers, and young adults, and improves 
service learning in our schools. The law also creates a Social 
Innovation Fund. This fund looks for new ideas in communities and 
leverages private, nonprofit, and faith based support to invest in 
local innovation. The fund also allows us to test the impact of new 
ideas and expand successful programs to scale. Volunteering provides 
the opportunity to join and better a community. Every American who 
volunteers can become an integral part of a school, a hospital, or a 
neighborhood. Those who give their time, join our Nation's proud 
history of service and helps preserve this tradition for generations 
ahead. During National Volunteer Week, we express heartfelt thanks to 
all who have worked hard in this effort, and we urge more Americans to 
reach out and meet the manifold unmet needs of fellow Americans.
  Many events are planned around the nation, including numerous in the 
Houston area. I urge all Americans especially those living in the 18th 
Congressional district to participate in this national week of service. 
Madam Speaker I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 335, observing 
the week of April 19-25 as National Volunteer Week. Also I urge all 
Americans to get out and participate in the many volunteer 
opportunities to take place across the nation.
  Mr. PETRI. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I also encourage all my colleagues to 
support House Resolution 335.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 335.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________