Spring 2009
First Lady Mari Culver’s Shelter Awareness Day
Service Spotlight- AmeriCorps VISTA Member Melissa Simmermaker
Governor Culver recognizes National Volunteer Week in Iowa
President Obama Signs Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
Legislature Acts to Expand Service and Honor AmeriCorps
President Obama Issues FY10 Budget Request for National Service
CNCS Launches National Listening Tour on Serve America Act
President Obama Signs Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
Bill dramatically expands national service to "connect deeds to needs"
On April 21, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which will dramatically expand national service opportunities to address America's most pressing challenges. The President signed the act at the SEED School, an academically intensive public boarding school for underserved urban youth in Washington, DC. Among those attending the event were First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Members of Congress, and nonprofit leaders and national service volunteers.
At the signing ceremony, the President drew significant attention to one of the bill's architects, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), highlighting the long-standing commitment by the senator and his family to service and the country. Stressing that the act works to "connect deeds to needs," President Obama urged all Americans to serve:
“All that’s required on your part is a willingness to make a difference. That is, after all, the beauty of service. Anyone can do it. You don’t need to be a community organizer, or a Senator – or a Kennedy – or even a President to bring change to people’s lives.”
He continued:
“We need your service, right now, at this moment in history. I’m not going to tell you what your role should be; that’s for you to discover. But I’m asking you to stand up and play your part. I’m asking you to help change history’s course. Put your shoulder up against the wheel. And if you do, I promise you – your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century.”
Click here to read President Obama's complete statement.
Click here to watch a video of the signing ceremony, including remarks from Senator Kennedy and President Obama.
The House gave final approval to the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act on March 31 by a bipartisan vote of 275-149. The bill passed the Senate 79-19, followed by a unanimous approval to rename the legislation after the bill's sponsor. While the bill authorizes a massive expansion of national service programs for Americans of all ages, implementation is tied to the availability of funds. The President is expected to release a detailed budget for Fiscal Year 2010 next month, and Congress will consider the President's request as they make discretionary spending decisions and consider the twelve annual appropriations bills. Governor Culver commented on the historic signing:
“For generations, Iowa's volunteers have embodied our strength and generosity of spirit. Most recently, during the floods of 2008, AmeriCorps members stood side by side with community leaders, citizens, and volunteers of all ages statewide, saving lives, providing comfort to those in need, and beginning the long process of rebuilding Iowa. The 'Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act' will help countless Iowans find new and innovative ways to serve in the years to come. I want to thank the Obama-Biden Administration and the Iowa Congressional delegation for their tireless efforts in support of national service in Iowa.”
More than 75 percent of all AmeriCorps funds are administered by Governor-appointed state Volunteer Service Commissions, and the Serve America Act will increase the number of AmeriCorps members nationally from 75,000 members to 250,000. Additionally, the 'Volunteer Generation Fund,' an amendment to the act authored by Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack, creates federal funding for the purposes of volunteer recruitment, training, and retention. The fund will support efforts to expand the volunteer infrastructure in Iowa through the likes of Community Volunteer Centers, RSVP’s, College Civic Engagement Offices all of which were vital in coordinating the more than 800,000 volunteer hours of service during the 2008 flood fight in Iowa.
*Material used courtesy of Voices for National Service