Duckworth Hosts Community Service Event, Highlights Other Local Service Opportunities In Hanover Park

Press Release

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08), a wounded Iraq War Veteran with a long record of serving both her country and community, today hosted a panel discussion highlighting the value and importance of volunteer service as well as informing Eighth District residents of the opportunities to serve in their own communities. The Congresswoman and her panelists--which included national, state and local community service leaders and advocates--discussed the impact service-minded individuals can have on their communities, addressed challenges to enhancing and expanding service programs and answered questions from Eighth District residents about the service opportunities open to them.

"Every day, countless Americans wake up and get to work serving their nation--not only in uniform but also in volunteer civilian service programs in their communities," said Congresswoman Duckworth, who recently authored an op-ed on the value of serving one's nation that appeared in the Huffington Post. "And whether defending our nation in the Armed Forces or working to rebuild our neighborhoods in civilian service programs, they each make an important contribution to this country and deserve both our respect and support."

While most Americans know they can serve their country in the military, far fewer are aware of the multitude of civilian programs that provide service opportunities like rebuilding and revamping run-down school buildings, improving neighborhoods, beautifying cities, educating our children and many other unfilled--but valuable--roles. And--because AmeriCorps-partnered programs like City Year, Habitat for Humanity and Teach for America are not adequately resourced or funded--the selfless individuals who do seek to volunteer their time are often unable to do so. Some civilian national service programs only accept service-minded applicants at rates comparable to certain Ivy League universities.

"I know from personal experience that engaging with your community and serving a cause greater than yourself can help foster a sense of shared sacrifice that--at a time when our politics seem more focused on tearing us apart than bringing us together--could help us rekindle the national unity that helped us become the strongest country in the world," the Congresswoman continued. "But too many selfless Americans are either turned away or simply aren't aware of the service opportunities available to them in their own communities. We have to do a better job of supporting those who want to serve their neighbors and their nation by ensuring they are given the chance to do so."

During the panel discussion, Congresswoman Duckworth also outlined her bold new proposal to solve these problems and provide all young Americans an opportunity to serve their nation through civilian national service programs like City Year and AmeriCorps. The Congresswoman's 21st Century American Service Act, which she will introduce when Congress reconvenes in April, builds on the bipartisan work of late Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) as well as former Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton to establish a uniquely American, universal but 100 percent voluntary civilian national service program empowering young people to serve their communities while also earning college tuition assistance.

"Citizens who are committed to serving others can be a powerful force for good in our communities and affect real change in American lives," said Congresswoman Duckworth. "But those impacts will never be realized if community service organizations throughout our country are so starved of resources that they have to turn away most of their applicants. National service should not be reserved for the privileged few, but rather a unifying force that brings together Americans from all walks of life to serve their country. Imagine what our nation could look like if all Americans who want to donate their time and skills to beautify cities, improve run-down school buildings, educate our children and fill countless other unfilled roles had the opportunity to do so. Let's finally put this groundswell of untapped energy to work revitalizing our country by passing my 21st Century American Service Act."

By reducing barriers to entry, better informing citizens and increasing the number of positions available to applicants, Congresswoman Duckworth's new legislation would ensure that national service is an equal opportunity endeavor, open to all young people interested in giving back to American communities and neighborhoods. The 21st Century American Service Act improves existing institutions and infrastructure to dramatically enhance and expand national service opportunities throughout the country. Participants that complete a year of service would earn an educational award to help pay college tuition or pay down student debt. By guaranteeing that all young Americans have an equal opportunity to decide for themselves whether they wish to engage in national service, Duckworth's legislation would promote civic engagement, enhance national unity and help foster a sense of shared sacrifice through service.

In addition to hearing from Hanover Park Village President Rodney Craig and Village Clerk Eira Corral, the audience at today's event hosted by Congresswoman Duckworth heard from panelists including:

Meghan Hines, Program Officer at the Corporation for National & Community Service
Scott McFarland, Executive Director of the Illinois Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service
Dominique Battle, Managing Director of Human Potential and Operations at City Year Chicago
Shefali Trivedi, Executive Director of Giving DuPage
Monique Ellington, Chicago Director of the Service Year Alliance
Julia McLendon, Chief Executive Director of YWCA Elgin

In Congress and in her personal time, Duckworth is a champion for civilian national service and an avid volunteer. She spent her MLK Day of Service volunteering to improve public school with City Year Chicago and then hosted an Air Force Veteran and current AmeriCorps member who has spent her career serving others as her guest for President Obama's final State of the Union Address. On New Year's Eve, the Congresswoman donated her time in Schaumburg to help feed starving children abroad. In advance of Thanksgiving, the Congresswoman also helped distribute turkey dinners to less fortunate families at Schaumburg's Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry. The food pantry is managed by LaVerne Horgan, a long-time church volunteer that Congresswoman Duckworth hosted as her guest for His Holiness Pope Francis' historic Joint Address to Congress.

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