On the recordFebruary 25, 2010
I am pleased to join the distinguished Senator from West Virginia, Mr. Rockefeller, in submitting a resolution to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, program. President Kennedy suggested in 1963 a program of national service that would provide assistance to those in need in urban and rural areas. Less than 2 years later, President Johnson launched the ``War on Poverty,'' and included the VISTA program created by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been hard at work in the fight against poverty for 45 years. Today, the VISTA program is stronger than ever, placing 6,500 full-time volunteers at 1,200 nonprofit organizations and public agencies each year. These volunteers are committed to serving the needs of the poorest Americans at numerous program sites, and they are to be commended for their unselfish contributions to helping others. I am proud to say that there are 87 VISTA volunteers at 21 program sites in my home State of Mississippi. I understand the sacrifices that are being made by these young men and women and the important impact that these volunteers have made in our communities. I am pleased to congratulate VISTA on 45 years of distinguished service to our country.
