[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13595-13596]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND DESIGNATING 
               MAY 16, 2014 AS ``NATIONAL NONPROFIT DAY''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2013

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution recognizing the importance of nonprofit organizations and 
designating May 16, 2014 as ``National Nonprofit Day.'' I would also 
like to take this opportunity to thank my friend and colleague, 
Congressman Tom Rooney for introducing this resolution with me.
  Nonprofit organizations have made many important contributions to our 
nation. Over the past decade, the number of nonprofits has risen 
steadily, and there are approximately 2.3 million of them now operating 
in the United States. Whether these groups are working to improve 
education or to protect environmental resources, they all have the same 
goals: to enact meaningful change in our world and to improve human 
lives.
  Many nonprofits support science and research that will have a 
significant impact on future generations. For instance, there are 
nonprofit organizations that support research to fight diseases such as 
Cancer and HIV/AIDS. Many other organizations advocate for vulnerable 
populations across the globe--for refugees, for the homeless, and for 
our nation's veterans. They educate and teach, as well as engage with 
local communities to improve the quality of life for all.
  In addition to being a force for change and progress, the nonprofit 
sector is vital to the economic security of the United States. In fact, 
the growth rate of the nonprofit sector has surpassed the rate of both 
the business and government sector. In 2010, nonprofits added nearly 
$780 billion to our national GDP and employed 1 in 10 working 
Americans. Nonprofit organizations also facilitate charitable giving 
and community activism, and the combined donations and volunteer hours 
of individuals to nonprofits are worth billions of dollars annually.
  But perhaps most importantly, nonprofit organizations are founded and 
managed by people trying to make the world a better place. Whether they 
are abroad or at home, the work that these men and women do is 
incredibly meaningful. Without the people behind these organizations--
working tirelessly to change the world, sometimes just one life at a 
time--

[[Page 13596]]

the nonprofit sector would not be the force for good that it has become 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, nonprofit organizations advocate for solutions to some 
of the great challenges facing our nation and the world, and they 
deserve to be recognized for their valuable contributions to society. 
No matter their focus, nonprofits play a pivotal role in shaping the 
future of America. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and 
to join me in designating May 16, 2014 as ``National Nonprofit Day.''

                          ____________________