Floor Statement on H.R. 1388 - The Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education (GIVE)Act

Mr. (Madam) Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education Act (the GIVE Act), which would strengthen and reauthorize the nation’s national and community service programs. After sixteen years, this reauthorization is long overdue. 

In 1973, Congress passed the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA) to foster and expand voluntary service in communities while helping vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, such as the elderly and poor.  DVSA authorized the National Senior Volunteer Corps, made up of the Foster Grandparents Program, the Senior Companion Program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). 

Seventeen years later, Congress passed the National and Community Service Act (NCSA) of 1990.  NCSA aims to address unmet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs, as well as to renew a sense of civic responsibility by encouraging citizens to participate in national service programs.  Authorized under NCSA are Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps State and National Grants, and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

Both DVSA and NCSA are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, and both laws were most recently amended in 1993 by the National and Community Service Act.  While authorization of appropriations for both laws expired at the end of fiscal year 2006, the programs have remained funded through annual appropriations measures. 

I am pleased to have worked with Representative McCarthy, Chairman Miller, and Ranking Member McKeon on crafting the GIVE Act, and believe that the bill makes common-sense improvements to our nation’s national service programs.   Not only does it provide increased flexibility for states, but it also increases accountability and efficiency within the administration of the programs, and reduces barriers for small and faith-based organizations to participate.

H.R. 1388 strengthens existing community and national service programs by providing year-round service opportunities for students and elderly alike, and further encourages volunteer involvement by disadvantaged youth.  This legislation also expands eligibility requirements for senior-serving programs like Foster Grandparents and the Senior Companion Program, ensuring that individuals with an interest in serving have options available to them.  Finally, I am pleased that the legislation reorganizes AmeriCorps activities into several different Corps focusing on national areas of need, such education, healthcare, clean energy, and veterans. 

In recent years, natural disasters such as hurricanes down south, as well as the wildfires in California, have showcased the important efforts of AmeriCorps and NCCC volunteers.  I am proud to be part of this effort to strengthen national service programs and ensure that participants can continue to aid disadvantaged and needy populations. 

Mr. (Madam) Speaker, I hope you will join with me in supporting the GIVE Act.  With that I yield back.