Dodd, DeLauro Join President Obama for National Service Bill Signing

Washington, DC – Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. -3) joined President Barack Obama at today's signing ceremony for the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which will launch a new era of American service and volunteerism. This legislation, which includes several key provisions from Dodd's and DeLauro's Service for All Ages Initiative, answers President Obama's call for Americans of all generations to respond to our nation's greatest needs by dedicating their time and efforts to improving their communities.

"I am honored to join President Obama and my good friend, Ted Kennedy, as this historic bill is signed into law. This bill not only honors Senator Kennedy's service to our country, but it provides a unique opportunity for Americans to renew their commitment to the communities in which they live," said Dodd. "By signing this bill into law, President Obama is calling upon our collective imaginations and energy to help our nation, our neighbors, and our families through these difficult times."

"For generations, during times of great crisis, Americans have stepped up and served their country and their communities. And today I was proud to watch as President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which will create new opportunities for millions of Americans to volunteer," said DeLauro. "Today, we not only honor the dedicated service of my friend Ted Kennedy, but we also renew and expand the possibility for more people to serve 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 several provisions from Dodd's and DeLauro's "Service for All Ages" initiative, which includes the Summer of Service Act, the Semester of Service Act, the ACTION Act and the Encore Service Act. The Summer of Service program allows middle and high school students to earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs, while the Semester of Service is an opportunity for high school students to receive academic credit for completing service-learning projects that help address pressing problems in the communities in which they live.

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act also incorporates the Dodd-DeLauro ACTION Act, which was the first bill introduced in the Senate to raise the Segal AmeriCorps education award and ensure that the award reflects the rising cost of college tuition, thereby giving all AmeriCorps members the ability to afford a higher education. In addition, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will more than triple the number of AmeriCorps members from the current 75,000 to 250,000 and increase the Segal AmeriCorps education award to $5,350 for next year, the same as the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award.

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act also includes many provisions from the ENCORE Service Act, which significantly expands opportunities for older Americans to share their experience, wisdom, and expertise with their communities. These programs will allow the Baby Boomer generation to become involved more than ever before in service and volunteerism, and it will also allow many older Americans (55 and older) who serve to be eligible for an education award that could be transferred to a child or grandchild. In addition, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will also create a new national Call to Service campaign to encourage all Americans to get involved in service and will encourage Americans to observe September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

A more comprehensive summary of the bill is below:

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

Creates New Service Corps to Meet Key Needs in Low-Income Communities

Establishes four new service corps to address key needs in low income communities, including a Clean Energy Corps to encourage energy efficiency and conservation, an Education Corps to help increase student engagement, achievement and graduation, a Healthy Futures Corps to improve health care access, and a Veterans Service Corps to enhance services for veterans.

Provides Incentives for Middle and High School Students to Engage in Service

Establishes the Summer of Service program that engages middle and high school students in volunteer activities in their communities and allows them to earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs. Students will be eligible to participate in two terms of service and earn up to a total of $1,000.

Makes High School Students Part of Solution to Challenges in their Communities

Establishes Youth Engagement Zones, a new service-learning program to engage low-income high school students and out-of-school youth in volunteer efforts that address challenges in their local communities. The program will encourage partnerships between community-based organizations and schools in high-need communities and apply real world activities to teach students about a certain topic. For example, volunteering in a homeless shelter could supplement a class about poverty.

Expands Service Opportunities for Older Americans and Public-Private Partnerships

Creates two new fellowships to engage social entrepreneurs, boomers and retirees, the private sector and Americans from all generations into service. Older Americans will be allowed to transfer their awards to a child, foster child or grandchild to help them pay for college. ServeAmerica Fellowships: ServeAmerica Fellows are individuals who propose their own plans for serving in their communities to address national needs and are matched up with a service sponsor. Silver Scholarships and Encore Fellowships: These programs offer Americans, age 55 or older, post-career service opportunities as well as entrance into new careers in the public or nonprofit sector. Silver Scholars will be able to earn up to $1,000 in exchange for 350 hours of service.

Creates a nationwide community-based infrastructure to leverage investments in service

Builds a nationwide service infrastructure through community-building investments, social entrepreneurship, and programs to support and generate new volunteers. Community Solutions Fund: Creates a Community Solutions Fund pilot program that awards competitive matching grants to social entrepreneur venture funds in order to provide community organizations with the resources to replicate or expand proven solutions to community challenges, including a new focus on leveraging public private partnerships in small communities and rural areas. (Examples of service organizations that were launched by social entrepreneurs include Teach for America, City Year, Citizen Schools, Jump Start, Working Today, an organization that provides affordable, portable health benefits to 100,000 Americans, and the SEED school, the nation's first public urban boarding school.) Volunteer Generation Fund: Provides grants to improve the quality and capacity of organizations to work with volunteers, and to create innovations in volunteerism in the areas of recruitment, training and management.

Encourages Highly Skilled Professionals to Help Improve Global Health

Expands the Volunteers for Prosperity program which encourages highly skilled professionals to serve internationally in targeted areas of need such as global health.

Establishes Call to Service Campaigns

Includes a Call to Service Campaign to launch a national campaign encouraging all Americans to engage in service and to observe September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance

Recognizes and Supports Colleges and Universities Engaged in Service

Establishes the Campuses of Service to support and recognize institutions of higher education with exemplary service-learning programs and assists students in the pursuit of public service careers.