[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 68 (Friday, May 7, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S3410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 516--RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICORPS 
        MEMBERS TO THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Mr. Dodd) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 516

       Whereas, since its inception in 1994, the AmeriCorps 
     national service program has proven to be a highly effective 
     way to engage the people of the United States in meeting a 
     wide range of local and national needs and promoting the 
     ethic of service and volunteering;
       Whereas, each year, AmeriCorps provides opportunities for 
     approximately 85,000 individuals across the United States to 
     give back in an intensive way to their communities, their 
     States, and the Nation;
       Whereas those individuals improve the lives of the Nation's 
     most vulnerable citizens, protect the environment, contribute 
     to public safety, respond to disasters, and strengthen the 
     educational system;
       Whereas AmeriCorps members serve thousands of nonprofit 
     organizations, schools, and faith-based and community 
     organizations each year;
       Whereas AmeriCorps members, after their terms of service 
     end, are more likely to remain engaged in their communities 
     as volunteers, teachers, and nonprofit professionals than the 
     average individual;
       Whereas, on April 21, 2009, President Barack Obama signed 
     the Serve America Act (Public Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460) 
     into law, which was passed by bipartisan majorities in both 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate and reauthorized 
     AmeriCorps and will expand AmeriCorps programs to incorporate 
     250,000 members each year;
       Whereas national service programs have engaged millions of 
     people in the United States in results-driven service in the 
     Nation's most vulnerable communities, providing hope and help 
     to people facing economic and social needs;
       Whereas, in 2010, as the economic downturn puts millions of 
     people in the United States at risk, national service and 
     volunteering are more important than ever; and
       Whereas AmeriCorps Week, observed in 2010 from May 8 
     through May 15, provides the perfect opportunity for 
     AmeriCorps members, alumni, grantees, program partners, and 
     friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by AmeriCorps 
     members and to motivate more people in the United States to 
     serve their communities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the contributions of AmeriCorps members to 
     the lives of the people of the United States;
       (2) acknowledges the significant accomplishments of 
     AmeriCorps members, alumni, and community partners; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to join in a 
     national effort to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni and 
     raise awareness about the importance of national and 
     community service.

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