(Providence, R.I.)–At the State House today, Rhode Island Congressmen Jim Langevin and Patrick Kennedy reiterated their call for President Bush to fund the very program he praised and encouraged all Americans to participate in during his 2002 State of the Union Address.  Earlier this week, both Congressmen sent a letter to the President
urging additional funding for the AmeriCorps program.
 
Under the looming funding cuts, the Rhode Island AmeriCorps and City Year program would essentially be eliminated as 69 AmeriCorps positions would be cut - a 93 percent loss for the Rhode Island program.
 
"Today, more and more Americans, particularly young people, are showing interest in improving their nation through public service," said Congressman Langevin.  "I believe that we can, and must, find a way to keep City Year and all the valuable AmeriCorps programs alive. We must find a way to resolve the accounting dispute, reduce the shortfall for 2003, and ensure that the National Service Trust is fully funded for 2004.
 
Added Kennedy, "Instilling the values of service into our nation's youth should be a priority in this country.  Yet, Congress and the President continue to slash funding to critical programs like AmeriCorps.  Rather than doling out huge tax breaks to the wealthiest of Americans, we should try to find a way to keep valuable programs like this alive.  Countless youth depend on AmeriCorps and we shouldn't let them down."
 
Both Langevin and Kennedy appealed to Bush stating:
 
"Without a supplemental appropriation, this dramatic decrease in AmeriCorps positions will be devastating to communities and the people who rely on their help. It is also likely to damage, if not destroy, the infrastructure of programs, which do not have the resources to sustain a significant budget cut, even if only for one year.  Already, thousands of prospective members have put their plans on hold to accommodate the five-month freeze on enrollments instituted by the Corporation.  Further delays will undermine our mutual commitment to promoting new service opportunities and empowering community-based organizations... We urge you to request additional funding in the supplemental appropriations bill to ensure that AmeriCorps remains a strong and vital program today and in the future."
 
According to the AmeriCorps web site, AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve through more than 2,100 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations. They tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters. Created in 1993, AmeriCorps is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. Together these programs engage more than 2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service each year.
 
The national service program reports since 1994, more than 250,000 men and women have served in AmeriCorps, providing needed assistance to millions of Americans.
  
"These cuts will affect real people, including the most vulnerable people - children - in significant ways," added Langevin  "Those affected aren't just numbers, they are children and families who deserve all the assistance we can give them."

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