9th Annual Friends of National Service Awards Reception
February 14, 2012
Washington, DC

On Valentine’s Day, over 400 supporters of service from across the nation gathered in our nation’s capital for the 9th Annual Friends of National Service Awards Reception. The event gave honor and recognition to the public officials and private citizens who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the cause of national service.  The reception, which took place in the elegant East Hall of Union Station, was co-hosted by The Corps Network and Voices for National Service, and sponsored by Comcast, Monster, National Grid, and CSX .

Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Representative Norm Dicks (D-WA-6), Representative Steve Stivers (R-OH-15),  and President of Miami Dade College, Eduardo Padrón, were all present to accept their respective awards and spoke to the importance of national service work.   Jon Bon Jovi, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter accepted their honors and addressed the audience by video.   In attendance to accept the award for Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar was Will Shaforth, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

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Annual Awards and Honorees

Edward M. Kennedy National Service Lifetime Leadership Award
For life-long dedication to citizen service and for outstanding leadership in advancing national service as a civic commitment and legislative priority
Senator Thad Cochran

Citizen Service Award
For investing in the civic health of our nation through support of national service
Jon Bon Jovi and Eduardo Padrón, President, Miami Dade College

Outstanding National Service Advocacy Award
For outstanding leadership and advocacy of national service as a state and federal priority
Governor Pat Quinn and Governor Terry Branstad

Distinguished Service Award
For prioritizing national service funding and legislation to expand high-quality opportunities for citizens to serve their community and our country
Senator Richard Shelby and Representative Norm Dicks

Outstanding New Member Award
For elevating national service as a first term legislative priority
Senator Chris Coons and Representative Steve Stivers

State and Local Leadership Award
For leadership and innovation in leveraging national service to meet state and local needs
Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Mayor Michael Nutter

Service in Media Award
For using journalism to raise awareness of and encourage Americans’ participation in national service
David Gergen

Franklin D. Roosevelt Service and Conservation Corps Leadership Award
For championing the important role of service and conservation corps in modern day America, reflective of the legendary ideals and work accomplished by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Depression Era Civilian Conservation Corps
Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar

National Service Leaders: 2012 Voices for National Service’s Awards Honorees

• Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter each received a 2012 Friend of National Service Award for demonstrating a passionate commitment to protecting and expanding national service opportunities throughout the country. In their acceptance speeches each recipient emphasized the tangible ways service work has made a difference in their communities.
  
  
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Photos from the event

• Click here to see photos from the event on the Voices for National Service Flickr

News stories covering the 2012 Friends of National Service Reception

• Thad Cochran and Jon Bon Jovi: different, but the same
  Kaija Wilkinson, The Mississippi Press, 2/20/2012
• Cochran honored for leadership
  The Tunica Times, 2/24/2012
• Cochran receives Edward M. Kennedy Award
  Sun Herald, 2/15/2012

Voices for National Service Capitol Hill Day
Thursday, September 15, 2011
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Washington, D.C.

In September, more than 170 staff, corporate sponsors, AmeriCorps alumni and board members from National Service programs came together to meet with nearly 200 Congressional offices to explain the importance of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the innovative, cost-effective programs the agency supports, including AmeriCorps, VISTA, Senior Corps, Learn & Serve America, and the Volunteer Generation Fund.

In addition to an action packed day of visiting members of Congress, the all-day program included a kick-off event featuring opening remarks from AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service, and an inspiring speech by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) in which she encouraged Hill Day attendees to share their personal stories, to challenge legislators to ensure that CNCS receives a minimum of level funding in FY12, and to make clear that national service programs should be a priority for all legislators. 

• Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the Hill Day.

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