The President today signed into law the Edward Kennedy Serve America Act, H.R. 1388, a major reauthorization and expansion of national volunteer programs. The law launches a new era of volunteerism by increasing the number of volunteers in federal service programs from 75,000 to 250,000, and it establishes new volunteer opportunities for students, retirees, and veterans.

Included in the bill is a provision authored by Congressman Henry Cuellar that dramatically expands colonias’ access to volunteers and eliminates the costs imposed on colonias by federal service programs.

“History has shown us that, in moments of crisis, Americans always respond by rededicating themselves to their neighbors and their communities,” Congressman Cuellar said. “In today’s challenging economy, I helped to write this legislation to support the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are ready, willing, and able to lend a helping hand.”

Communities that receive volunteers from AmeriCorps and other federal programs typically contribute up to 50% of the volunteer’s costs, which may include a modest living allowance, employment-related taxes, health care, and so on. Congressman Cuellar’s amendment eliminates the cost-sharing requirement for colonias, defined as “residential areas that may lack basic living necessities, such as water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe, sanitary housing.”

Existing federal rules offered no such exemption, creating a potentially insurmountable financial burden for these poor, rural communities.

“The communities that most need volunteer service are the ones that can least afford to pay for it,” Congressman Cuellar explained. “By recognizing the unique economic challenges facing colonias, my amendment dramatically expands opportunities for volunteers to help colonias meet their basic, essential needs.”

Other provisions of the Serve America Act will create a new national Call to Service campaign and encourage Americans to observe September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The new law also establishes a Summer of Service program to engage students in service, allowing participants to earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs.

In addition, the Serve America Act:

• Strengthens existing service programs and creates new innovative programs to help improve student achievement and graduation in low-income schools, expand health care access, provide seniors with help living independently, enhance services for veterans, and help build a green, energy-efficient economy;
• Establishes a Veterans Corp to meet the unique needs of veterans and military families;
• Expands the focus of the National Civilian Community Corps to infrastructure improvement, environmental and energy conversation, and urban and rural development, in addition to disaster relief;
• Creates new opportunities for Baby Boomers and seniors to serve and volunteer;
• Recruits scientists and engineers into service to keep America competitive; and
• Builds a nationwide community-based infrastructure to leverage investments in service.

In 2007, more than 61 million Americans spent over 8 billion hours volunteering, generating $158 billion worth of direct benefits to communities. 

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111th Congress. Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.