Generations Invigorating Volunteerism And Education Act

Floor Speech

* Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, as a member of the National Service Caucus, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigoration, and Education or GIVE Act.

* President and First Lady Obama have encouraged a renewed spirit of service and active citizenship in America. The GIVE Act answers that call to service by reauthorizing and expanding the National and Community Service Act of 1990.

* H.R. 1388 will increase national service opportunities for many more of our citizens. This bill expands AmeriCorps, an existing and outstanding service-learning program with a proven track record of integrating academic study with community service. It also creates four new service corps in the areas of clean energy, education, health care, and veteran service and adds new programs to enable middle and high-school youth and retirees to serve their communities. Finally, this bill expands the National Civilian Community Corps to include disaster relief and energy conservation and provides funds to help non-profits recruit new volunteers.

* The GIVE Act more than triples the number of federal volunteers serving in our communities so that an estimated 250,000 Americans will be able to participate in a year of service by 2014. These extra volunteers will help their neighbors endure these tough economic times by improving education, providing food and other services to the disadvantaged, and rebuilding towns and cities after disasters. This bill will also strengthen the economy because every dollar invested in service produces up to $3.90 in direct, measurable benefits.

* Volunteerism is growing in America. From 2002 to 2007, one million more citizens across the country started dedicating their time to worthy causes. Twenty-seven percent of all Americans are now volunteering. My state of Minnesota has a proud tradition of civic engagement. In a study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Minneapolis-St. Paul was ranked number one for volunteer rates in a large city.

* American men and women who choose to better their communities and themselves by responding to the nation's critical education, safety, homeland security, and health needs exemplify the values of America. I want to thank every American volunteer and urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Source