Monday, May 14, 2007
As Co-Chair of the National Service Congressional Caucus, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) commended the great work of past and present AmeriCorps participants during floor consideration of H.Res. 385, a resolution recognizing the first-ever National AmeriCorps Week (May 13-20).
“Volunteerism and national service are key to meeting the needs of our communities – whether it is helping a child with homework after school, planting a tree, or cleaning up in the aftermath of a national disaster like September 11th or Hurricane Katrina,” stated Congresswoman Matsui. “With the passage of H.Res.385, each and every one of us has the opportunity to commend the great work of AmeriCorps participants.”
Congresswoman Matsui is Caucus Co-Chair along with Congressmen Chris Shays (CT-04), David Price (NC-04), and Todd Platts (PA-19). The National Service Congressional Caucus is committed to moving national service forward as part of the nation’s domestic agenda by broadening and deepening existing bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for programs such as AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and the Senior Corps. Through these service initiatives, citizens of all ages work to improve their communities and country. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, 72 percent of AmeriCorps members continue to volunteer in their communities after their term of service ends, and 87 percent of former AmeriCorps members accept public service employment.
Below are Congresswoman Matsui’s remarks (as prepared for delivery):
“Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Kentucky, Mr. Yarmuth, for yielding me time and request unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks.
I also want to thank Chairwoman McCarthy and Ranking Member Platts for their leadership in the Committee and for their tireless efforts to reauthorize and strengthen this program.
I am proud to be a part of those standing up in support of the first-ever AmeriCorps Week. I believe strongly that the AmeriCorps program embodies the spirit of the American people, and it is important for Members of Congress to acknowledge the work accomplished by AmeriCorps members.
As a Co-Chair of the National Service Caucus, it is a pleasure to highlight and honor the tremendous work of those involved at every level and in every program of AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service. Since AmeriCorps was established in 1994, AmeriCorps members have performed over 630 million hours of service addressing critical needs in education, housing, public safety, disaster response and recovery, and environmental preservation.
The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps has a campus in my congressional district in Sacramento. I have had the opportunity to see first-hand how the experience positively influences the communities served by the team members, and also enriches the lives of the participants. Nearly everywhere I go in Sacramento, someone stops me and tells me about how amazing and committed the NCCC members are to their mission.
Most recently, I have heard from AmeriCorps members about their experiences in the Gulf Coast recovery efforts. These participants all remarked how they are not just rebuilding communities—they are quite literally rebuilding people’s lives.
It is because of all of the great work of AmeriCorps members that extraordinary things are happening all around America. Just last week I learned that the Child Abuse Prevention Council—an important program in my district—will receive support from AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps members will serve as home visitors, resource aides, and community coordinators.
There is nothing more important than our children, and I appreciate that the Corporation for National and Community Service is providing the program with 96 AmeriCorps members to help them carry out their mission.
I know that we will be hearing more of the great work of AmeriCorps as the 110th Congress proceeds and we consider reauthorization and funding. AmeriCorps members are a vital part of our communities: with very little funding, they leverage millions of dollars and perform crucial work, whether in a classroom, in a National Park or rebuilding houses along the Gulf Coast. I truly hope that my colleagues will continue to support AmeriCorps programs. The spirit of service that is so important to our communities is one that should be encouraged.
Madam Speaker, I want to extend my greatest appreciation to those who have served and continue to serve in AmeriCorps programs throughout the country. I reserve the balance of my time.”
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