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[Page S5666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 326--RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICORPS
Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Jones, Mr. Markey, Ms.
Klobuchar, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Carper, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Casey, Mr.
Cardin, Mr. Wicker, Ms. Collins, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Van
Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Reed, Mr. King, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Booker, Ms.
Baldwin, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Tester, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Hassan,
Mr. Peters, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Harris, Ms. Hirono, and Ms.
Smith) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and
agreed to:
S. Res. 326
Whereas the spirit of service has defined the United States
and strengthened the bonds of community for nearly 250 years;
Whereas September 12, 2019, will mark the 25th anniversary
of the first class of AmeriCorps members, who pledged to
``get things done'';
Whereas, since 1994, more than 1,100,000 individuals of all
ages and backgrounds have joined AmeriCorps, serving more
than 1,500,000,000 hours and improving the lives of countless
people in the United States;
Whereas AmeriCorps members address the most pressing
challenges facing the United States by educating students for
jobs of the 21st century, expanding economic opportunity,
addressing the needs of military families and a generation of
veterans returning from war, helping communities rebuild
after natural disasters, supporting communities combatting
the opioid epidemic, and preserving the parks and public
lands of the United States;
Whereas approximately 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve each
year in more than 21,000 locations nationwide and, along with
more than 200,000 Senior Corps volunteers serving in more
than 23,000 locations, bolster the civic, neighborhood, and
faith-based organizations that are so vital to the well-being
of the United States;
Whereas AmeriCorps expands opportunities for AmeriCorps
members by providing experience, career skills, and support
for higher education, and, since 1994, AmeriCorps members
have earned more than $3,700,000,000 in Segal AmeriCorps
Education Awards to repay qualified student loans or pay for
other higher education expenses;
Whereas AmeriCorps is a model public-private partnership
that generates hundreds of millions of dollars of
nongovernmental resources each year to strengthen community
impact and increase return on taxpayer dollars;
Whereas AmeriCorps, working hand-in-hand with its network
of Governor-appointed State service commissions, has
developed an efficient and effective structure for engaging
individuals in results-driven service that is poised for
further growth and success in the future;
Whereas AmeriCorps was built upon decades-old legacies of
citizen service established by the Peace Corps, the Civilian
Conservation Corps, the Volunteers in Service to America
(VISTA) program, the Senior Companion Program, the Foster
Grandparent Program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer
Program (RSVP);
Whereas national service programs create understanding that
unites citizens and bridges gaps across races, generations,
social classes, and geographic boundaries;
Whereas national service brings tangible benefits to the
communities being served as well as to individuals providing
the service, including improved health, expanded economic
opportunity, and increased civic participation;
Whereas AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers
demonstrate commitment, dedication, and patriotism by making
an intensive commitment to service and, after their terms of
service, remain engaged in our communities as volunteers,
public servants, and civic leaders at disproportionately high
rates; and
Whereas the Corporation for National and Community Service
has led efforts to improve lives, strengthen communities, and
foster civic engagement through service and volunteering in
the United States for the last quarter century: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) acknowledges the significant impact and value of
AmeriCorps members, alumni, and community partners over the
past 25 years;
(2) recognizes the legacy of service of Senior Corps
volunteers and all of the national service members in the
United States; and
(3) encourages citizens of all ages to find ways to give
back to their communities and the United States through
AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs.
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