March 13, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement criticizing House Republicans for defeating the GIVE Act, HR 5563, legislation that promotes volunteerism and reauthorizes national service programs.
“What demonstrates true American values more than volunteering? What better way to give back to our country and community than engage in service work? When our cities and our towns are in crisis, how do we rebuild them and get our neighbors back on their feet? With volunteers-people giving their time, their care, their resources to make our neighborhoods and our nation a better place. I am truly confounded as to why my colleagues would divide on partisan lines and defeat a bill that strengthens and provides for our national service organizations.
“This bill was approved unanimously by the Education and Labor Committee
44 to 0. It authorizes extremely successful and effective organizations such as AmeriCorps, VISTA, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Foster Grandparent Program, and Senior Companion Program. It also creates a new service-learning program called Summer of Service, which engages youth in service through summer volunteer opportunities.
“What do my Republican colleagues have against volunteerism?”
Posted at 11:27 am on 03/30/08
Posted by Kelli Johnson
We need a federal program to accomplish these goals. Clinton said “build the American community” and “reward individual responsibility”
Posted at 11:31 am on 08/28/08
Posted by William Hamilton, Charleston, SC
I was in the YCC as a teenager. I worked all summer for a pittance and had a great time living in a tent. Some of the projects we worked on are still in use on the National Forrest today. Young people are eager to get out and try things which help others. They just want to be able to afford it. Feed them, give them a place to live and some interesting social opportunities and they’ll be happy to work for peanuts for a year or two. When, other than when you are young, can you do that?
Reagan largely killed off the YCC program.
Everyone I know that has ever been in the peace corps, Americorps or any of these programs remembers that time in their life very fondly. My neice was one of the teachers in that national program and had a memoriable year.
In the end the Republicans really only care about themselves. They like a society which grinds up people wholesale. They’re social Darwinists prepared to write off anyone who doesn’t make it. Even if you are in their club, if you can’t make it, they’ll have a simple justification for writing you off.
I know Republicans losing their homes, struggling without health care and having other problems. The moment they start to go under, they’re a leper and nobody wants to remember them.
Posted at 12:45 pm on 08/28/08
Posted by William Hamilton, Charleston, SC
Americorps has been one of the most effective disaster response resources. They were able to tarp roofs for a franction of what contractors working for Fema could do. They were faster and got there sooner as well.