[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 2, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2190-S2191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Coons, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs. 
        Gillibrand, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Brown, and Mr. 
        Blumenthal):
  S. 994. A bill to establish a National and Community Service 
Administration to carry out the national and volunteer service 
programs, to expand participation in such programs, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today is National Service Recognition Day, 
when we take a moment to honor AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members for 
the many contributions they make

[[Page S2191]]

in communities across the nation. As Americans, we take inspiration 
from those who have answered the call to serve, whether in defense of 
our Nation abroad or to strengthen our communities at home. The 
willingness to serve a purpose greater than ourselves is a hallmark of 
our Nation and those who commit themselves to the betterment of our 
country deserve and have earned our support. That is why this year, on 
National Service Recognition Day, I am joining Senators Coons and 
Duckworth and Congressman Larson and other colleagues in introducing 
the America's Call to Improving Opportunities Now (ACTION) for National 
Service Act of 2019. Our legislation calls for a great expansion of the 
number of service opportunities and an increased investment in those 
who serve.
  Since 1994, over one million individuals have served through the 
AmeriCorps program. Annually, roughly 220,000 seniors over the age of 
55 volunteer through the Senior Corps programs. These individuals have 
addressed critical community needs in education, economic development, 
health, and many other areas. They are among the teams of first 
responders when disaster strikes. Unfortunately, we have not created 
the capacity to support all Americans who want to serve.
  The question of service is vital to our Nation. I was proud to have 
joined my friend and colleague, the late Senator John McCain, in laying 
out a vision and plan to support and encourage service--military, 
national and public--by establishing the National Commission on 
Military, National, and Public Service. After meeting with communities 
across the country, the Commission submitted its interim report, which 
highlighted that Americans value service and are interested in pursuing 
transformative efforts to involve many more Americans in service. Yet, 
the Commission also reported that there are many barriers to service, 
particularly financial ones. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness 
about existing programs and opportunities.
  The ACTION for National Service Act will honor our national value of 
service, while addressing the barriers that limit citizens' 
opportunities to serve. Our legislation will set us on a path to one 
million national service positions within ten years. It will increase 
the educational award so that an individual completing two full years 
of service will earn the equivalent of four years of the average in-
state tuition at a public institution. Those who are willing to serve 
should not have to carry a heavy burden of student loan debt to achieve 
their educational goals. The ACTION for National Service Act will also 
ease other financial barriers to service, increasing the living 
allowance and eliminating the tax liability for the education awards 
and living stipends. The bill calls for a robust outreach campaign, 
requiring that all eligible individuals be notified of their options to 
serve. Finally, the ACTION for National Service Act calls for elevating 
the Corporation for National and Community Service to a cabinet-level 
agency and establishes a National Service Foundation to leverage 
private sector resources to support national service activities.
  Mr. President, it is time we reinvigorate the social contract between 
America and its citizenry. Americans have a deep tradition of national 
service, starting with the dedicated men and women of our armed forces 
and including all those who have served in AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, 
and the Peace Corps. However, as more Americans wish to serve, it is 
important that they be given the opportunity to do so. Just as critical 
is investing in the education and professional development of those who 
have sacrificed and given so much to our Nation. Developing the talents 
of our most committed citizens pays life-long dividends. Our investment 
in the GI Bill not only honors our service members, but also enriches 
our Nation. Similarly, the education awards for those who have served 
through our national programs have economic impacts beyond the 
individuals who earn them. That is the new deal that the ACTION for 
National Service Act offers.
  All AmeriCorps members take a pledge to get things done for 
Americans, to make communities safer, smarter and healthier, and to 
bring us together. I'd like to thank Senators Coons, Duckworth, 
Gillibrand, Klobuchar, Blumenthal, Brown, Baldwin, and Blumenthal for 
signing on as original cosponsors and urge our colleagues to join us in 
pledging to ensure that all who want to answer the call to serve can do 
so by cosponsoring the ACTION for National Service Act and working for 
its passage.
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