Carol Shea-Porter: “House Resolution 293 is a bipartisan bill recognizing the important role of volunteers in local, national, and…”

“House Resolution 293 is a bipartisan bill recognizing the important role of volunteers in local, national, and international communities and their dedication to improving lives, strengthening communities, and fostering civic engagement through service and volunteering. April 15-21, 2007 is recognized as National Volunteer Week. The theme is Inspire by Example, which reflects the power volunteers have to inspire the people they help and to aspire others to serve. Inspire by Example has been the theme throughout our history. We have 61 million volunteers out of a population of 300 million who volunteer some time each day to serve others. From the very beginning of our time, we have been committed to serving each other. Benjamin Franklin started a volunteer fire department in a library and took care of those in the community, as have others. From the beginning, through war, through disaster and through famine, we have seen the greatest step forward to serve our country.”