Serve Next - Serve America Act

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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.

Serve America Act (all tags)

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.

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.

What Happens Next? A Series of Personal Stories

Mar 30, 2009 Posted by Kim Wollner

With the most difficult tasks behind us, we now look forward to the effects the Serve America Act will have on the nation. The legislation joins together numerous service organizations to increase their resources, numbers, and funding. But what does that really mean?

I am in the process of collecting stories and expectations for the Serve America Act from these organizations and individuals involved in service at all levels. These stories will explain how a piece of legislation will improve national service in the very near future.

Keep an eye out for this series coming to a computer screen near you!

In the mean time check out the White House reaction to the Serve America Act passing through Congress on the White House blog.

If you would like to share a personal story or reaction to the Serve America Act, please email, kim@servenext.org.

We Did It!

Mar 27, 2009 Posted by Kim Wollner

Yesterday, the Senate passed the Serve America Act 79-19. This bipartisan vote was more than we could ever ask. You can see just how your senator voted at Senate.gov.

With the passing of this legislation you must give yourself a pat on the back. No one organization or individual could have done this. And we have every one of you to thank for making your voice heard in so many different ways.

You may be wondering what the next steps are. Because there were two different versions that went through the House and the Senate they must be combined and approved again. The House will receive the Serve America Act sometime next week to approve the changes from the Senate. Hopefully that vote will be just as bipartisan as the previous votes. Once approved by the House the bill goes to President Barack Obama to be signed into law!

Thank you again for all of your hard work ad support. And please do not forget to thank your Senator/Representative. Click the link to sign a thank you card to Congress.

Service Legislation Gains Momentum, Big Week Ahead

Mar 25, 2009 Posted by Kim Wollner

Last week, the House of Representatives voted on the GIVE Act (HR 1388). The vote was a huge bipartisan victory with 321-105. You can see the press conference held outside the Capitol after the vote here on YouTube.

We are halfway there in our fight for service for America, but we cannot coast through what we have left.

The Senate has the Serve America Act (S277) on its agenda this week (the Senate companion to the GIVE Act). After years of hard work, this is our week to get the bill passed! We are hoping that we have as big of a bipartisan victory in the Senate as we did in the House to show that this legislation is not a party issue.

You can read an opinion piece about the Senate legislation at
The Boston Globe.

While our country is in a difficult economic state, some may be questioning why now for this service legislation. Honestly, there is no better time for the Serve America Act to be passed. This bill would help pull our nation out of this crisis by creating jobs and opportunities for scholarship for citizens of all ages. We have seen with recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, that service is a necessary asset in our communities and we must increase the population of people serving. Everyday people talk about how they want to get involved with service, but they do not know where to turn for opportunities. This bill will clearly lay out all of the service opportunities available. All in all, this legislation will help pull our nation together to help one another.

Now it is your turn! You can help in this crucial week by making a short phone call to your Senator. We need as much grassroots support as possible so we are asking all of our supporters to take a second and visit The Youth Policy Action Center. There are simple instructions on where and how to call you Senator.

Every call is important so we also ask that you spread this call to your networks, no matter where they are from.

Thank you for your continued support!

Arizona Republic: Service act will help unite country

Nov 26, 2008 Posted by Aaron Marquez

Nov. 23, 2008 12:00 AM

President-elect Barack Obama, the 111th Congress, our country and world face great challenges as we await Inauguration Day.

The economy, energy, climate-change and education inequity: these are just a few of the profound tasks that confront us. These challenges can only be solved with the sacrifice of every American working together - Democrats and Republicans. Nothing is more important than first uniting our country.

With Sen. John McCain's leadership, there's a piece of legislation the might lead the way to unity: The Serve America Act. Both McCain and Obama co-sponsored this bill during the midst of the heated presidential campaign.

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