Recognizing the Significant Accomplishments of Americorps

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Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may require.

I rise today in full support of House Resolution 1338, which recognizes the substantial contributions of AmeriCorps. Since 1994, AmeriCorps programs have engaged over 570,000 individuals of all ages in national service programs, totaling 705 million hours of service to our Nation. AmeriCorps was launched following the establishment of the Corporation for National and Community Service under the National and Community Service Trust Act. The organization is composed of AmeriCorps State and national programs: the National Civilian Community Corps, or NCCC, and the Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA program. The initial class of 20,000 volunteers helped establish and grow this wonderful program of volunteer service. AmeriCorps now involves 75,000 individuals each year to improve the lives of the Nation's most vulnerable citizens, protect the environment, contribute to public safety, respond to disasters, and strengthen our educational system.

AmeriCorps participants have tackled many timely and important issues, including health care, gang violence, drug abuse, environmental cleanup, and homelessness. They have partnered with thousands of organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the Red Cross. AmeriCorps VISTA participants have been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America. VISTA's 6,500 participants provide assistance each year to low-income communities by helping businesses, expanding access to technology, recruiting literacy volunteers, strengthening antipoverty groups, and creating sustainable programs that help people rise out of poverty.

National Civilian Community Corps participants have led service projects in areas of critical national need, including disaster response, infrastructure improvement, environment and energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Corps volunteers have responded to every nationally declared disaster since 1994 as well as helped communities prepare for the next emergency.

Most importantly, AmeriCorps members continue to serve their community even after their terms of service. In fact, many former workers continue as volunteers, teachers, nonprofit professionals, and government employees.

Madam Speaker, for those struggling to make ends meet during this tough economy, volunteers in the national service are more important than ever. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act signed in 2009 by President Obama expands the AmeriCorps program to incorporate 250,000 volunteers each year, and the strength of our Nation depends on individuals who take action towards building better communities.

This week is AmeriCorps Week, when we recognize and thank the commitment of these volunteers so that future generations will continue to support the ideal of national service. It's important for us to highlight the important work done by the organization and to motivate others to become engaged and to volunteer, whether through AmeriCorps or other service opportunities throughout the country.

So I would ask that my colleagues join me in full support of House Resolution 1338 and to take a moment and appreciate the contributions by our many AmeriCorps participants. I want to thank Representative Matsui for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to pass it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I would just reiterate the points that have been made earlier but in a more brief fashion to say that I hope our colleagues will join in supporting this resolution and to say thank you to the many volunteers who are on the front lines helping us during times of crisis, whether it's economic, physical disaster or sociological change. We need their help, and we appreciate it. This is a resolution to do that. So I thank the sponsors. I thank the chairman of the Service Caucus and urge your support.

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