[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 30, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H10082-H10083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL LEARN AND SERVE CHALLENGE

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 769) recognizing the benefits of service-learning 
as a teaching strategy to effectively engage youth in the community and 
classroom, and expressing support for the goals of the National Learn 
and Serve Challenge.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 769

       Whereas service-learning is a teaching method that enhances 
     academic learning by integrating classroom content with 
     relevant activities aimed at addressing identified community 
     or school needs;
       Whereas service-learning has been used both in school and 
     community-based settings as a teaching strategy to enhance 
     learning by building on youth experiences, granting youth a 
     voice in learning, and making instructional goals and 
     objectives more relevant to youth;
       Whereas service-learning has been identified as an 
     effective tool in addressing the Nation's dropout epidemic by 
     making education more hands-on and relevant, and has been 
     especially effective in addressing the epidemic with respect 
     to disadvantaged youth;
       Whereas service-learning is proven to provide the greatest 
     benefits to disadvantaged and at-risk youth by building self-
     confidence, which often translates into overall academic and 
     personal success;
       Whereas service-learning provides not only meaningful 
     experiences, but a greater quantity and quality of 
     interactions between youth and potential mentors in the 
     community;
       Whereas service-learning simultaneously empowers youth as 
     actively engaged learners, citizens, and contributors to the 
     community;
       Whereas youth engaged in service-learning provide critical 
     service to the community by addressing a variety of needs in 
     towns, cities, and States, including needs such as tutoring 
     young children, elderly care, community nutrition, disaster 
     relief, environmental stewardship, financial education, 
     public safety, and a host of other needs;
       Whereas far reaching and diverse research base shows that 
     service-learning enhances the academic, career, cognitive, 
     and civic development of kindergarten through 12th-grade 
     students, and of higher education students;
       Whereas service-learning strengthens and increases the 
     number of partnerships among institutions of higher 
     education, local schools, and communities, which strengthens 
     communities and improves academic learning;
       Whereas service-learning programs unleash a multitude of 
     skilled and enthusiastic college students to serve in the 
     communities surrounding their colleges;
       Whereas service-learning programs engage students in 
     actively addressing and solving pressing community issues and 
     are strengthening the ability of nonprofit organizations to 
     meet community needs;
       Whereas Learn and Serve America, a program established 
     under subtitle B of title I of the National and Community 
     Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12521 et seq.), is the only 
     federally funded program dedicated to service-learning and 
     engages over 1,100,000 youth in service-learning annually;
       Whereas Learn and Serve America is a highly cost-effective 
     program, averaging approximately $25 per participant and 
     leveraging $1 for every Federal dollar invested; and
       Whereas the National Learn and Serve Challenge is an annual 
     event that is taking place this year from October 5 through 
     October 11, 2009, that spotlights the value of service-
     learning to young people as well as schools, college 
     campuses, and communities, encourages others to launch 
     service-learning activities, and increases recognition of 
     Learn and Serve America: Now, therefore, be it:
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the benefits of service-learning in--
       (A) enriching and enhancing academic outcomes for youth;
       (B) engaging youth in positive experiences in the 
     community; and
       (C) encouraging youth to make more constructive choices 
     with regards to their lives;
       (2) encourages schools, school districts, college campuses, 
     community-based organizations, nonprofits, and faith-based 
     organizations to work towards providing youth with more 
     service-learning opportunities; and
       (3) expresses support for the goals of the National Learn 
     and Serve Challenge.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Chu) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
769 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. CHU. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the benefits of service-
learning as a teaching strategy to effectively engage youth in the 
community and classroom, and to support the goals of the National Learn 
and Serve Challenge. I want to thank my colleagues from the National 
Service Caucus, Mr. Platts, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Price, and Mr. 
Kennedy, for introducing this important resolution.
  Service-learning is an educational model that can be used from 
kindergarten to the university level across all subjects and 
disciplines. By integrating learning in the classroom with real world 
challenges in the community, service-learning can make school 
assignments come alive for typically disconnected students. By 
affording students the opportunity to apply their lessons to solving 
real problems in their surrounding communities, we are not only 
engaging our students, but we are also helping to improve our local 
neighborhoods.
  Research has shown long-term positive impacts associated with 
service-learning, including increased academic achievement, enhanced 
school engagement, positive civic attitudes, and improved social and 
personal skills. Students who complete a service project that has a 
direct tie to their curriculum are able to develop better problem-
solving skills and have a better understanding of cognitive 
complexities. Studies have also shown a connection between service-
learning and higher grades and test scores.
  Service-learning is also a successful strategy for keeping students 
engaged in school and makes students less likely to drop out. More than 
just community service, service-learning applies classroom skills by 
asking students to investigate a challenge in their community, plan 
solutions, take action through service, and then reflect on the 
experience and the results. Students who are engaged in this process 
become more involved in their studies and in their neighborhoods. In 
fact, studies have shown that service-learners have better school 
attendance and more acceptable school behaviors than their peers.
  Service-learning also promotes positive civic attitudes and fosters 
involvement in our democracy. Research suggests that students involved 
in service-learning opportunities build self-confidence, leadership 
skills, and increase their tolerance of others. Further studies have 
also shown that high school students that participated in service-
learning are more likely to vote 15 years after their experience than 
those that did not participate.
  Finally, students who are exposed to service-learning build important 
social and personal skills. Service-learning serves as an on-ramp to 
civic engagement for a lifetime. Students who are involved with service 
develop strong ethics and a sense of social responsibility. 
Participation in those programs has also been shown to reduce negative 
behaviors such as those that lead to arrest or pregnancy.
  In order to call attention to the many benefits of service-learning, 
the National Learn and Serve Challenge will take place October 5-11. 
This week-long nationwide celebration of service will raise awareness 
of service-learning and foster collaborative partnerships between local 
schools, institutions of higher education, and their surrounding 
communities. The organization has set an ambitious goal of having 5 
million college students and 50 percent of K-12 schools engaged in 
meaningful service by 2010.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for the National Learn 
and Serve Challenge, and I encourage more schools to take advantage of 
the many benefits service-learning can have on

[[Page H10083]]

our students and our communities. I urge my colleagues to pass this 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 769, a resolution 
recognizing the benefits of service-learning as a strategy to 
effectively engage youth in the classroom and community and expressing 
support for the goals of the Learn and Serve Challenge.
  The National Learn and Serve Challenge is an annual event that takes 
place from October 5 to 11 and highlights the importance of engaging 
young people in community service. Through service-learning, students 
conduct community service projects which teachers then use to teach 
academic lessons in the classroom.
  The challenge encourages young people to participate in special 
events and community outreach projects. It also encourages young people 
to develop and launch their own service-learning activities. These 
projects also help students see the real-life relevance of what they 
are learning in the classroom and apply their new knowledge in a 
practical manner.
  I recognize the value of engaging youth in service in the community, 
and I honor the goals of the National Learn and Serve Challenge. I urge 
my colleagues to support this resolution, and also, Mr. Speaker, I 
think that young people learn to give back to their community and leave 
their community a little bit better than they found it through this 
project.
  I yield the balance of my time.
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the remainder of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 769.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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