WHEREAS, the AmeriCorps Program was established by former President Bill Clinton, when the National and Community Service Act of 1993 was signed into law, creating both the AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service;

WHEREAS, the CNMI AmeriCorps is federally funded through a grant written by PSS, and received from the Corporation for National and Community Service;

WHEREAS, the CNMI AmeriCorps program recruits part time members from public and private schools who, under the guidance of Site Supervisors within CNMI PSS, serve in the 1st-8th grade in all public schools throughout Rota, Tinian, and Saipan and provide tutoring and service learning activities for the community;

WHEREAS, the goals of the AmeriCorps are (1) Getting Things Done; (2) Strengthening Communities; (3) Encouraging Responsibility; and (4) Expanding Opportunities;

WHEREAS, members of CNMI AmeriCorps are a part of the Corporation for National and Community Service and are paid a monthly stipend and upon successful completion of 900 hours of service within a year they also quality for an Education Award of $2,362.50, which can be used to attend qualified institutions of higher education, training, or to repay qualified student loans;

WHEREAS, the CNMI should be proud of present and past outstanding members of AmeriCorps who have contributed immensely to the value of community service to students who are most in need, and have made lasting impressions on the lives of people in our island community;

WHEREAS, the CNMI AmeriCorps program meets two of the Corporation Strategic Initiatives – ensuring a brighter future for all of America’s youth and engaging students in numerous community activities; and have logged over 27,000 hours of tutoring and service learning to the CNMI community, including 4,800 students; and

WHEREAS, past members of CNMI AmeriCorps are now attending such diverse universities and colleges such as Northern Marianas College, St. Mary’s University, Texas, University of Nevada, Hawaii Community College, University of Guam, Chaminade University, Hawaii, Portland Community College, Boise University, Brigham Young University, New York University, and San Diego State University, while others have chosen to join the US military armed forces.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIMOTHY P. VILLAGOMEZ, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim and endorse May 11-18, 2008 as CNMI NATIONAL AMERICORPS WEEK. I urge all citizens and residents to observe this day and join me in recognizing the positive impacts of community service.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of May 2008.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TIMOTHY P. VILLAGOMEZ

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