Mr. PLATTS. Madam Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to speak today, and I certainly rise also in support of H.R. 2857, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act. This program will certainly strengthen and finally reauthorize the Nation's national and community service programs. And after 15 years, this reauthorization is certainly long overdue.
I want to add my words of praise and thanks to my Chair, Chairwoman [Page: H1351] McCarthy, as well as to the full committee Chair, Chairman Miller, and the ranking member, BUCK MCKEON, for their important leadership in moving this reauthorization forward of this very important program that promotes active involvement of citizens of all ages.
In 1973, Congress passed the Domestic Volunteer Service Act, DVSA, to foster and expand volunteer service in communities while helping vulnerable and disadvantaged populations such as the elderly and the poor. DVSA authorized the National Senior Volunteer Corps, made up of the Foster Grandparents Program, the Senior Companion Program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
Seventeen years later, Congress passed the National and Community Service Act, NCSA, of 1990. NCSA aims to address unmet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs, as well as to renew a sense of civic responsibility by encouraging citizens to participate in national service programs. Authorized under NCSA are Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps State and national grants, and the National Civilian Community Corps.
Both DVSA and NCSA are administered by the Corporation for National Community Service, and both laws were most recently amended in 1993 by the National and Community Service Act. While authorization of appropriations for both laws expired at the end of fiscal year 2006, these programs have remained funded through annual appropriations measures.
I'm pleased to be a cosponsor of H.R. 2857, the GIVE Act, and believe that this bill makes commonsense improvements to our Nation's national service programs. Not only does it provide increased flexibility for States, but importantly, and as referenced by Ranking Member McKeon, it also increases accountability and efficiency within the administration of these programs.
H.R. 2857 strengthens existing community and national service programs by providing year-round service opportunities for students and elderly alike, and further encourages involvement of disadvantaged youth. This legislation also expands eligibility requirements for senior serving programs like Foster Grandparents and the Senior Companion Program, ensuring that individuals with an interest in serving have options available to them. Finally, the GIVE Act reauthorizes DVSA and NCSA through fiscal year 2013.
Recent natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as the wild fires in California, have showcased the important efforts of AmeriCorps and NCCC volunteers. I am proud to be part of this effort to strengthen national service programs and ensure that participants can continue to aid disadvantaged and needy populations. And I have seen firsthand in my district the great work of senior citizens in the Senior Companion Program and young citizens in AmeriCorps partnering with Habitat for Humanity to truly make a difference in Central Pennsylvania. And we know that these efforts are being replicated across the country.
So, Madam Chairman, I hope that all will join in supporting the GIVE Act and vote in favor of this legislation.
