[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6393-6395]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1240) supporting the goals and ideals of Global 
Youth Service Day, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1240

       Whereas Global Youth Service Day is an annual campaign that 
     celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth 
     who improve their communities each day of the year through 
     community service and service-learning;
       Whereas Global Youth Service Day will be celebrated from 
     April 23, 2010, to April 25, 2010;
       Whereas the goals of Global Youth Service Day are to 
     mobilize and support young people to identify and address the 
     needs of their communities, schools, and organizations, to 
     provide opportunities for youth engagement, and the public, 
     the media, and policymakers to recognize and raise awareness 
     of young people as assets and resources;
       Whereas Global Youth Service Day, a program of Youth 
     Service America, is the largest service event in the world, 
     the only day of service dedicated to youth engagement, and in 
     2010 is being observed for the 22nd consecutive year in the 
     United States and for the 11th year globally in more than 100 
     countries;
       Whereas Global Youth Service Day engages millions of young 
     people worldwide with the support of more than 200 National 
     and International Partners, 85 State and local Lead Agencies, 
     and thousands of local partners;
       Whereas high quality community service and service-learning 
     programs increase young people's academic engagement and 
     achievement, workforce readiness, 21st century skills, and 
     civic knowledge and engagement;
       Whereas community service and service-learning provide 
     opportunities for young people to apply their knowledge, 
     idealism, energy, creativity, and unique perspectives to 
     improve their communities by addressing a myriad of critical 
     issues, such as health, childhood obesity, education, 
     illiteracy, poverty, hunger, environment, climate change, 
     violence, and natural disasters;
       Whereas Global Youth Service Day is an opportunity for 
     citizen diplomacy, as evidenced by the growing number of 
     projects that involve youth working collaboratively across 
     borders to address global issues, increasing intercultural 
     understanding, and promoting the sense that they are global 
     citizens;
       Whereas thousands of participants in schools and community-
     based organizations are planning Global Youth Service Day 
     activities as part of a Semester of Service in which young 
     people spend the semester addressing a community need 
     connected to learning goals or academic standards over the 
     course of at least 70 hours;
       Whereas Global Youth Service Day provides an opportunity 
     for young children, teenagers, and young adults, to gain 
     experience as active citizens and community leaders, and 
     assist schools, community organizations, faith-based 
     organizations, government agencies, businesses, and families; 
     and
       Whereas the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act recognizes 
     Global Youth Service Day as a national day of service and 
     calls on the President to encourage people of the United 
     States to observe the day with appropriate youth-led 
     community improvement and service-learning activities: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes and commends the significant contributions 
     of youth of the United States and encourages the cultivation 
     of a civic bond between young people dedicated to serving 
     their neighbors, their communities, and the Nation;
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service 
     Day; and
       (3) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     Global Youth Service Day by--
       (A) encouraging youth to participate in community service 
     and service-learning projects and joining their peers in such 
     projects;
       (B) recognizing the volunteer efforts of the young people 
     of the United States throughout the year; and
       (C) supporting the volunteer efforts of young people and 
     engaging them in meaningful community service, service-
     learning, and decision-making opportunities as an investment 
     in the future of the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Woolsey) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
1240 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1240, a 
resolution to support the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day. 
Global Youth Service Day is an annual worldwide event that highlights 
and celebrates the ongoing contributions of youth to their communities 
through volunteer service and service learning.
  Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world, 
and over the past 21 years it has brought together more than 40 million 
people in thousands of communities worldwide. This past weekend it was 
observed for the 22nd consecutive year in the United States, and for 
its 11th year globally, in more than 100 countries.
  Mr. Speaker, service learning extends the classroom into the 
community, providing young people with the opportunity to give back 
locally. It is also an academic tool that builds real-life applications 
into student curriculum,

[[Page 6394]]

keeping students engaged in their education. High quality service 
learning that is integrated with academic curriculum increases 
students' cognitive engagement, motivation to learn, school attendance, 
and academic achievement. Global Youth Service Day takes that one step 
further by promoting projects that encourage youth to work 
collaboratively across national borders to address global issues, to 
increase intercultural understanding, and to promote the sense that we 
are all global citizens.
  There are countless benefits associated with volunteerism and 
service. Evidence shows that there exists a conclusive correlation 
between youth service, character development, lifelong adult 
volunteering, philanthropy, and other forms of civic engagement.
  Opportunities like Global Youth Service Day provide avenues for youth 
to apply their knowledge, idealism, energy, creativity, and unique 
perspectives to improve local communities by addressing critical issues 
such as poverty, hunger, illiteracy, education, natural disasters, 
climate change, and so very much more, Mr. Speaker.
  As part of Global Youth Service Day here in the District of Columbia, 
Greater D.C. Cares organized 7,000 volunteers as part of its annual 
Servathon to restore national monuments, landscape parks and 
playgrounds, prepare and distribute food, and paint murals on schools 
in 100 locations within the metro area.
  In Detroit, Michigan, more than 125 students from an inner city 
Detroit school educated their classmates and families about having a 
healthy diet and nutrition and incorporating exercise in their daily 
lives. In Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Speaker, the local YMCA coordinated 
with over 100 community partners and 1,000 young people in feeding the 
homeless, in yard work for the elderly, community gardening with the 
Atlanta Community Food Bank, among many other things.
  Both young people and their communities will benefit greatly from 
expanded opportunities like these which allow youth to engage in 
volunteer community service and service learning worldwide.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves to recognize and commend the 
significant contributions of youth of the United States and to support 
the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day 2010.
  I thank Representative Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut for introducing 
this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1240, 
supporting the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day. Global 
Youth Service Day supports and encourages community service and service 
learning throughout these United States, and enables millions of 
students to make contributions to their communities. America's young 
people, from kindergartners to college students, have the desire, 
energy, and ability to make a real difference in their communities. 
Global Youth Service Day is an opportunity for them to convert their 
ideas and energy into action.
  Through community service and service learning, we can inspire, 
empower, and celebrate young people who recognize the need to do 
something for their communities, believe in their ability to get it 
done, and then take action. Service learning engages students in the 
educational process, using what they learn in the classroom to solve 
real-life problems. Service learning and community service enables 
students to not only learn about democracy and citizenship, but to 
become actively contributing citizens and community members through the 
service that they perform.
  There are a growing number of opportunities for youth to get involved 
in service activities through schools, service clubs, religious 
affiliations, family, or neighborhood-based volunteering. The challenge 
is to maintain youth interest and commitment to community service by 
showing them the benefits to the community that they are serving and to 
themselves. I stand before you today to commend the significant 
contributions our youth are making in our Nation's communities.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the author of H. Res. 1240.
  Ms. DeLAURO. I rise in support of this resolution honoring and 
supporting the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day, which took 
place this past weekend. I want to commend my colleague, Representative 
Ehlers, for taking the lead in cosponsoring this important resolution.
  Global Youth Service Day is a public awareness and education campaign 
led by Youth Service America with the National Youth Leadership Council 
and the Global Youth Action Network. It emphasizes the importance of 
public service. It highlights the valuable contributions that young 
people make to their communities all year long.
  In the words of Gandhi, ``The best way to find yourself is to lose 
yourself in the service of others.'' That is the simple truth that 
animates Global Youth Service Day. By mobilizing young people around 
the world to identify and address the needs of their neighbors, by 
supporting their community service, and by civic engagement efforts, we 
not only help our communities to thrive, we help the next generation 
find themselves through service and commitment to a greater good.
  This past weekend, young people all around the world designed and 
carried out community service projects in areas ranging from literacy 
and mentoring, to the environment and energy conservation, to hunger 
and homelessness. This year saw 2,631 projects in 87 countries and all 
50 States.
  We often say that service is its own reward, but it actually has the 
benefit of being true. In addition to the positive results these 
projects have on our communities, research shows that young people who 
participate in community service also enjoy increased civic engagement 
and they do better in school. By recognizing the interdependence of 
their community, they become more independent, more grounded, more 
cognizant of the world around them. They become better citizens.
  The cycle of service and citizenship is why we passed the Edward M. 
Kennedy Serve America Act 1 year ago last week, to offer young people 
more opportunities to serve their nation. It is why we continue to 
encourage our young men and women to become deeply involved in the 
life, health, and education of our communities through such programs as 
AmeriCorps, Teach for America, and Summer of Service. It is why we 
honor the passion and the sacrifice of those young Americans who choose 
to make a difference in distant lands, such as members of the Peace 
Corps and our Armed Forces.
  All of us in this room today know firsthand the value of public 
service. Global Youth Service Day helps to transmit that priceless 
value to the next generation. All around the world it encourages boys 
and girls to get involved, to give of themselves, to use their 
enthusiasm, their energy, and their passion to help our communities.
  I urge my colleagues to honor these values of civic and community 
service, and to support this resolution.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
lead coauthor of this legislation, our respected colleague from the 
State of Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).
  Mr. EHLERS. I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for yielding.
  I am a great believer in volunteer efforts, and I believe that is 
what makes our Nation tick. And I think it is especially appropriate to 
educate children and young adults at a very early age to become 
involved in volunteer work.
  Global Youth Service Day is a major means of implementing that, and 
bringing to children the awareness of and importance of volunteer work, 
and also developing ways to make volunteer work seem interesting and 
fun to the youth of our Nation.
  I do have to warn them, however, as I have learned myself, volunteer 
service can lead to the halls of Congress. I

[[Page 6395]]

would have never been elected to office, never even would have become 
politically active without my volunteer activities. But I soon learned 
when engaging in volunteer activities and helping people that much of 
the problems I was trying to solve should have been solved by the local 
elected officials. And with some friends we got together and got some 
very good people elected. Never did I suspect that I might myself 
someday be called upon to do the same thing and follow a path that led 
to Congress.
  The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act is a wonderful device to give 
recognition to the youth of this Nation, gives an opportunity for us to 
recognize the service that they have rendered, and also calls on the 
President of the United States to encourage people of the United States 
to observe this day and make it clear to young people what marvelous 
opportunities for volunteerism they have.

                              {time}  1400

  There are many different ways in which the youth can contribute to 
the functioning of the Nation, but two that come to mind as being 
especially useful are, one, helping the elderly who often have trouble 
adjusting to new homes or who simply don't know how to handle the 
electronics of the new abodes that they've moved into. Another method 
is working with the young people of this Nation, with the very young 
people--the children who are having trouble with how to read or who are 
having trouble learning math. This is a wonderful opportunity for 
younger people who have more experience with science and mathematics 
and who are able to communicate their love of science and mathematics 
to help the young people around them.
  So it is with pleasure that I rise. It is with great pleasure that I 
am a cosponsor of this resolution. I think it is an extremely important 
issue.
  I thank Ms. DeLauro and Ms. Woolsey for their working on this as 
well.
  This is a golden opportunity for all of us to express our gratitude 
to the young people of this world who continue to act as volunteers in 
so many different ways and in meaningful ways which will direct their 
careers as well as will help the Nation.
  Mr. PETRI. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, we celebrated 
Global Youth Service Day--an annual campaign which celebrates the 
millions of young people who improve their communities each day of the 
year through service and self-discovery.
  Established in 1988, GYSD is the largest service event in the world 
and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries.
  As part of this effort, I have the pleasure in recognizing two young 
people who are making a difference in Nebraska communities.
  Sydney Swanson, a senior at Alliance High School, organized the first 
``Coats for Kids'' drive in Alliance. This year, she expanded it to 
three additional cities, collecting a total of 875 coats for children 
in need. Sydney also created a website with instructions for teens to 
start ``Coats for Kids'' drives in their own communities.
  Jordyn Lechtenberg, a senior at Ainsworth High School, founded and 
directly recruited 20 other high school students for the Youth 
Community Development Force, a group interested in community and 
economic development. She also served as interim executive director of 
the North Central Development Center while the director was on 
maternity leave.
  Young people like Sydney and Jordyn are essential assets and 
resources not only for their communities, but for our entire country. 
They have set a high benchmark, and I challenge every American to 
follow their example.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to compliment 
Congresswoman DeLauro and Congressman Ehlers for their amazing efforts 
in this regard, and I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1240, a 
resolution to support the goals and ideals of Global Youth Service Day.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1240, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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