[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 154 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 282--COMMEMORATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

  Mr. NELSON (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. 
Murray, Mr. Warner, Mr. Coons, Mr. Brown, Mr. Franken, Mr. Bennet, Mr. 
Harkin, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Begich, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. 
Tester, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Markey, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Ms. 
Warren, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Baucus, 
and Mr. Johanns) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to.:

                              S. Res. 282

       Whereas the Corporation for National and Community Service 
     (in this preamble referred to as the ``CNCS'') was 
     established under section 191 of the National and Community 
     Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12651), as added by section 
     202 of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 
     (Public Law 103-82; 107 Stat. 873);
       Whereas, since 1993, the CNCS has operated as an 
     independent Federal agency, overseeing all national and 
     community service programs authorized by the National and 
     Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.) and 
     the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4950 et 
     seq.);
       Whereas the CNCS connects people of all ages and 
     backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their 
     communities and the United States;
       Whereas programs conducted by the CNCS strive to address 
     national and local needs, while renewing an ethic of civic 
     responsibility and community spirit in the United States by 
     encouraging citizens to participate in service;
       Whereas, since 1993, millions of people in the United 
     States have served in AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Learn and 
     Serve America, and other CNCS programs, addressing the most 
     pressing challenges facing the United States, from helping 
     students graduate and supporting veterans and military 
     families to preserving the environment and helping 
     communities recover from natural disasters;
       Whereas participants serve in tens of thousands of 
     locations across the country, bolstering the civic, 
     neighborhood, and faith-based organizations that are so vital 
     to the economic and social well-being of the people of the 
     United States;
       Whereas national service expands economic opportunity by 
     creating more sustainable, resilient communities and 
     providing education, career skills, and leadership abilities 
     for those who serve;
       Whereas national service represents a partnership between 
     public and private organizations, invests in community 
     solutions, and leverages State and local resources to 
     strengthen community impact;
       Whereas, in 2009, Congress passed the Serve America Act 
     (Public Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460), authorizing the 
     expansion of national service, expanding opportunities to 
     serve, increasing efficiency and accountability, and 
     strengthening the capacity of organizations and communities 
     to solve problems through the Social Innovation Fund, the 
     Volunteer Generation Fund, and other initiatives;
       Whereas AmeriCorps and Senior Corps support the military 
     community by engaging veterans in service, helping veterans 
     readjust to civilian life, and providing support to military 
     families;
       Whereas more than 17,000 veterans have served as AmeriCorps 
     members and have helped veterans and military families access 
     benefits and services, conduct job searches, and provide safe 
     and affordable housing;
       Whereas the CNCS is working to increase the number of 
     veterans and military families served by and engaged in 
     programs supported by the CNCS;
       Whereas, since 1994, CNCS programs and members have 
     provided critical services to millions of people in the 
     United States who have been affected by floods, fires, 
     hurricanes, tornadoes, and other disasters and emergencies, 
     helping families and communities rebuild their lives;
       Whereas the CNCS has partnered with the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency to launch FEMA Corps, which strives to 
     strengthen the disaster response capacity of the United 
     States, increase the reliability and diversity of the 
     disaster response workforce, promote an ethic of service, and 
     prepare young people for careers in emergency management; and
       Whereas the Task Force on Expanding National Service 
     established in July 2013 is working to expand national 
     service opportunities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates the 20th anniversary of the establishment 
     of the Corporation for National and Community Service;
       (2) recognizes that, for 20 years, the Corporation for 
     National and Community Service has worked to improve lives, 
     strengthen communities, expand economic opportunity, foster 
     innovation and civic engagement, and engage millions of 
     people in the United States in solving critical problems 
     through national service;
       (3) recognizes that, since the inception of AmeriCorps in 
     1994, more than 820,000 people have served as AmeriCorps 
     members, serving approximately 1,000,000,000 hours, 
     mobilizing millions of volunteers, and improving the lives of 
     countless people in the United States;
       (4) welcomes the efforts of the Corporation for National 
     and Community Service to increase the involvement of veterans 
     and military families in national service and to expand 
     services to the military community;
       (5) recognizes the goal of the Serve America Act (Public 
     Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460) to increase the number of 
     approved national service positions to 250,000 by 2017; and
       (6) recognizes and thanks all those who have served in 
     AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs conducted by the 
     Corporation for National and Community Service for 
     demonstrating commitment, dedication, and patriotism through 
     their service to the people of the United States.

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