Duckworth: Whether Defending Our Nation Or Revitalizing Its Communities, All Americans Deserve An Opportunity To Serve

Press Release

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08), a wounded Iraq War Veteran and champion of civilian national service, today at a panel discussion in her district announced a bold new plan to provide all young Americans an opportunity to serve their country through volunteer community service programs like City Year and AmeriCorps. Congresswoman Duckworth's 21st Century American Service Act builds on the bipartisan work of late Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) as well as former Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton to establish a uniquely American, universal but 100 percent voluntary civilian national service program empowering young people to serve their communities while also earning college tuition assistance.

"I know from personal experience that engaging with your community and serving a cause greater than yourself can help foster a sense of shared sacrifice that--at a time when our politics seem more focused on tearing us apart than bringing us together--could help us rekindle the national unity that helped us become strongest country in the world," said Congresswoman Duckworth, who recently authored an op-ed on the value of serving one's nation that appeared in the Huffington Post. "Whether defending our nation or rebuilding its communities, we should do everything we can to honor and support all those who are willing to serve, but instead we're turning them away in droves. My 21st Century American Service Act will finally let us put this groundswell of untapped energy to work revitalizing our country."

While most Americans know they can serve their country in the military, far fewer are aware of the multitude of civilian programs that provide service opportunities including rebuilding run-down school buildings, improving neighborhoods, beautifying cities, educating our children and many other unfilled--but valuable--roles. Additionally, because AmeriCorps-partnered programs like City Year, Habitat for Humanity and Teach for America are not adequately resourced or funded, the selfless individuals who do seek to volunteer their time are often turned away. Some civilian national service programs only accept service-minded applicants at rates comparable to some Ivy League universities.

"Citizens who are committed to serving others can be a powerful force for good in our communities and affect real change in American lives," said Congresswoman Duckworth. "But those impacts will never be realized if community service organizations throughout our country are so starved of resources that they have to turn away most of their applicants. National Service should not be reserved for the privileged few, but rather a unifying force that brings together Americans from all walks of life to serve their country. Imagine what our nation could look like if all Americans who want to donate their time and skills to beautify cities, improve run-down school buildings, educate our children and fill countless other unfilled roles had the opportunity to do so. Let's give them that chance by passing my 21st Century American Service Act."

The 21st Century American Service Act, which Congresswoman Duckworth will introduce when Congress reconvenes in April, would address both of these problems by expanding service positions available through civilian national service organizations and ensuring that all young Americans are informed of the opportunities available to them. By reducing barriers to entry, better informing citizens and increasing the number of positions available to applicants, Congresswoman Duckworth's legislation would ensure that national service is an equal opportunity endeavor, open to all young people interested in giving back to American communities and neighborhoods. The legislation improves existing institutions and infrastructure to dramatically enhance and expand national service opportunities throughout the country. Participants that complete a year of service would earn an educational award to help pay college tuition or pay down student debt. By guaranteeing that all young Americans have an equal opportunity to decide for themselves whether they wish to engage in national service, Duckworth's legislation would promote civic engagement, enhance national unity and help foster a sense of shared sacrifice through service.

In Congress and in her personal time, Duckworth is a champion for civilian national service and an avid volunteer. She spent her MLK Day of Service volunteering to improve public school with City Year Chicago and then hosted an Air Force Veteran and current AmeriCorps member who has spent her career serving others as her guest for President Obama's final State of the Union Address. On New Year's Eve, the Congresswoman donated her time in Schaumburg to help feed starving children abroad. In advance of Thanksgiving, the Congresswoman also helped distribute turkey dinners to less fortunate families at Schaumburg's Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry. The food pantry is managed by LaVerne Horgan, a long-time church volunteer that Congresswoman Duckworth hosted as her guest for His Holiness Pope Francis' historic Joint Address to Congress.

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