[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25065]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE POINTS OF LIGHT INSTITUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 2009

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
an important milestone in the history of an organization that has made 
a difference in the lives of many Americans and many communities across 
the nation--the Points of Light Institute.
  Twenty years ago, a newly-inaugurated President George H.W. Bush 
challenged us to ``bring in the generations, harnessing the unused 
talent of the elderly and the unfocused energy of the young . . . to 
spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good.'' It was this 
challenge that became the foundation of the Points of Light initiative. 
President Obama dramatically expanded this movement with his leadership 
of the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, legislation that 
I sponsored, which was signed into law earlier this year.
  The Points of Light Foundation recently merged with Hands On Network 
to form the Points of Light Institute. This organization has been 
transforming American lives and communities around the nation, offering 
tangible and meaningful ways for people to serve.
  In 2008, the Points of Light Institute and its 250 Hands On volunteer 
action centers engaged over 1.2 million volunteers in service and 
managed over 520,000 volunteer projects. The value of this service is 
over $600 million, a remarkable contribution to the health and welfare 
of American communities from Seattle to Miami.
  One of Points of Light's affiliates is the Long Island Volunteer 
Center headquartered in my Congressional District. Daily, this great 
local organization connects individuals and groups to help nonprofit 
organizations expand programs and services that improve the 
environment, mentor at-risk youth, assist the elderly, help hungry and 
homeless people, and enhance appreciation of cultural arts.
  Congratulations to Points of Light on this 20 year anniversary and 
for the many acts of service that have improved the lives of those in 
need in our midst. We all look forward to many more years of inspiring 
work.
  Madam Speaker, it is with pride and admiration I offer my thanks and 
recognition to Points of Light Institute.

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