Washington, D.C. – Senator Barbara A. Mikulski visited AmeriCorps volunteers at the Goodnow PAL Center in Baltimore today to commend them for their work and tell them what she’s doing to save AmeriCorps jobs. Senator Mikulski is fighting in the Senate to prevent the cut of 20,000 new AmeriCorps Volunteers this year. This includes 100 people – nine at the Goodnow PAL Center – who volunteer through Civic Works in Baltimore.

“AmeriCorps volunteers help local communities meet local needs. I’m so proud of the volunteers at the Goodnow PAL Center. They make a real difference in the community, teaching math and reading to over 200 Baltimore children. That’s why I’m fighting to save 20,000 volunteers at AmeriCorps.”

Earlier this month, Senator Mikulski succeeded in passing legislation to prevent the cut of 20,000 AmeriCorps volunteer slots this year. (To see video of this floor speech, visit http://mikulski.senate.gov/audio.html.). Senator Mikulski’s amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Bill would give AmeriCorps an additional $100 million to ensure a full enrollment of 50,000 new volunteers this year – the level authorized by the U.S. Congress.

Because of overenrollment of volunteers and financial mismanagement, the Corporation for National and Community Service is unable to fund the 50,000 volunteer slots intended by Congress this year. Senators Mikulski and Kit Bond (R-MO) introduced and passed the “Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act of 2003” in June as a first step to solve this problem. This legislation gives AmeriCorps program flexibility that will enable them to hire 30,000 volunteers in 2003.

Senator Mikulski wrote to President Bush in June requesting supplemental funding for AmeriCorps. She also asked the President to appoint a new CEO for the Corporation for National Service “with the management skills necessary to restore confidence in the Corporation’s abilities to make a real difference to our volunteers – and in our communities.”

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