Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions - S 1274

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. BAYH, Ms. MIKULSKI, and Mr. ROCKEFELLER):

    S. 1274. A bill to reauthorize and reform the national laws; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

    Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I am grateful to join my colleagues, Senators EVAN BAYH, TED KENNEDY, and BARBARA MIKULSKI in reintroducing the Call to Service Act of 2003. This important legislation significantly expands opportunities for citizens to serve their country as community volunteers and in homeland security functions.

    This legislation expands legislation that I introduced with senator BAYH in 2001. A key component of the original McCain/Bayh proposal became law last year. To meet the changing personnel needs of today's military, the Defense Department will now have a new, shorter-term enlistment option. Individuals who volunteer to serve under this new program serve on active duty for 15 months after their initial military training and can complete the remainder of their obligation by choosing service on active duty, in the Selected Reserve or in the Individual Ready Reserve, which can be fulfilled by in a civilian national service program such as the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps). In return for service, the legislation provides loan up to $18,000, an educational allowance under the Montgomery GI Bill. I am encouraged by the excitement expressed by the Pentagon in meetings about the implementation of the program.

    Two months after our legislation was introduced, President Bush made service programs a centerpiece of his 2002 State of the Union address. Unfortunately, since the speech, there has not been much followthrough on the part of this Administration.

    From the time President Bush was the Governor of Texas, through his experience as President, he has proudly pointed out the successes of this program. Yet the Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill he sent to the Congress forced cuts in the program. Combined with a 50,000 cap placed on the number of AmeriCorps volunteers, AmeriCorps now faces a crisis.

    My office has been inundated by phone calls from nervous AmeriCorps volunteers in recent days. They are all expressing the same fear that they will not have the opportunity to continue their service to our communities. Idealistic young men and women in this country got excited when they heard the President promise increased opportunities to serve. It is now time for the Congress and the President to expand opportunities to serve.

    There is no shortage of causes that volunteers are eager to fix. We have failing schools, desperate for good teachers. Children in our poorest communities are growing up in need of mentors. Millions of elderly Americans desperately want to stay in their homes and out of nursing facilities, but cannot do so without help with the small tasks of daily life. More and more of our communities are being devastated by natural disasters. Many of the AmeriCorps volunteers work for chronically understaffed organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity and the Red Cross. I have to ask why would anyone think we should do anything except increase AmeriCorps to provide opportunities for as many people as possible to serve?

    Not only does the community as a whole suffer when AmeriCorps is cut, but those who are eager to serve are affected as well. Currently, over 490 individuals serve in Arizona. Many of Arizona's AmeriCorps volunteers take advantage of the educational opportunities that go along with their service. To date, over 2,100 Arizona residents have taken advantage of the $4,725 to help pay for college or pay back student loans. The fewer the number of slots available for AmeriCorps volunteers, the fewer the number of men and women who will be able to take advantage of this important opportunity.

    I am grateful Senators BOND and MIKULSKI are working to ensure that the OMB ruling on the use of the education trust fund is used. This will ensure that the cut in the number of volunteers is less than originally feared. However make no mistake, there will be far fewer volunteers in 2003.

    Our legislation seeks to increase the opportunity to serve in AmeriCorps. The Call to Service Act increases the number of people who volunteer for AmeriCorps by 25,000 per year until 175,000 people are serving in AmeriCorps each year for a five year period. This is a 125,000 increase in volunteers over the current 50,000 volunteers. Many of these new positions will be dedicated to homeland security. This legislation links AmeriCorps to Homeland Defense by directing the Corporation for National Service to work with the Department of Homeland Security to determine ways of promoting national security through service programs.

    This legislation also expands eligibility for willing and able seniors to volunteer in a variety of capacities through Senior Corps, including senior companion programs, tutoring, providing long-term care, and serving as foster grandparents.

    During my failed Presidential campaign in 2000, I had the opportunity to meet with students all across the country. I was deeply moved by the strong desire these young men and women expressed to serve their country. While I encourage military service to those I meet, I recognize this type of service is not for all. Our legislation increases the opportunities for these citizens.

    The response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 brought out the best in the citizens of the United States. Americans reached out to their friends, neighbors and those in their communities. Many examples of serving causes greater than their self interest abound. This dedication to volunteer service is still alive today. We cannot continue to wait to provide expanded opportunities for national service. Congress should no longer delay in taking action on legislation to provide opportunities for Americans to serve.