[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E322-E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 28, 2011

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support for reinstating 
funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service. 
Following the recent votes on the House floor, I urge my colleagues to 
recognize volunteerism as a historic and valued tradition, and we 
cannot close the door on millions of Americans who want to serve their 
country.
  As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I know firsthand the expansive 
value of service. America has an unparalleled history of extending a 
helping hand to lift up our neighbors in times of need. Now more than 
ever, we must rebuild our country and strengthen our national spirit 
through service in our communities.
  The Corporation for National and Community Service is one of our 
country's finest expressions of volunteerism. Through programs like 
AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America, CNCS creates 
important opportunities for Americans of all walks of life to offer 
their brains, brawn, and heart in service to others. I am proud to say 
that there are 1,117 folks from my district currently serving in CNCS 
programs. And they are part of a five-million strong corps of 
volunteers across the country who are dedicating part of their lives to 
meet our nation's critical needs in education, health, safety, and the 
environment.
  CNCS exemplifies the best of what America has to offer. Senior Corps 
volunteers have given over 1 billion hours of service as foster 
grandparents for at-risk youth and companions to the elderly. More than 
400,000 Americans have served in AmeriCorps on critical projects 
ranging from Hurricane Katrina and Deepwater Horizon disaster relief to 
homelessness and neighborhood revitalization around the country. And 
well over 1 million high school students have experienced the power of 
civic engagement through participating in Learn and Serve programs. 
CNCS' work touches public agencies, schools, national and local non-
profits, and faith-based organizations.
  Yet despite the critical mass of people wanting to serve and the 
widespread need for service, my colleagues have chosen to eliminate 
CNCS from our national budget. This dissonance between supply and 
demand makes absolutely no sense. For the sake of saving .03% of our 
total federal budget, my colleagues have taken away the ability for 
millions of Americans to help their fellow citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I honor the service of my constituents on the Central 
Coast and Americans across the country. I reject this legislation and 
will fight to restore robust funding so that we can continue our noble 
legacy of service to those in need for this and future generations.

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