Louisiana Governor

Bobby Jindal

Proclamation

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 75,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country's critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps members serve with more than 2,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith based and community organizations; and

WHEREAS, since 1994, more than 500,000 men and women have provided needed assistance to millions of Americans across the nation through their AmeriCorps service; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps opens the door for citizens to serve in a variety of ways; and

WHEREAS, through their service and the volunteers they mobilize, AmeriCorps members address critical needs in communities throughout America, including tutoring, fighting illiteracy, improving health services, building affordable housing, cleaning parks and streams, helping communities respond to disasters and building organizational capacity; and

WHEREAS, more than 24,000 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities and increase civic engagement in 262 national service projects across Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps members, after their terms of service end, remain engaged in our communities as volunteers, teachers, public servants, and nonprofit leaders in disproportionately high levels; and

WHEREAS, the Corporation for National and Community Service will commit over $ 15.3 million to support Louisiana this year, and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps Week is an opportune time for the people of Louisiana to salute AmeriCorps members and alumnae for their powerful impact, thank all of the AmeriCorps' community partners in Louisiana and around the nation who make the program possible, and bring more Americans into service.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bobby Jindal, Governor of the State of Louisiana, do hereby proclaim May 11-18, 2008 as AMERICORPS WEEK In the State of Louisiana