[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
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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.
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A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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