[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1057-S1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 136--RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICORPS 
 MEMBERS AND ALUMNI AND AMERICORPS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS TO THE LIVES OF 
                    THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. CASSIDY (for Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Heinrich, 
Mrs. Capito, Mr. Reed, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. 
King, Mr. Brown, Mr. Manchin, and Ms. Collins)) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 136

       Whereas, since their inceptions, each of the AmeriCorps and 
     AmeriCorps Seniors national service programs have proven to 
     be a highly effective way--
       (1) to bring people of all backgrounds throughout the 
     United States together in common cause to meet the most 
     pressing challenges of communities in the United States; and
       (2) to promote the ethics of service and volunteerism;
       Whereas, each year, more than 200,000 individuals serve in 
     AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors at nearly 40,000 locations 
     across the United States to give back in an impactful way to 
     communities, States, Tribal nations, and the United States;

[[Page S1058]]

       Whereas AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors funds have been 
     invested in nonprofit, community, educational, and faith-
     based groups, and those funds leverage hundreds of millions 
     of dollars in outside funding and in-kind support each year;
       Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors 
     volunteers have provided millions of hours of service 
     nationwide, helping--
       (1) to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people of 
     the United States;
       (2) to protect the environment and restore public lands;
       (3) to contribute to public safety;
       (4) to respond to natural disasters;
       (5) to address food insecurity and public health;
       (6) to strengthen the educational system of the United 
     States; and
       (7) to expand economic opportunity;
       Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors 
     volunteers recruit and manage millions of community 
     volunteers, demonstrating the value of AmeriCorps as a 
     powerful force for encouraging people to become involved in 
     volunteering and community service;
       Whereas, for more than 5 decades, AmeriCorps Seniors 
     volunteers in the RSVP, Foster Grandparent, and Senior 
     Companion programs have played an important role in 
     strengthening communities by sharing their experience, 
     knowledge, and accomplishments with the individuals they 
     serve;
       Whereas, since 1994, more than 1,250,000 AmeriCorps members 
     have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to ``get things done for 
     America'' through the AmeriCorps State and National, 
     AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC programs;
       Whereas AmeriCorps members nationwide, in return for the 
     service of those members, have earned more than 
     $4,400,000,000 to use to further their own educational 
     advancement at colleges and universities across the United 
     States and to pay back student loans;
       Whereas AmeriCorps is a proven pathway to employment, 
     providing members with valuable career skills, experience, 
     and contacts to prepare them for the 21st century workforce 
     and support economic competitiveness in the United States;
       Whereas, in 2009, Congress passed the bipartisan Serve 
     America Act (Public Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460), which 
     authorized the expansion of national service, expanded 
     opportunities to serve, increased efficiency and 
     accountability, and strengthened the capacity of 
     organizations and communities to solve problems;
       Whereas national service programs have engaged millions of 
     people in the United States in results-driven service in the 
     most vulnerable communities of the United States, providing 
     hope and help to individuals with economic and social needs;
       Whereas national service and volunteerism demonstrate the 
     best of the spirit of the United States, with people solving 
     problems by working together to find community solutions; and
       Whereas AmeriCorps Week, observed in 2023 from March 12 
     through March 18, is an appropriate time for the people of 
     the United States--
       (1) to salute current and former AmeriCorps members and 
     AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for their positive impact on 
     generations of Americans;
       (2) to thank the grantees, State service commissions, and 
     community partners of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors for 
     making the programs possible; and
       (3) to encourage more people in the United States to become 
     involved in service and volunteering: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) encourages the people of the United States to join in a 
     national effort--
       (A) to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps 
     Seniors volunteers; and
       (B) to raise awareness about the importance of national and 
     community service;
       (2) acknowledges the significant accomplishments of the 
     members, volunteers, alumni, and community partners of 
     AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors;
       (3) recognizes the important contributions made by 
     AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps Seniors 
     volunteers to the lives of the people of the United States; 
     and
       (4) encourages individuals of all ages to consider 
     opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors.

                          ____________________