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Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009

 

Overview | Opportunities for Public Input | Press Releases and Official Statements
Legislative Action | Our Programs

Overview of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009 (Serve America Act)

President Obama delivered an early victory for a central cause of his Administration by signing into law a sweeping expansion of national service that will engage millions of Americans in addressing local needs through volunteer service.  The President signed the landmark Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act today at a Washington DC elementary school, joined by Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr, Jill Biden, Members of Congress, former President Clinton, former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, and an audience of nonprofit leaders and national service volunteers. The President was introduced by the bill’s namesake and longtime service champion Senator Kennedy, who co-authored the legislation with Senator Orrin Hatch.On April 21, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act at an elementary school in Washington DC.  The President was joined by Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr, Jill Biden, Members of Congress, former President Clinton, former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, and an audience of nonprofit leaders and national service volunteers (read more).

The Serve America Act reauthorizes and expands national service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency created in 1993. The Corporation engages four million Americans in result-driven service each year, including 75,000 AmeriCorps members, 492,000 Senior Corps volunteers, 1.1 million Learn and Serve America students, and 2.2 million additional community volunteers mobilized and managed through the agency’s programs.

Opportunities for Public Input

The Serve America Act goes into effect on October 1, 2009. We will be spending the coming weeks and months planning for implementation, and are very interested in getting your input as we move ahead. As the people who make service happen in communities everyday, you have vital insights about how we can make the most of the extraordinary opportunities presented by this new legislation. We also need your input as we develop the Corporation’s strategic plan for the next five years.

We are sponsoring a number of opportunities for public input over the next month, including listening sessions around the country, conference calls, and a web page for submitting your written comments (coming soon).  The public listening sessions are as follows. Details and RSVP information are available by clicking on the links below:

May 13, 2009 Springfield, MO 1:00 - 4:00pm (local) Click here to register
May 14, 2009 Columbia, SC 1:00 - 4:00pm (local) Click here to register
May 20, 2009 Washington, DC* 12:30 - 2:30pm (local) Click here to register
May 22, 2009 Boston, MA 9:00am - 12:00pm (local) Click here to register
May 27, 2009 Salt Lake City, UT 9:00am - 12:00pm (local) Click here to register
May 28, 2009 New Orleans, LA 1:00 - 4:00pm (local) Click here to register

* The May 20 listening session in Washington DC will take place as part of the Corporation’s public Board of Directors meeting.  This will be an abbreviated session following conclusion of other Board business.

Press Releases and Official Statements

Legislative Action

111th Congress: Reauthorization of the Corporation for National and Community Service and Expansion of National Service Programs

The Serve America Act, S. 277, legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the national service laws, was introduced by Senators Kennedy and Hatch on January 16, 2009. On March 26, 2009, the Senate voted 79-19 to pass national service reauthorization legislation, naming the bill the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

The Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education (GIVE) Act, H.R. 1388, a bipartisan reauthorization bill, was introduced on March 10, 2009. On March 11, 2009, the House Committee on Education and Labor approved the GIVE Act by a vote of 34-3.

Click here for an archive of national service legislative activity from the 110th Congress.

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