IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1044 
Expressing support for the designation of the year 2026 as the ‘‘National 
Year of the Volunteer’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 
Mr. LAWLER (for himself, Mr. MOSKOWITZ, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. 
ADERHOLT, Ms. SALAZAR, and Mr. EVANS of Pennsylvania) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Edu-
cation and Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of the year 2026 
as the ‘‘National Year of the Volunteer’’. 
Whereas volunteers play a critical role in our communities in 
public safety, health, education, and civic life; 
Whereas volunteerism unites people of all backgrounds in 
common purpose, bridging divides and strengthening the 
bonds of citizenship; 
Whereas volunteerism bolsters organizations that keep neigh-
borhoods safe, healthy, and connected; 
Whereas volunteers contribute billions of dollars’ worth of 
service annually, driving local economies and offsetting 
government costs; 
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•HRES 1044 IH 
Whereas volunteerism inspires younger generations to see 
service as a cornerstone of United States life and civic re-
sponsibility; 
Whereas, despite rising demand, critical civic organizations, 
such as volunteer fire and EMS departments, scout 
troops, youth sports, houses of worship, food banks, shel-
ters, mentoring programs, and nonprofit organizations, 
report struggling to recruit and retain volunteers; 
Whereas national volunteer rates have dropped significantly 
over the past decade, a trend accelerated by the COVID– 
19 pandemic; 
Whereas the year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the 
founding of the United States of America, a milestone 
that offers all United States citizens the opportunity to 
renew the spirit of service, unity, and shared purpose 
that has defined the Nation since its founding; 
Whereas Congress passed and the President signed into law 
the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 
2016 (Public Law 114–196), which created the United 
States Semiquincentennial Commission (the Commission) 
to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the com-
memoration of the history of the United States leading 
up to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the 
United States; 
Whereas the many programs planned by the Commission in-
clude America Gives, an initiative that challenged individ-
uals, businesses, nonprofits, schools, youth groups, faith- 
based networks, and organizations of all kinds to commit 
to increasing their level of volunteering and impact start-
ing this past year; 
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•HRES 1044 IH 
Whereas the Commission tracked the number of volunteer 
hours given by every United States citizen who partici-
pated in America Gives; and 
Whereas designating 2026 as the ‘‘National Year of the Vol-
unteer’’ would celebrate the enduring United States tra-
dition of neighbors helping neighbors and encourage a 
nationwide recommitment to community service: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the designation of the 
‘‘National Year of the Volunteer’’; 
(2) honors the millions of volunteers whose self-
less service strengthens communities across the 
United States; 
(3) encourages Federal, State, and local efforts 
to highlight volunteer opportunities and drive public 
awareness of the value of service; 
(4) encourages nonprofit organizations, schools, 
veterans’ groups, civic associations, and companies 
to partner and engage in volunteer opportunities 
across the United States; and 
(5) calls on all Americans to celebrate the 
250th anniversary of the United States, as the ‘‘Na-
tional Year of the Volunteer,’’ by participating in 
acts of service and community improvement. 
Æ 
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