Congresswoman Dina Titus, joined by Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller on the right, Congressman Paul Tonko of New York, and dozens of volunteers, urges support for the GIVE Act and a new era of national service

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District joined lawmakers and approximately 50 volunteers today at a press conference on the steps of the Capitol to urge the passage of the GIVE Act, legislation that will launch a new era of national service.  Titus and Congressman Tom Perriello of Virginia have offered an amendment to the act to create a National Service Reserve Corps that will be debated on the House floor today.  Titus was joined by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, Congressman Tom Perriello, Congressman Paul Tonko, and Captain Scott Quilty, program manager of Survivor Corps.

Below are Titus’ remarks as delivered.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.  I am humbled to stand before you today with the people who have given so much – Captain, Tom, all these fabulous volunteers – and that is why I am so proud to serve on this committee with Chairman Miller and be a strong supporter of this bill.

“In recent years, we have watched with heartbreak as natural disasters have destroyed homes, left people jobless, homeless, and helpless.  But every time, there is a ray of hope and we get our spirits lifted as the volunteers turn out.  They give; they serve; they donate; they are always there.  They don’t ask what party you belong to, they just ask: ‘Do you need a hand?’  And that’s what we do need and that’s what they provide.

“The country is really hard hit, especially Nevada.  We have the highest foreclosure rate and high unemployment.  We need all the help we can get.  By passing this bill we are saying to the volunteers: ‘We respect your work, we value your work, we want to reward your work, and we thank you.’  But we also want to expand the program so we can bring other volunteers into the fold and make this truly an effort where everyone can give to the best of their abilities and we can all benefit nationwide.  Thank you so much.”

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Tags: GIVE Act