Recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to the lives of the people of the United States.

Recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to the lives of the people of the United States. Whereas, since their inceptions, each of the AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors national service programs have proven to be a highly effective way (1) to bring people of all backgrounds throughout the United States together in common cause to meet the most pressing challenges of communities in the United States; and (2) to promote the ethics of service and volunteerism; Whereas, each year, more than 200,000 individuals serve in AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors at nearly 40,000 locations across the United States to give back in an impactful way to communities, States, Tribal nations, and the United States; Whereas AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors funds have been invested in nonprofit, community, educational, and faith-based groups, and those funds leverage hundreds of millions of dollars in outside funding and in-kind support each year; Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers have provided millions of hours of service nationwide, helping (1) to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people of the United States; (2) to protect the environment and restore public lands; (3) to contribute to public safety; (4) to respond to natural disasters; (5) to address food insecurity and public health; (6) to strengthen the educational system of the United States; and (7) to expand economic opportunity; Whereas AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers recruit and manage millions of community volunteers, demonstrating the value of AmeriCorps as a powerful force for encouraging people to become involved in volunteering and community service; Whereas, for more than 5 decades, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the RSVP, Foster Grandparent, and Senior Companion programs have played an important role in strengthening communities by sharing their experience, knowledge, and accomplishments with the individuals they serve; Whereas, since 1994, more than 1,250,000 AmeriCorps members have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to get things done for America Whereas AmeriCorps members nationwide, in return for the service of those members, have earned more than $4,400,000,000 to use to further their own educational advancement at colleges and universities across the United States and to pay back student loans; Whereas AmeriCorps is a proven pathway to employment, providing members with valuable career skills, experience, and contacts to prepare them for the 21st century workforce and support economic competitiveness in the United States; Whereas, in 2009, Congress passed the bipartisan Serve America Act ( Public Law 11113 Whereas national service programs have engaged millions of people in the United States in results-driven service in the most vulnerable communities of the United States, providing hope and help to individuals with economic and social needs; Whereas national service and volunteerism demonstrate the best of the spirit of the United States, with people solving problems by working together to find community solutions; and Whereas AmeriCorps Week, observed in 2023 from March 12 through March 18, is an appropriate time for the people of the United States (1) to salute current and former AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for their positive impact on generations of Americans; (2) to thank the grantees, State service commissions, and community partners of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors for making the programs possible; and (3) to encourage more people in the United States to become involved in service and volunteering: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) encourages the people of the United States to join in a national effort (A) to salute AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers; and (B) to raise awareness about the importance of national and community service; (2) acknowledges the significant accomplishments of the members, volunteers, alumni, and community partners of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors; (3) recognizes the important contributions made by AmeriCorps members and alumni and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to the lives of the people of the United States; and (4) encourages individuals of all ages to consider opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors.

Summary: This resolution encourages (1) the people of the United States to join in a national effort to salute AmeriCorps members, alumni, and Americorps Seniors volunteers and to raise awareness about the importance of national and community service; and (2) all individuals to consider opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps and Americorps Seniors.