On Thursday, March 9, during the annual celebration of AmeriCorps Week, Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led an effort to pass Senate Resolution 86, which recognizes the contributions of AmeriCorps members in local communities. Additional co-sponsors included:
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR)
Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE)
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA)
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
Sen. Chir Van Hollen (D-MD)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
The resolution states,
“National service and volunteerism demonstrate the best of the spirit of the United States, with people turning toward problems and working together to find community solutions.”
Read the full text of the resolution here.
Sens. Cochran and Wicker issued a joint press release about the resolution saying,
“AmeriCorps has proven itself to be a worthwhile program for promoting volunteer work to improve communities. We’ve seen its benefits in Mississippi in our schools and during times of emergencies,” Cochran said.
“Service projects supported by AmeriCorps represent our longtime tradition of helping a neighbor in need,” said Wicker. “In Mississippi, we are no stranger to acts of volunteerism. Volunteer Mississippi and the AmeriCorps campus in Vicksburg are examples of how this national program can serve and unite communities throughout our state and across our country. No matter the challenges we face as Americans, we always find a way to make our country better.”
We’re grateful to these congressional champions for their dedication to raising awareness and growing support for AmeriCorps among their colleagues. Share your thanks: