Ami Bera: “Today I rise to talk about one of the great service-based programs in America, the AmeriCorps program. Since 1994, more…”

“Today I rise to talk about one of the great service-based programs in America, the AmeriCorps program. Since 1994, more than 1.1 million Americans have served in AmeriCorps. Today, more than 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve each year at over 21,000 locations across the country, including nonprofits, schools, public education agencies, and community and faith-based groups. AmeriCorps members come from all across this country. They are young men and women looking to learn leadership and give back to our country and our communities. They serve critical needs like fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, responding to and preparing for disasters, and mentoring youth. They mobilize and coordinate millions of volunteers to serve alongside them, which promotes a lasting impact on the volunteers and the communities that they serve. I was recently fortunate to speak at the induction ceremony for the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, one of three AmeriCorps programs. AmeriCorps NCCC members are assigned to one of four regional campuses, one being Sacramento, California, the district I represent. Before becoming AmeriCorps members, the inductees have to take the AmeriCorps member pledge; and, as I read that pledge, I thought this is something that we ought to think about as Members of Congress. Mr. Speaker, let me read that pledge to you right now. It says: I will get things done for America, to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.…”