Recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national service and the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1276) recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national service and the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1276 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1276, which recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service legislation, which is the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and the continued importance of volunteerism and national service to our country.

For many Americans, including my constituents in the Northern Mariana Islands, service is the most valuable way for them to contribute to their communities. The Serve America Act encourages all Americans--from at-risk youth in inner cities, to people in rural communities, to people in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, to seniors and veterans--to unite in service to their communities. This is the universal quality of service that Martin Luther King spoke about when he said, ``Everyone can be great because anyone can serve.''

The Serve America Act expands many of the current service programs, including AmeriCorps, which is on a path to increasing its volunteer force from 75,000 to 250,000 by 2014. These new initiatives will specifically focus on key areas that are the foundation of our Nation's growth and prosperity, such as education, health care, energy, and veterans.

Young adults who join AmeriCorps VISTA commit to serve full time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, and strengthen community groups. Programs like these are valuable teaching tools for students to apply real-world experiences to issues they may encounter in the classroom and to grow as individuals while giving back.

Most importantly, the act seeks to revitalize our Nation's commitment to, and engagement in, service, especially among our Nation's youth. I strongly believe that our people are our most important and best resource, and engaging them in service puts that resource to work for the good of the community as a whole. I have seen the benefits, in my home in the Northern Mariana Islands, to the recipient of service and the volunteer alike, and I know that it is a rewarding experience for both, one that strengthens the ties of our community.

This week also marks the 37th Annual National Volunteer Week. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week celebrates the spirit of service that has been so important to bringing Americans together, especially in times of economic hardship. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, 61.8 million Americans, or 26 percent of adults, took time to contribute some volunteer service in 2008. Those volunteers donated 8 billion hours, worth $162 billion.

Finally, I want to recognize the person for whom this Serve America Act is named, the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Senator Kennedy spent his life serving his country, never forgetting the words spoken by his brother President John F. Kennedy in 1961: ``Of those to whom much is given, much is required.'' I am proud that we can honor Senator Kennedy's memory by encouraging Americans to offer service to their fellow citizens.

Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for this resolution commemorating the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution celebrating its 1 year anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again I express my support for this resolution, and I encourage all my colleagues to join me in their support.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of H. Res. 1276, which commemorates the first anniversary of the Serve America Act. For the last year, the Serve America Act has been promoting service to help meet national challenges, expand opportunities to serve, and support social innovation. The Serve America Act is a historic milestone for national service, but signing the bill is just the beginning--we need every American to rise to this national call to service.

I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank him for sponsoring this legislation and taking the time to chronicle the crucial achievements of the Serve America Act.

Mr. Speaker, last year President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the most sweeping expansion and strengthening of national service in a generation. The strong bipartisan support for this legislation was a testament to the proven impact of national service and the widespread recognition that service is a solution to tough challenges. There is strong momentum for citizen service--volunteering increased last year to the highest level since 2003, AmeriCorps applications continue to increase on a yearly basis, and the service field is experiencing a wave of new innovation and collaboration. In California, last year 230,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds helped meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase

civic engagement through 366 projects state-wide. This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the organization implementing the Serve America Act, will commit over $75 million to support California communities through national service initiatives.

The Serve America Act has empowered individuals, nonprofits, state governments, and local communities to address our nation's most pressing challenges through service. The significant progress already made since the passing of this legislation, and the attitude of selflessness that it has promoted make it entirely fitting that we take this time to honor and commemorate the first anniversary of the Serve America Act. Thanks to the leadership of the President, the bipartisan support of Congress, new authorities under the Serve America Act, historic funding for programs, and a growing consensus that service is a solution, we stand at the dawn of a new era of service in America.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1276.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in favor of H. Res. 1276, commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

Since its enactment 1 year ago, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act has cemented the importance of volunteerism and community involvement in American society. This legislation reflects the willingness of Americans to dedicate their time and effort to help their neighborhoods through a common goal of community improvement.

The success of the Serve America Act is apparent not only in its progress so far, but in those results yet to come. The creation of 175,000 new volunteer opportunities, through existing service programs such as AmeriCorps, is increasing volunteerism in America to the highest level since 2003.

The Serve America Act has demonstrated that even in this period of economic uncertainty, investment in communities continues to reap the highest rewards. The Serve America Act has allowed Americans to play an active role in our economic recovery through their volunteerism by empowering individuals to initiate real and lasting development within their communities. And by rewarding those who volunteer their services even during their full-time education, this legislation has enabled countless diligent students to combine community activism with greater educational possibilities.

I am particularly proud that this legislation created the Musicians and Artists Corps that I championed to train and deploy skilled musicians and artists to low income communities, schools, health care and therapeutic settings, and other areas, where they promote music and arts engagement programs. As someone who knows firsthand the proven social benefits of music and creative arts programs, I believe this program will have tremendous rewards.

The Serve America Act has been a call to service to all Americans, and undoubtedly it has inspired American citizens from all walks of life to give back to their communities. The Musicians and Artists Corps allows musicians and artists who are eager to serve to contribute their special skills and diverse talents to this community of activism.

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act has contributed significantly to increasing service in our country, and I am proud to commemorate its passage and support its continuing good work.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1276, recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national service and commemorating the anniversary of the signing of this landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

Albert Einstein once said, ``A person starts to live when he can live outside himself.'' Regardless of one's age or background, education or interests, experience or abilities, every American should have the chance to serve because all have something to contribute to the greater good.

The Serve America Act increases opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve; supports innovation in the nonprofit sector; and ensures good management, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in organizations receiving tax dollars. The Serve America Act established a Summer of Service program to provide education awards for rising sixth through 12th graders, a Semester of Service program for high school students to engage in service learning, and Youth Empowerment Zones for secondary students and out-of-school youth. It authorizes Nonprofit Capacity Building grants to provide organizational development assistance to small and mid-size nonprofit organizations. In addition, it ensures that programs receiving assistance under national service laws are accountable by continuously evaluating them for effectiveness in achieving performance and cost goals.

Today we recognize the anniversary of the signing of this legislation and encourage Americans to continue to answer the call to serve. I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1276, which commemorates the anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and calls on the American people to consider volunteering in their communities. The Serve America Act, which was signed into law by President Obama on April 21, 2009, created additional service and volunteer opportunities for Americans by expanding and strengthening existing federal grants and programs that provide community service.

The Serve America Act provides 175,000 new service opportunities, which more than triples the number of nationwide volunteers involved in these programs. This legislation includes initiatives to increase energy conservation, improve the health status of economically disadvantaged individuals, and enhance economic opportunity for economically disadvantaged individuals. Additionally, the Serve America Act enhanced the existing learning programs of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, by providing year round opportunities to improve the education of children and youth. The volunteers involved in these programs should be applauded for working to address some of the grave problems that impact many of their fellow Americans.

My friend, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, came from a family with a long legacy of serving our country. Today, we take time to honor his memory, his outstanding commitment to the public service, and this final legislative triumph. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.