SERVE AMERICA ACT PASSES IN U.S. SENATE
MARCH 26, 2009
Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Serve America Act by an overwhelming majority - supporting the largest expansion of national service since passage of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the New Deal.
The bill, which passed 79-19, will now go to the House of Representatives for reconciliation with the GIVE Act, the companion bill in the House. President Obama, whose bold plan for national service is incorporated into this landmark legislation, has signaled his desire to sign the legislation as soon as next week.
Immediately upon final passage, the Senate, at the request of Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who co-authored this historic legislation with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), re-named the bill The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, in honor of Senator Kennedy's remarkable commitment to service. What a wonderful tribute to a man whose public service is such a deep source of inspiration to so many!
All of us at City Year are deeply grateful to Senator Kennedy and Senator Hatch, and Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), for their tremendous leadership in shepherding the bill to today's successful passage.
The legislation will tap into the energy and idealism of American citizens to address our nation's most critical needs. Building on the success of AmeriCorps, the Act will triple the number of national service opportunities to 250,000, launch a social innovation fund to scale effective programs and engage hundreds of thousands of Americans in new service and volunteer opportunities. The legislation provides America with a 21st century platform for service that taps into the nation's most powerful and renewable resource - the idealism, commitment and energy of its citizens.
We are extremely grateful to the senators who voted in favor of this timely and ambitious legislation. We are grateful for the tremendous out-pouring of bi-partisan support from thousands of people and institutions - governors, mayors, CEOs, non-profits and citizens across the country who registered their strong support for the Serve America Act.
We are also deeply grateful to three national coalitions, which we are honored to be a part of, that worked tirelessly in support of this historic legislation, Voices for National Service, ServiceNation and America Forward.
City Year was founded on the belief that young people can change the world. This historic legislation will make it possible for thousands of young Americans - and indeed Americans of all ages - to put their idealism to work to strengthen our nation, meet pressing national problems, and build a stronger, more committed democracy.
Yours in Service,
Michael Brown
CEO and Co-Founder
City Year, Inc.