I’m so pleased that the Senate overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act -- legislation that will usher in a new era of service. I want to applaud all those who have worked so hard to see this bill through, and I am eager to sign it into law.

H.R. 1388 - Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act
(Rep. McCarthy (D) NY and 37 cosponsors)

Dear Colleagues,

Congressional work on national service legislation goes to the Senate this week, as the full Senate begins consideration of S. 277, the Serve America Act, this afternoon.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Outstanding service-learning leaders were honored last night with Spirit of Service Awards at the National Service Learning Conference.

The awards were presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the country’s largest supporter of service-learning through its Learn and Serve America program. The Spirit of Service Awards pay tribute to the most outstanding participants in the Corporation’s Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps, and Senior Corps programs.

Nashville, Tenn. - Service-learning participants have a new tool to help them spread the word about service-learning: a communications toolkit packed with resources to aid teachers, students, and community leaders in promoting service-learning to educators, administrators and other decision-makers.

By Barack Obama

Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the most significant overhaul and expansion of national service programs in 16 years, acting on President Obama’s call to increase service opportunities for Americans of all ages to help address the economic crisis and usher in a new era of service and responsibility for our nation.

Dear Colleagues,

Today is a historic day for national service, as the U.S. House of Representatives is considering the most extensive legislation to strengthen and expand national service since the Corporation for National and Community Service was created in 1993.

Washington D.C. – In a rousing address to a fired-up gathering of YouthBuild AmeriCorps members on the National Mall today, First Lady Michelle Obama stressed the importance of community service in rebuilding lives and reinforced the Administration’s commitment to expanding service opportunities for all Americans.

I’m pleased that the House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan GIVE Act -- legislation to usher in a new era of service in this new century. I want to applaud all those who have worked so hard to see this bill through the House, and I am eager to see the companion legislation, the Serve America Act, passed through the Senate so I can sign it into law.