-9999
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. REED. Madam President, service is a core American value. We take inspiration from those who have answered the call to serve, whether in defense of our Nation abroad or in strengthening our communities at home. Finding common cause through service is how we will overcome the major challenges of our time--addressing inequality, strengthening civil society and democratic institutions, and leaving a healthy, resilient planet to future generations. That is why I am proud to join Congressman John Larson of Connecticut in introducing the America's Call to Improving Opportunities Now, ACTION for National Service Act. Our legislation calls for a historic expansion of the number of service opportunities and an increased investment in those who serve.
The ACTION for National Service Act will honor our national value of service, while addressing the barriers that limit citizens' opportunities to serve. Our legislation will set us on a path to 1 million national service positions within 10 years. It will increase the educational award so that an individual completing 2 full years of service will earn the equivalent of 4 years of the average instate tuition at a public college or university. Indeed, those who are willing to serve should not be left to carry a heavy financial burden of student loan debt. The ACTION for National Service Act will also ease other financial barriers to service by increasing the living allowance and eliminating the tax liability for the education awards and living stipends. The bill calls for a robust outreach effort to ensure that all young people will know about the many opportunities to serve their country and their communities. It will mobilize a Civilian Climate Corps to address the urgent needs of hardest hit communities. Finally, the ACTION for National Service Act calls for elevating the Corporation for National and Community Service to a Cabinet-level Agency and establishes a National Service Foundation to leverage private sector resources to support national service activities.
Madam President, it is time that we reinvigorate the social contract we have with each other by elevating service as a national value. We must also make the commitment to invest in the education and professional development of those who are willing to sacrifice for our Nation. Developing the talents of our most committed citizens pays lifelong dividends. Our investment in the GI Bill not only honors our servicemembers but also enriches our Nation. Similarly, the education awards for those who have served through our national programs have economic impacts beyond the individuals who earn them. That is the new deal that the ACTION for National Service Act offers.
All AmeriCorps members take a pledge to get things done for Americans, to make communities safer, smarter and healthier, and to bring us together. It is a pledge we all should commit ourselves to.
I would like to thank Senators Coons, Baldwin, Brown, Blumenthal, Duckworth, and Klobuchar for joining me as original cosponsors of the ACTION for National Service Act and the over 40 organizations, including Voices for National Service, States for Service Coalition, Habitat for Humanity International, YouthBuild, Service Year, City Year, and With Honor Action, that have endorsed this legislation. We urge our colleagues to join us in working for its passage so we can ensure that all who aspire to serve have the opportunity to do so. ______
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source