The Serve America Act is through Congress!

My Op-Ed

May 08, 2009 Posted by  Kim Wollner

I wanted to share with you a piece that was recently published in my local newspaper.  I was able to call my community to serve under the newly signed Serve America Act.  I tried to scan in a copy of the article, but it was unsuccessful.  So I have copied the text of the piece in this entry.  I hope you all enjoy it!

A New Era of Service

       As an undergraduate student at the George Washington University in Washington, DC, I have one fear about my future: not finding a job after graduation.  Even being in big city with a college degree, securing a job in this economy is not an easy task.
    Fortunately, the White House, Senate, and House recently worked together on bold legislation for national service (called the Serve America Act in the Senate and the GIVE Act in the House). This will give me a brighter outlook toward the day I graduate as a possible route for employment while giving back to my country.  This act encompasses the change President Barack Obama advocated all through his campaign.  After being the only piece of legislation specifically mentioned in his recent speech to a joint session of Congress, it is evident that President Obama demands success on this bipartisan work.
    President Obama will sign the bill into law on the 21st, ensuring that service is never forgotten in this nation.  His personal experience with service as a community organizer on the south side of Chicago is a personal victory for the president
    The change will come in the form of thousands of citizens joining together to improve the nation on numerous facets.  Upon its passage, the legislation will create a Clean Energy Corps, Healthy Futures Corps, Education Corps and Veterans Services Corps. Increases to existing programs such as AmeriCorps, will improve the already standing tradition of service to the country.  These corps call for every citizen to “ask what you can do for your country.”  Additionally, they will offer educational scholarships for those who serve to ensure that our nation is continuing its commitment to higher education.  Paying for any level of schooling has become a primary struggle in this economic crisis and this act will lessen that burden to ensure that all who are willing can enhance their education.
    The nation has an interest in looking out for its citizens in all aspects. This act does that by creating new jobs, increasing new energy sources, and supporting a solid educational base for its citizens.  
    The nation’s future is in the hands of my generation.  This service legislation proves that the United States in invested in protecting and enhancing the future of this generation.  No longer are we waiting for a miracle.  This is our time, and it is our duty to ensure that our future succeeds.
    Graduations are right around the corner and this legislation may be a solution to fearing graduates.  All of the opportunities laid out in the piece embody the profound investment in service the nation needs.  The bill calls America to help itself in this time of economic struggle by creating jobs that will pull the United States into a new age of service and responsibility.  Roosevelt accomplished this with the New Deal and Kennedy inspired the same sentiment; today President Obama wants to see the nation pull itself out of this downturn by starting from the bottom up.
        No matter where one lives, what one believes, or what side of the aisle one may be on, this act is meant to increase the social investment we have to each other.   Service to the nation is not a partisan issue.  We all want to improve the condition of the United States and we should start by working together.
       I call all Illinois citizens to show your support for this legislation and serve your country in some way.  This could mean volunteering at the hospital down the street or traveling across the country to assist in the rebuilding efforts of North Dakota.  

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A Student Perspective

Apr 03, 2009 Posted by  Kim Wollner

    Graduating college seniors have been struggling since September to secure their futures.  Since the economic crisis these students have only been worried about one thing, getting a job after college.  
    The Serve America Act gives these worrying minds another answer: service.  The legislation creates more job opportunities in a not-so traditional sense.  AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and Teach for America will be able to accept more graduates into their programs from increased funding.  
    “Anyone can serve,” said Krystal Brun, a sophomore at the George Washington University.  “No matter what you go to school for, there is a place for you in the service sector.  And that is what makes this increase to service so important.”
    Brun is right.  Whether a student is graduating with a political science, biology, or anthropology degree there is a service opportunity to his/her name on it waiting to be taken.
    There is no better time for this legislation.  With jobs disappearing left and right, everyone, no matter what age, needs a back up plan for the future.  Service gives the comfort of having security, drive to do good, and the reward of helping the nation’s future.
    “I know I have a few years before I graduate, but service is looking to be a great option for me,” Brun explained.  “Whether that be teaching science for Teach for America or joining AmeriCorps, I am seriously considering helping my country without picking up a weapon.”
    The Serve America Act allows Brun to more options than ever before.  Who knows where the economy will be in two years, but service will always be there.

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The Serve America Act is through Congress!

Apr 01, 2009 Posted by  Kim Wollner

Yesterday in a roll call vote, the House of Representatives voted to amend the Serve America Act with the newer Senate version.  The vote was 275-149, fulfilling the super majority and bipartisan efforts.

   This only leaves one step to make this official, signing the bill into law.  While President Barack Obama is in Europe right now, there will be no reason for him to sign the Serve America Act as soon as he lands in the states.  

   After the Serve America Act is on the books of US Code, we still need your support.  We need to make sure that Congress fulfills their promises laid out in the bill.  Appropriations will occur to physically fund the bill, and this is definitely not the easiest process.  ServeNext will keep you updated with all of that.

   But for now…it is time to celebrate our success!  Thank you for your continued support and efforts.  Without you we could not have succeeded!

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One More Time...

Mar 30, 2009 Posted by  Kim Wollner

As I have posted before, the House needs to vote on the Serve America Act one more time.  And that time is now!  The House has brought the Serve America Act up to the floor on the Suspension Calendar.  This means that no amendments can be made, but it must receive a 2/3 super majority.  The House originally voted 321-105 carrying the super majority necessary for this time around.  If the bill is put through today, the legislation will be on President Obama's desk by tonight!

We can do this, but we need your help!  

How can you help?

   * Since increased spending levels in the Senate bill may cause concerns for some House members, we ask that you contact your Representatives and urge them to support the bill.
    * The message is simple: "Please pass the GIVE Act as amended by the Senate."
    * The House operator -- 202-225-3121 -- can connect you with your Congressperson. Click here to find out who represents your district.
    * Every phone call counts and every vote matters.

You can see how your representative voted in the first vote HERE.

Thank you again for all of your support and effort for national service.  Your efforts will all be justified when President Barack Obama signs the Serve America Act into law.

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Gone are the times we spent dreading waking up in the morning, fearing whether we would have a job the next day and hoping everything would blow over.  If our economic crisis is going to improve, we are going to have to change it!  Even the real estate industry seems to be rebounding, in fact one report had shown that more and more people are now obtaining their real estate license.

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Washington Post: Should National Service Be Part of Obama's Economic Plan?

Nov 26, 2008 Posted by  Aaron Marquez

Yesterday, Washington Post writer, Ed O'Keefe wrote a blog posting that explored if national service should be included as part of Obama's economic plan.  

Absolutely! Americans are ready more than every for a call bold call to service.  O'Keefe's blog posting points out that there are 3 applicants for every AmeriCorps slots.  Also many programs have seen an increase in applicants in these dire economic times.

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