Congresswoman Doris Matsui's Legislation Honoring AmeriCorps Volunteers Passes House of Representatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
CONTACT: Alexis Marks or Mara Lee
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Doris Matsui's Legislation Honoring AmeriCorps Volunteers Passes House of Representatives
Resolution Introduced By Rep. Matsui Passes By A 359-60 Vote
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Resolution introduced by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) honoring and celebrating the important work that AmeriCorps volunteers provide to the American people. The bill passed with a bi-partisan vote of 359-60, and commemorates the goals and ideals of AmeriCorps Week 2009.
Congresswoman Matsui celebrated AmeriCorps Week by presenting a framed copy of the resolution to Sacramento's own AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) volunteers at McClellan Park two weeks ago. Pictures from that event are attached, and Rep. Matsui's remarks as prepared for delivery on the House floor are provided below:
"I rise today in support of House Resolution 453, which recognizes the significant accomplishments of the AmeriCorps program, encourages all citizens to join in a national effort to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni, and helps raise awareness about the importance of national and community service to our country.
"AmeriCorps Week is celebrated each year to honor the important work that AmeriCorps volunteers provide to our communities. This year, we celebrated National AmeriCorps Week with a renewed sense of purpose after the passage of the Senator Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Already we have seen a rise in AmeriCorps applications, and a tremendous interest in national and community service as a direct result of that legislation.
"The Serve America Act restores the promise of our national service programs by expanding the AmeriCorps programs' volunteer capacity from 75,000 to 250,000 volunteers across the country, and reauthorizes the Corporation for National and Community Service for the first time in 15 years.
"In my hometown of Sacramento, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), volunteers provide immense benefits to our community and our region. Trained in CPR, first aid, disaster response and firefighting, NCCC teams have responded to every national disaster since the program was established.
"As a Co-Chair of the National Service Caucus, it is a pleasure to call attention to the tremendous work of those involved at every level and in every AmeriCorps program. As a result of the great work of these volunteers, extraordinary things are happening all around America. The service programs and new initiatives help address some of our nation's toughest problems, from poverty and unmet education needs, to natural disasters.
"I urge my colleagues to continue to support AmeriCorps volunteers and take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication to our country and to their communities."
Co-sponsors of Rep. Matsui's legislation includes: Howard Berman (CA-28), Marion Berry (AR-01), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Bruce Braley (IA-01), Lois Capps (CA-23), Dennis Cardoza (CA-18), John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Jim Costa (CA-20), Lloyd Doggett (TX-25), Vernon Ehlers (MI-03), Eni Faleomavaega, (AS-AL), Sam Farr (CA-17), Paul Hodes (NH-02), Mike Honda (CA-15), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Patrick Kennedy (RI-01), John Lewis (GA-05), David Loebsack (IA-02), Zoe Lofgren (CA-16), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Jim McDermott (WA-07), George Miller (CA-07), Jim Moran (VA-08), Christopher Murphy (CT-05), Grace Napolitano (CA-38), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Todd Platts (PA-19), Jared Polis (CO-02), David Price (NC-04), John Sarbanes (MD-03), Adam Schiff (CA-29), Louise Slaughter (NY-28), Mike Thompson (CA-01), Chris Van Hollen (MD-08), Henry Waxman (CA-30), and John Yarmuth (KY-03).