We want to be able to support the schools in this manner. It's a critical piece of the big picture that will support classroom teachers and the youngsters. The proposed legislation would amend the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, to create this new volunteer service program. It will be voluntary because the schools will choose to apply for the grant. Honda, who served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador from 1965 to 1967, emphasized the importance of giving back to one's community.
Recent immigrants come and they volunteer to help each other.
It's not a new concept, but we want to tap into that strength and that existing spirit. Leon Beauchman, vice president of the Santa Clara County Board of Education, also served in the Peace Corps from 1977 to 1978 in Guana, West Africa, and shares Honda's commitment to volunteerism. It gave me a real perspective of how other people live. This new program is needed -overdue. To encourage participation in NET Corps, the federal government will offer a 20 percent tax credit to private corporations that lend their employees to the program.