WHEREAS, service to others is a hallmark of the American character, and the current economic downturn means more people are facing hardships, resulting in an increased need for assistance; and

WHEREAS, each year AmeriCorps, including AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC, provides opportunities for 75,000 citizens across the nation, including approximately 2,400 in Washington, to give back in an intensive way to our communities, state, and country; and

WHEREAS, since 1994, more than 574,000 men and women across the nation, including more than 23,000 from Washington, have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to “get things done for America”; and

WHEREAS, those AmeriCorps members have served a total of more than 718 million hours nationwide, including 32 million served by Washingtonians, helping to improve the lives of our state’s most vulnerable citizens, strengthening our educational system; protecting our environment, and contributing to our public safety; and

WHEREAS, Congress recently passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Corporation for National and Community Service and engage more Americans in service, including a major expansion of AmeriCorps to focus on critical national issues such as education, health, clean energy, veterans, and economic opportunity; and

WHEREAS, during AmeriCorps Week we salute AmeriCorps members and alums, thank all AmeriCorps' community partners in Washington who make the program possible; and bring more Americans into service;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim May 9-16, 2009, as

AmeriCorps Week

in Washington State, and I urge all citizens to join me in this special observance.

Signed this 24th day of April, 2009

Governor Christine Gregoire

###