[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF THE EL PASO SERVICE CHALLENGE

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                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize those students in 
my district who participated in the El Paso Service Challenge. The 
response was inspiring and impressive. Students performed various forms 
of community service ranging from painting their schools to 
volunteering at local police and firefighter stations. I initiated the 
El Paso Service Challenge this year as a way to encourage middle and 
high school students to give back to our community during the month of 
September in remembrance of 9/11. The idea for the El Paso Service 
Challenge arose from President Obama's call to service after the 
passage of the ``Service America Act.''
  The Edward M. Kennedy ``Serve America Act'' is the most sweeping 
expansion of national service in a generation. Signed by President 
Obama on April 21, 2009, it established a nationwide ``Call to Service 
Campaign'' and designated September 11 as the National Day of Service 
and Remembrance. The swift bipartisan passage of the legislation 
reflected a national consensus that service is a powerful response to 
the economic and social challenges facing America today.
  In addition to these students, I would also like to congratulate the 
members of the El Paso Senior Campaign Program at Centro de Salud 
Familiar La Fe for their volunteer work. La Fe has operated El Paso's 
Senior Campaign Program branch since 1988. More than 80 El Paso seniors 
are currently signed up to volunteer their time and energy to help 
seniors much like themselves by providing caring home visits and 
companionship. These seniors were honored last week for performing 
73,000 hours of service in 2009, serving as a great example of a 
lifelong commitment to helping others.
  According to the Corporation for National & Community Service, since 
the ``Serve America Act'' was passed in 2009, volunteering has 
increased, momentum is strong, and a new vision for service is taking 
effect. This is certainly true in my district as evident from both the 
students who participated in the El Paso Service Challenge and the 
seniors who participated in the Senior Campaign Program at Centro de 
Salud Familiar La Fe. Indeed across our nation, Americans have joined 
with friends and neighbors to replenish food banks, provide health 
services, support veterans and military families, restore public lands, 
and more.
  At a time of great need, Americans are answering President Obama's 
call to serve.
  Giving back to the community is an important lifelong lesson. I am 
very proud to recognize the volunteering efforts of all of my 
constituents, and I hope their work will inspire others to do the same.

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