Date: 2009-03-31
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I yield myself the remainder of my time. I want to again thank all of those who participated in the drafting. the support. the writing and the negotiations for this act. As my colleagues have said on both sides of the aisle. this is a very important piece of legislation. It is about American values. It is about the spirit of this country. It is about our communities. And it is going to provide. with the expansion that is provided for in this legislation and supported by this administration. it is going to provide a continuum of opportunities to volunteer. to participate in community activities. to support our communities and to help those in need in so many different situations. It is going to provide them that opportunity from middle school all the way to retirement and after retirement where we are encouraging the alumni. people who participated in AmeriCorps in the past and now have picked up a lifetime of skills. talents and experience that they can. once again. turn back into service for America. It is going to provide an opportunity for young people to not only help those in our communities but to be able to explore the career opportunities in clean energy. in green jobs. in health care. in teaching. in mentoring and social services and all of the various occupations that are available in our community where additional assistance and volunteerism has been a tradition but also needs to be expanded. So we think this is a very rich expansion of the American values. of the volunteer system in the country. It is as old as the country. and it is as new as the future. as occupations change and opportunities change within our economy. I want to thank Carolyn McCarthy for her leadership in offering this legislation and to all of those who have supported it. Finally. I just once again would like to say how proud I am that this legislation is named for EDWARD KENNEDY. Senator KENNEDY. not only Senator KENNEDY but a family name that screams out "service" across this country. across generations. for the benefit. so many times over and over again. of the citizens of America. Im very proud to have participated in the legislative shepherding of this legislation. And I hope that all of our colleagues will join us on both sides of the aisle in support of this legislation. MR GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor Cesar E. Chavez. I have the honor of representing the district where he was born and where he gave his final breath. I am proud to say I was influenced by the work of Cesar E. Chavez. a man who believed that one should not rest on his laurels. Cesar is best known for cofounding the United Farm Workers union. however. that recognition is just one part of what he accomplished in his lifetime. Cesar inspired a generation to believe in the impossible (iSi Se Puede!). to work toward justice and to never stop fighting for the voiceless. Cesar also influenced. and continues to influence. future generations. He challenged all of us to care. advocate and organize. It is fitting that today. on what would have been Cesars 82nd birthday. we passed and sent the GIVE Act to the President. a bill that encourages volunteering and investment in ones community and country. To pass the GIVE Act is to continue Cesars vision and inspiration of service to ones community. commitment to a better future for all and leaving this country better than how we inherited it. Mr. Speaker. I encourage my colleagues and constituefits to follow in the footsteps of Cesar E. Chavez and his commitment to service. helping others and selflessness in every day actions. iSi se puede!