[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2763-H2765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERISM

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1276) recognizing the continued importance of 
volunteerism and national service and the anniversary of the signing of 
the landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America 
Act.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1276

       Whereas April 21, 2010, marks the first anniversary of the 
     signing of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act;
       Whereas the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act 
     reauthorized the Corporation for National and Community 
     Service and its programs through 2014, expanding 
     opportunities for millions of people in the United States to 
     serve the Nation;
       Whereas the country is experiencing a wave of new 
     innovation and collaboration to increase volunteerism; as 
     social entrepreneurs try new approaches, technology increases 
     access and expands service, and corporate volunteers provide 
     pro bono skills to nonprofit organizations;
       Whereas the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act increases 
     volunteer opportunities for people in the United States of 
     all ages, with a focus on disadvantaged youth, seniors, and 
     veterans;
       Whereas the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act promotes 
     social innovation by

[[Page H2764]]

     supporting and expanding proven programs and builds capacity 
     of individuals, nonprofits, and communities to volunteer; and
       Whereas the legislation leverages service to assist in 
     meeting challenges in the areas of education, health, clean 
     energy, veterans, and economic opportunity: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes that service is of significant value to the 
     United States; and
       (2) recognizes the first anniversary of the Edward M. 
     Kennedy Serve America Act, and encourages every citizen of 
     the United States to continue to answer the call to serve.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous 
material on House Resolution 1276 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. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1276, which 
recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service 
legislation, which is the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and the 
continued importance of volunteerism and national service to our 
country.
  For many Americans, including my constituents in the Northern Mariana 
Islands, service is the most valuable way for them to contribute to 
their communities. The Serve America Act encourages all Americans--from 
at-risk youth in inner cities, to people in rural communities, to 
people in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, to seniors and veterans--to 
unite in service to their communities. This is the universal quality of 
service that Martin Luther King spoke about when he said, ``Everyone 
can be great because anyone can serve.''
  The Serve America Act expands many of the current service programs, 
including AmeriCorps, which is on a path to increasing its volunteer 
force from 75,000 to 250,000 by 2014. These new initiatives will 
specifically focus on key areas that are the foundation of our Nation's 
growth and prosperity, such as education, health care, energy, and 
veterans.

                              {time}  1500

  Young adults who join AmeriCorps VISTA commit to serve full time for 
a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working 
to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, and 
strengthen community groups. Programs like these are valuable teaching 
tools for students to apply real-world experiences to issues they may 
encounter in the classroom and to grow as individuals while giving 
back.
  Most importantly, the act seeks to revitalize our Nation's commitment 
to, and engagement in, service, especially among our Nation's youth. I 
strongly believe that our people are our most important and best 
resource, and engaging them in service puts that resource to work for 
the good of the community as a whole. I have seen the benefits, in my 
home in the Northern Mariana Islands, to the recipient of service and 
the volunteer alike, and I know that it is a rewarding experience for 
both, one that strengthens the ties of our community.
  This week also marks the 37th Annual National Volunteer Week. 
Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week celebrates the spirit of 
service that has been so important to bringing Americans together, 
especially in times of economic hardship. According to the Corporation 
for National and Community Service, 61.8 million Americans, or 26 
percent of adults, took time to contribute some volunteer service in 
2008. Those volunteers donated 8 billion hours, worth $162 billion.
  Finally, I want to recognize the person for whom this Serve America 
Act is named, the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Senator Kennedy spent 
his life serving his country, never forgetting the words spoken by his 
brother President John F. Kennedy in 1961: ``Of those to whom much is 
given, much is required.'' I am proud that we can honor Senator 
Kennedy's memory by encouraging Americans to offer service to their 
fellow citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for this resolution 
commemorating the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in support of this resolution celebrating its 1 
year anniversary.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1276, 
recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national 
service and commemorating the anniversary of the signing of this 
landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
  Albert Einstein once said, ``A person starts to live when he can live 
outside himself.'' Regardless of one's age or background, education or 
interests, experience or abilities, every American should have the 
chance to serve because all have something to contribute to the greater 
good.
  The Serve America Act increases opportunities for Americans of all 
ages to serve; supports innovation in the nonprofit sector; and ensures 
good management, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in 
organizations receiving tax dollars. The Serve America Act established 
a Summer of Service program to provide education awards for rising 
sixth through 12th graders, a Semester of Service program for high 
school students to engage in service learning, and Youth Empowerment 
Zones for secondary students and out-of-school youth. It authorizes 
Nonprofit Capacity Building grants to provide organizational 
development assistance to small and mid-size nonprofit organizations. 
In addition, it ensures that programs receiving assistance under 
national service laws are accountable by continuously evaluating them 
for effectiveness in achieving performance and cost goals.
  Today we recognize the anniversary of the signing of this legislation 
and encourage Americans to continue to answer the call to serve. I 
support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, again I express my support for this 
resolution, and I encourage all my colleagues to join me in their 
support.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1276, which 
commemorates the anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act 
and calls on the American people to consider volunteering in their 
communities. The Serve America Act, which was signed into law by 
President Obama on April 21, 2009, created additional service and 
volunteer opportunities for Americans by expanding and strengthening 
existing federal grants and programs that provide community service.
  The Serve America Act provides 175,000 new service opportunities, 
which more than triples the number of nationwide volunteers involved in 
these programs. This legislation includes initiatives to increase 
energy conservation, improve the health status of economically 
disadvantaged individuals, and enhance economic opportunity for 
economically disadvantaged individuals. Additionally, the Serve America 
Act enhanced the existing learning programs of the National and 
Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 
1973, by providing year round opportunities to improve the education of 
children and youth. The volunteers involved in these programs should be 
applauded for working to address some of the grave problems that impact 
many of their fellow Americans.
  My friend, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, came from a family with a long 
legacy of serving our country. Today, we take time to honor his memory, 
his outstanding commitment to the public service, and this final 
legislative triumph. I encourage my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, 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. 1276.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.

[[Page H2765]]

  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________