WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed a bill to dramatically expand national service opportunities and help Americans play a role in the economic recovery. The bill, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act, passed the House with a vote of 321 to 105.
This is the most significant expansion of national service since President John F. Kennedy issued a call to serve more than 50 years ago. Last month, President Obama called for Congress to take quick action on legislation to strengthen service
“Service is a fundamental American value. In times of crisis, Americans always show up to help,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, and a key cosponsor of the bill. “Today, the House voted to create a continuum of service for Americans of all ages and walks of life – from middle school through retirement – who can help transform our nation by making a difference in their communities. We look forward to working with the Senate and President Obama in the weeks ahead to make Americans a part of the solution to getting through this crisis and building a stronger future.”
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
“Last month, President Obama called on Congress to pass legislation that would inspire a new generation of service and volunteerism in our nation. In calling for a national service bill, President Obama has renewed the spirit of a practice in our country that is as old as the Union itself: the call to public service. The GIVE Act answers that call,” said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), sponsor of the bill. “Public service and volunteerism provide the means through which Americans can give back to their communities while gaining the tools they need to achieve their own goals. The GIVE Act will create a frame work to develop national service programs that will improve their communities and enrich the lives of all of those who answer the call to serve. The GIVE Act is a once-in-a-generation bill that will change the fabric of our nation for decades to come.”
The GIVE Act will more than triple the number of volunteers serving in this country, from the current 75,000 to 250,000. It will establish new service corps to help build a green and energy-efficient economy, enhance services for veterans when they return home, expand access to affordable health care, help increase student achievement, and more.
The bill will also increase the education reward these service participants receive in exchange for their contributions to $5,350 for next year, the same as the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award. The education award would also be linked to match future boosts in the Pell Grant scholarship in order to keep up with rising college costs.
The legislation will also provide new incentives for middle and high school students to volunteer in their communities. It would create a Summer of Service program to engage students in service and allows them to earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs.
In addition, the GIVE Act will create a new national Call to Service campaign to encourage all Americans to get involved in service and would encourage Americans to observe September 11th a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Investing in service can yield enormous returns. In 2008, more than 61 million Americans spent over eight billion hours volunteering – generating $158 billion worth of benefits. A cost-benefit analysis of AmeriCorps, for example, shows that every $1 invested produced returns of $1.50 to $3.90 in direct measurable benefits.
Earlier in the day, Chairman Miller hosted a press conference with U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), the sponsor of the legislation, House lawmakers and nearly a hundred local area volunteers whose organizations stand to benefit from the GIVE Act. To view footage from the event, click here.
For a summary of this legislation, click here.
For more information on the role service programs play in each state, click here.
“Service is a fundamental American value. In times of crisis, Americans always show up to help,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, and a key cosponsor of the bill. “Today, the House voted to create a continuum of service for Americans of all ages and walks of life – from middle school through retirement – who can help transform our nation by making a difference in their communities. We look forward to working with the Senate and President Obama in the weeks ahead to make Americans a part of the solution to getting through this crisis and building a stronger future.”
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
“Last month, President Obama called on Congress to pass legislation that would inspire a new generation of service and volunteerism in our nation. In calling for a national service bill, President Obama has renewed the spirit of a practice in our country that is as old as the Union itself: the call to public service. The GIVE Act answers that call,” said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), sponsor of the bill. “Public service and volunteerism provide the means through which Americans can give back to their communities while gaining the tools they need to achieve their own goals. The GIVE Act will create a frame work to develop national service programs that will improve their communities and enrich the lives of all of those who answer the call to serve. The GIVE Act is a once-in-a-generation bill that will change the fabric of our nation for decades to come.”
The GIVE Act will more than triple the number of volunteers serving in this country, from the current 75,000 to 250,000. It will establish new service corps to help build a green and energy-efficient economy, enhance services for veterans when they return home, expand access to affordable health care, help increase student achievement, and more.
The bill will also increase the education reward these service participants receive in exchange for their contributions to $5,350 for next year, the same as the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award. The education award would also be linked to match future boosts in the Pell Grant scholarship in order to keep up with rising college costs.
The legislation will also provide new incentives for middle and high school students to volunteer in their communities. It would create a Summer of Service program to engage students in service and allows them to earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs.
In addition, the GIVE Act will create a new national Call to Service campaign to encourage all Americans to get involved in service and would encourage Americans to observe September 11th a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Investing in service can yield enormous returns. In 2008, more than 61 million Americans spent over eight billion hours volunteering – generating $158 billion worth of benefits. A cost-benefit analysis of AmeriCorps, for example, shows that every $1 invested produced returns of $1.50 to $3.90 in direct measurable benefits.
Earlier in the day, Chairman Miller hosted a press conference with U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), the sponsor of the legislation, House lawmakers and nearly a hundred local area volunteers whose organizations stand to benefit from the GIVE Act. To view footage from the event, click here.
For a summary of this legislation, click here.
For more information on the role service programs play in each state, click here.
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