DeLauro Volunteerism Proposal Included Legislative Package to Renew America’s Commitment to Service

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. -3) joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives in voting for a bill that will launch a new era of American service and volunteerism. The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act, H.R. 1388, which includes DeLauro's Summer of Service proposal, answers President Obama's call for Americans of all generations to help get the country through the economic crisis by serving and volunteering in their communities. The Senate is also considering similar legislation.

"For generations, during times of great crisis, Americans have stepped up and served their country and their communities. Today—with soaring unemployment, rising health care costs, and a financial system turned upside down— we face one of those moments," said DeLauro. "Today, the GIVE Act renews and enhances these opportunities by providing Americans of all ages—from Middle Schoolers to Baby Boomers— the chance to reach their full potential as engaged and active members of their community."

Notably, the legislation includes provisions from DeLauro's "Service for All Ages" initiative, including the Summer of Service proposal, as well as components of the ACTION Act and the Encore Service Act. With the Summer of Service, it offers new incentives for middle and high school students to volunteer in their communities; engaging students in service and to allow them to earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs. It also includes priority language for efforts to encourage middle school student participation (grades 6-9). By incorporating pieces of the ACTION Act, it increases the Education Award and ties it to Pell Grants to ensure that the scholarship increases with the rate of college tuition. And the GIVE ACT adds components of the ENCORE Service Act to make it easier for older Americans to give back as well and to share their experience and expertise.

On the importance of including provisions from the "Service for All Ages" initiative, DeLauro added, "Research shows that, among those students who participate in service-learning, teens from disadvantaged communities who serve, hold more positive civic attitudes. Students who engage in volunteering are more likely to be successful at school and avoid risky behaviors such as drugs, alcohol, and crime. Also by providing a long-awaited increase to the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, tying it to Pell Grants, we will ensure this scholarship stays in step rising tuition rates."

The GIVE Act would more than triple the number of volunteers, from the current 75,000 to 250,000, and increase the education reward they receive 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. It would 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. In addition, the legislation would:

Strengthen existing service programs and create new innovative programs to help improve student achievement and graduation in low-income schools, expand health care access, provide seniors with help living independently, enhance services for veterans, and help build a green, energy-efficient economy;

Establish a Veterans Corp to meet the unique needs of veterans and military families; Expand the focus of the National Civilian Community Corps to infrastructure improvement, environmental and energy conversation, and urban and rural development, in addition to disaster relief;

Create new opportunities for Baby Boomers and seniors to serve and volunteer;

Recruit scientists and engineers into service to keep America competitive; and

Build a nationwide community-based infrastructure to leverage investments in service.

For a more detailed fact sheet, click here.