[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6012-6013]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERISM

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1276) recognizing the continued importance of 
volunteerism and national service and the anniversary of the signing of 
the landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America 
Act.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1276

       Whereas April 21, 2010, marks the first anniversary of the 
     signing of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act;
       Whereas the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act 
     reauthorized the Corporation for National and Community 
     Service and its programs through 2014, expanding 
     opportunities for millions of people in the United States to 
     serve the Nation;
       Whereas the country is experiencing a wave of new 
     innovation and collaboration to increase volunteerism; as 
     social entrepreneurs try new approaches, technology increases 
     access and expands service, and corporate volunteers provide 
     pro bono skills to nonprofit organizations;
       Whereas the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act increases 
     volunteer opportunities for people in the United States of 
     all ages, with a focus on disadvantaged youth, seniors, and 
     veterans;
       Whereas the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act promotes 
     social innovation by supporting and expanding proven programs 
     and builds capacity of individuals, nonprofits, and 
     communities to volunteer; and
       Whereas the legislation leverages service to assist in 
     meeting challenges in the areas of education, health, clean 
     energy, veterans, and economic opportunity: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes that service is of significant value to the 
     United States; and
       (2) recognizes the first anniversary of the Edward M. 
     Kennedy Serve America Act, and encourages every citizen of 
     the United States to continue to answer the call to serve.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the 
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentlewoman from Illinois 
(Mrs. Biggert) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous 
material on House Resolution 1276 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SABLAN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1276, which 
recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service 
legislation, which is the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and the 
continued importance of volunteerism and national service to our 
country.
  For many Americans, including my constituents in the Northern Mariana 
Islands, service is the most valuable way for them to contribute to 
their communities. The Serve America Act encourages all Americans--from 
at-risk youth in inner cities, to people in rural communities, to 
people in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, to seniors and veterans--to 
unite in service to their communities. This is the universal quality of 
service that Martin Luther King spoke about when he said, ``Everyone 
can be great because anyone can serve.''
  The Serve America Act expands many of the current service programs, 
including AmeriCorps, which is on a path to increasing its volunteer 
force from 75,000 to 250,000 by 2014. These new initiatives will 
specifically focus on key areas that are the foundation of our Nation's 
growth and prosperity, such as education, health care, energy, and 
veterans.

                              {time}  1500

  Young adults who join AmeriCorps VISTA commit to serve full time for 
a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working 
to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, and 
strengthen community groups. Programs like these are valuable teaching 
tools for students to apply real-world experiences to issues they may 
encounter in the classroom and to grow as individuals while giving 
back.
  Most importantly, the act seeks to revitalize our Nation's commitment 
to, and engagement in, service, especially among our Nation's youth. I 
strongly believe that our people are our most important and best 
resource, and engaging them in service puts that resource to work for 
the good of the community as a whole. I have seen the benefits, in my 
home in the Northern Mariana Islands, to the recipient of service and 
the volunteer alike, and I know that it is a rewarding experience for 
both, one that strengthens the ties of our community.
  This week also marks the 37th Annual National Volunteer Week. 
Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week celebrates the spirit of 
service that has been so important to bringing Americans together, 
especially in times of economic hardship. According to the Corporation 
for National and Community Service, 61.8 million Americans, or 26 
percent of adults, took time to contribute some volunteer service in 
2008. Those volunteers donated 8 billion hours, worth $162 billion.
  Finally, I want to recognize the person for whom this Serve America 
Act is named, the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Senator Kennedy spent 
his life serving his country, never forgetting the words spoken by his 
brother President John F. Kennedy in 1961: ``Of those to whom much is 
given, much is required.'' I am proud that we can honor Senator 
Kennedy's memory by encouraging Americans to offer service to their 
fellow citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for this resolution 
commemorating the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in support of this resolution celebrating its 1 
year anniversary.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1276, 
recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national 
service and commemorating the anniversary of the signing of this 
landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
  Albert Einstein once said, ``A person starts to live when he can live 
outside himself.'' Regardless of one's age or background, education or 
interests, experience or abilities, every American should have the 
chance to serve because all have something to contribute to the greater 
good.
  The Serve America Act increases opportunities for Americans of all 
ages to serve; supports innovation in the nonprofit sector; and ensures 
good management, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in 
organizations receiving tax dollars. The Serve America Act established 
a Summer of Service program to provide education awards for rising 
sixth through 12th graders, a Semester of Service program for high 
school students to engage in service learning, and Youth Empowerment 
Zones for secondary students and out-of-school youth. It authorizes 
Nonprofit Capacity Building grants to provide organizational 
development assistance to small and mid-size nonprofit organizations. 
In addition, it ensures that programs receiving assistance under 
national service laws are accountable by continuously evaluating them 
for effectiveness in achieving performance and cost goals.
  Today we recognize the anniversary of the signing of this legislation 
and encourage Americans to continue to answer the call to serve. I 
support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, again I express my support for this 
resolution, and I encourage all my colleagues to join me in their 
support.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1276, which 
commemorates the anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy

[[Page 6013]]

Serve America Act and calls on the American people to consider 
volunteering in their communities. The Serve America Act, which was 
signed into law by President Obama on April 21, 2009, created 
additional service and volunteer opportunities for Americans by 
expanding and strengthening existing federal grants and programs that 
provide community service.
  The Serve America Act provides 175,000 new service opportunities, 
which more than triples the number of nationwide volunteers involved in 
these programs. This legislation includes initiatives to increase 
energy conservation, improve the health status of economically 
disadvantaged individuals, and enhance economic opportunity for 
economically disadvantaged individuals. Additionally, the Serve America 
Act enhanced the existing learning programs of the National and 
Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 
1973, by providing year round opportunities to improve the education of 
children and youth. The volunteers involved in these programs should be 
applauded for working to address some of the grave problems that impact 
many of their fellow Americans.
  My friend, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, came from a family with a long 
legacy of serving our country. Today, we take time to honor his memory, 
his outstanding commitment to the public service, and this final 
legislative triumph. I encourage my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of H. Res. 
1276, which commemorates the first anniversary of the Serve America 
Act. For the last year, the Serve America Act has been promoting 
service to help meet national challenges, expand opportunities to 
serve, and support social innovation. The Serve America Act is a 
historic milestone for national service, but signing the bill is just 
the beginning--we need every American to rise to this national call to 
service.
  I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership in bringing this bill to 
the floor. I also thank him for sponsoring this legislation and taking 
the time to chronicle the crucial achievements of the Serve America 
Act.
  Mr. Speaker, last year President Obama signed into law the Edward M. 
Kennedy Serve America Act, the most sweeping expansion and 
strengthening of national service in a generation. The strong 
bipartisan support for this legislation was a testament to the proven 
impact of national service and the widespread recognition that service 
is a solution to tough challenges. There is strong momentum for citizen 
service--volunteering increased last year to the highest level since 
2003, AmeriCorps applications continue to increase on a yearly basis, 
and the service field is experiencing a wave of new innovation and 
collaboration. In California, last year 230,000 individuals of all ages 
and backgrounds helped meet local needs, strengthen communities, and 
increase civic engagement through 366 projects state-wide. This year, 
the Corporation for National and Community Service, the organization 
implementing the Serve America Act, will commit over $75 million to 
support California communities through national service initiatives.
  The Serve America Act has empowered individuals, nonprofits, state 
governments, and local communities to address our nation's most 
pressing challenges through service. The significant progress already 
made since the passing of this legislation, and the attitude of 
selflessness that it has promoted make it entirely fitting that we take 
this time to honor and commemorate the first anniversary of the Serve 
America Act. Thanks to the leadership of the President, the bipartisan 
support of Congress, new authorities under the Serve America Act, 
historic funding for programs, and a growing consensus that service is 
a solution, we stand at the dawn of a new era of service in America.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
1276.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in favor of H. Res. 1276, 
commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service 
legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
  Since its enactment 1 year ago, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America 
Act has cemented the importance of volunteerism and community 
involvement in American society. This legislation reflects the 
willingness of Americans to dedicate their time and effort to help 
their neighborhoods through a common goal of community improvement.
  The success of the Serve America Act is apparent not only in its 
progress so far, but in those results yet to come. The creation of 
175,000 new volunteer opportunities, through existing service programs 
such as AmeriCorps, is increasing volunteerism in America to the 
highest level since 2003.
  The Serve America Act has demonstrated that even in this period of 
economic uncertainty, investment in communities continues to reap the 
highest rewards. The Serve America Act has allowed Americans to play an 
active role in our economic recovery through their volunteerism by 
empowering individuals to initiate real and lasting development within 
their communities. And by rewarding those who volunteer their services 
even during their full-time education, this legislation has enabled 
countless diligent students to combine community activism with greater 
educational possibilities.
  I am particularly proud that this legislation created the Musicians 
and Artists Corps that I championed to train and deploy skilled 
musicians and artists to low income communities, schools, health care 
and therapeutic settings, and other areas, where they promote music and 
arts engagement programs. As someone who knows firsthand the proven 
social benefits of music and creative arts programs, I believe this 
program will have tremendous rewards.
  The Serve America Act has been a call to service to all Americans, 
and undoubtedly it has inspired American citizens from all walks of 
life to give back to their communities. The Musicians and Artists Corps 
allows musicians and artists who are eager to serve to contribute their 
special skills and diverse talents to this community of activism.
  The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act has contributed significantly 
to increasing service in our country, and I am proud to commemorate its 
passage and support its continuing good work.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1276.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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