Announced earlier this month, the President’s plan would enhance the accountability and effectiveness of AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps. It would also create a new Citizen Corps for homeland defense.

     “Across the country, volunteers are working behind the scenes to address needs in their communities through a broad range of organizations reflecting the diversity of our civil society, including private charities, faith-based organizations, community organizations, and federal service programs,” Hoekstra said.

     “I am confident that we can put together a bipartisan reauthorization bill that will build on this spirit and help to sustain it in the future,” he added.

     The President’s citizen service proposal would establish performance measures to ensure that programs like AmeriCorps are meeting their goals, and would terminate or reduce funding if reforms aren’t enacted. The plan would also make federal volunteer programs more flexible and responsive to state and local needs.

     “Over the next few weeks,” Hoekstra continued, “we will be working with the Administration to update the law to reform and enhance the service programs under the Corporation for National and Community Service.”

     Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) called the President’s proposal “extraordinarily exciting.”

     Two other Members, Reps. Tom Osborne (R-NE) and Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN), testified on the Call to Service Act, a bill (H.R. 3465) they cosponsored with many similarities to President Bush’s plan.

     “We hope to work closely with Representatives Ford and Osborne” in the process to reauthorize federal volunteer programs, Hoekstra said.

     As the former coach of Nebraska University’s football team, Osborne said he “saw thousands of young people who did not know what they wanted to be or do, but who knew they wanted to do something to help.”

     “In the weeks following September 11,” Osborne continued, “AmeriCorps experienced a 30 percent increase in interest profiles submitted by individuals who are considering joining. The interest is there, now. We must follow through with the leadership and programs to capture this moment and translate it into actions that will better all of our communities and strengthen our national fabric.”

     The federal government can play a “meaningful role in promoting service without bloating the bureaucracy,” Ford said. It can facilitate service “through a framework of efficiency and accountability.”

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