[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17415-17416]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        AMERICORPS NCCC WESTERN REGIONAL CAMPUS GRADUATION 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and 
acknowledge 440 amazing young men and women that exemplify hope, 
dedication, and patriotism. Today, Class XIV graduates from the Western 
Regional Campus of the AmeriCorps NCCC program in Sacramento, 
California.
  The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full time 
residential national service program conducting national service 
efforts across the country. This program is truly one of a kind and is 
an incredibly valuable asset to our nation. These volunteers support 
the foundation of our country's infrastructure: our educational system, 
homeland security defenses, and disaster recovery efforts. Their 
compassion and hope is essential to our civil society.
  In a year that saw devastating tornados, catastrophic floods, 
dangerous wildfires, and continued recovery efforts in the Gulf of 
Mexico, the Sacramento NCCC campus graduates contributed their hearts 
and hard work to helping their fellow citizens when those individuals 
needed it most.

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  NCCC participants learn invaluable life skills, but even more 
important, they learn the intangible value of service. How to pass that 
value along to others as engaging and organizing local volunteers is an 
essential part of the program's effectiveness.
  In the past ten months, the 440 inspiring men and women of the 
Western Regional Campus have completed more than 350,000 hours of 
service nationwide. They have shaped lives by spending 30,000 hours 
tutoring nearly 10,000 elementary school students. They have given hope 
to those who need it most by assisting more than 46,000 families in the 
Gulf Coast, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oregon, and by constructing 193 
new homes with Habitat for Humanity. They have been on the front lines 
of disaster relief by responding to 12 wildfires in California, 
Arizona, and New Mexico. But perhaps most important, they have taught 
others the tools and value of service, leveraging more than 63,000 
volunteers, nearly 150 for each program participant.
  Madam Speaker, these young men and women from all across the country 
are a shining example of the benefits of National Service. I ask that 
my colleagues join me in recognizing the 440 graduates of the 
Sacramento Western Regional NCCC Campus for their hard work and 
invaluable service to their country. Congratulations Class XIV!
  It is my sincere hope that our country's national service 
infrastructure will continue to grow and engage thousands more in the 
experience of serving their communities and serving their country.

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