[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E848-E849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF AMERICORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

  Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor AmeriCorps Week, and the 
nearly 12,000 Oregonians who are AmeriCorp alumni that have pledged to 
``get things done for America'' since the program began in 1994.
  Whereas service to others is a hallmark of the American character, 
and throughout our history citizens have stepped up to meet our 
challenges by volunteering in their communities; and
  Whereas those AmeriCorps members have served more than 774 million 
hours nationwide, including 14,388,200 served by residents from Oregon, 
helping to improve the lives of our State's most vulnerable citizens, 
strengthen our educational system; protect our environment, and 
contribute to our public safety, and;
  Whereas the Corporation for National and Community Service State 
Office and Oregon Volunteers! Commission on Voluntary Action and 
Service play a key role in determining where AmeriCorps resources 
should be directed to meet State and local needs; and
  Whereas residents of Oregon have earned more than $32,097,912 in 
Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to help pay for college or pay back 
student loans; and
  Whereas AmeriCorps members, after their terms of service end, remain 
engaged in our communities as volunteers, teachers, public servants, 
and nonprofit leaders in disproportionately high levels; and
  Whereas last year I cosponsored and helped pass the Edward M. Kennedy 
Serve America Act which sets AmeriCorps on a path to grow to 250,000 
members by the year 2017 and focuses AmeriCorps on critical national

[[Page E849]]

issues of education, health, clean energy, veterans, and economic 
opportunity; and
  Whereas, AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15, 2010, is an opportune time for 
the people of Oregon to salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their 
service; thank AmeriCorps' community partners; and bring more Americans 
into service: Therefore, be it
  Resolved, that I, David Wu, do hereby recognize AmeriCorps Week and 
urge citizens to thank AmeriCorps members and alumni for their service 
and to find ways to give back to their communities.

                          ____________________