[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 230 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 230
Recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and
AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to the lives of the people of the United
States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 14, 2023
Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Graves of
Louisiana, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms.
Norton, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Cicilline, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Panetta, Mr.
Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Kim of New Jersey, and Ms. Houlahan)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and
AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to the lives of the people of the United
States.
Whereas, since their inceptions, each of the AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors
national service programs have proven to be a highly effective way--
(1) to bring people of all backgrounds throughout the United States
together in common cause to meet the most pressing challenges of
communities in the United States; and
(2) to promote the ethics of service and volunteerism;
Whereas, each year, more than 200,000 individuals serve in AmeriCorps and
AmeriCorps Seniors at nearly 40,000 locations across the United States
to give back in an intensive way to communities, States, Tribal nations,
and the United States;
Whereas AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors funds have been invested in nonprofit,
community, educational, and faith-based groups, and those funds leverage
hundreds of millions of dollars in outside funding and in-kind support
each year;
Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers have provided
millions of hours of service nationwide, helping--
(1) to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people of the United
States;
(2) to protect the environment and restore public lands;
(3) to contribute to public safety;
(4) to respond to natural disasters;
(5) to address food insecurity and public health;
(6) to strengthen the educational system of the United States; and
(7) to expand economic opportunity;
Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers recruit and manage
millions of community volunteers, demonstrating the value of AmeriCorps
as a powerful force for encouraging people to become involved in
volunteering and community service;
Whereas, for more than 5 decades, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the RSVP,
Foster Grandparent, and Senior Companion programs have played an
important role in strengthening communities by sharing their experience,
knowledge, and accomplishments with the individuals they serve;
Whereas, since 1994, more than 1,250,000 AmeriCorps members have taken the
AmeriCorps pledge to ``get things done for America'' through the
AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC
programs;
Whereas AmeriCorps members nationwide, in return for the service of those
members, have earned more than $4,400,000,000 to use to further their
own educational advancement at colleges and universities across the
United States and to pay back student loans;
Whereas AmeriCorps is a proven pathway to employment, providing members with
valuable career skills, experience, and contacts to prepare them for the
21st century workforce and to help close the skills gap in the United
States;
Whereas, in 2009, Congress passed the bipartisan Serve America Act (Public Law
111-13; 123 Stat. 1460), which authorized the expansion of national
service, expanded opportunities to serve, increased efficiency and
accountability, and strengthened the capacity of organizations and
communities to solve problems;
Whereas national service programs have engaged millions of people in the United
States in results-driven service in the most vulnerable communities of
the United States, providing hope and help to individuals with economic
and social needs;
Whereas national service and volunteerism demonstrate the best of the spirit of
the United States, with people turning toward problems and working
together to find community solutions; and
Whereas AmeriCorps Week, observed in 2023 from March 12 through March 18, is an
appropriate time for the people of the United States--
(1) to salute current and former AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps
Seniors volunteers for their positive impact on generations of Americans;
(2) to thank the grantees, State service commissions, and community
partners of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors for making the programs
possible; and
(3) to encourage more people in the United States to become involved in
service and volunteering: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) encourages the people of the United States to join in a
national effort--
(A) to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni and
AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers; and
(B) to raise awareness about the importance of
national and community service;
(2) acknowledges the significant accomplishments of the
members, volunteers, alumni, and community partners of
AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors;
(3) recognizes the important contributions made by
AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers
to the lives of the people of the United States; and
(4) encourages individuals of all ages to consider
opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors.
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