New York Governor Paterson Applauds Expansion Of Federal National Service Agenda

Enactment of Landmark National Service Legislation Provides Innovative Volunteer and Service Opportunities to Meet Needs of New York State Communities

April 21, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today applauded President Barack Obama for signing into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, as well as Congress for passing this legislation, which will expand national service and volunteer programs, tackle the most pressing community challenges and create a renewed era of civic responsibility. The legislation encourages 175,000 more Americans to give a year of service to help meet challenges in a handful of targeted areas: addressing the dropout crisis, strengthening schools, improving health care and economic opportunity in low-income communities, cleaning up parks, aiding efforts to boost energy efficiency, and responding to disasters and emergencies.

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“As we work to overcome the greatest fiscal crisis since the Great Depression, the value of this historic support for volunteer service in New York State cannot be underestimated,” Governor Paterson said. “Community service is an integral part of empowering citizens and making our communities stronger. Throughout history, those citizens who responded to the call to action are the ones who have inspired others and made a lasting impact – whether by tutoring youth in local neighborhoods or responding to disaster efforts in other countries. I applaud President Obama and Congress for the passage of this landmark legislation which will make a difference in the lives of so many New Yorkers and Americans.”

Governor Paterson and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger drafted a letter of support that 21 governors signed and sent to the Congressional Leadership, urging them pass the legislation. The New York State Delegation also provided vital support. Particularly, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities, who provided important leadership that led to the House passage of the legislation, and both Senator Charles E. Schumer and Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, who co-sponsored the Serve America Act in the Senate.

The passage of this legislation reauthorizes the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and launches a new era of service that will:

o Create 175,000 new service opportunities, up from 75,000;
o Establish four new service corps to address key needs in low income communities, including a Clean Energy Corps, to encourage energy efficiency and conservation measures: an Education Corps to help increase student engagement, achievement and graduation; a Healthy Futures Corps to improve health care access; and a Veterans Service Corps to enhance services for veterans;
o Provide incentives for middle and high school students to engage in service;
o Establish Youth Engagement Zones, a new service-learning program to help bridge partnerships between community based organizations and schools in high-need, low-income communities to engage high school students and out-of-school youth in service learning;
o Establish Campuses of Service to support and recognize colleges and universities with exemplary service-learning program and assist students in the pursuit of public service careers;
o Expand opportunities for disadvantaged youth, including those with disabilities, to become more involved with service.

First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson, Honorary Chair of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service, said: “Community service and volunteerism are of the utmost importance and I am thrilled that New Yorkers and Americans will have more opportunities to engage with their communities and neighbors. The work of State service commissions is vital in addressing many of our State’s most critical needs. Coordinated State service plans provide opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds to commit their time to a cause they support while helping others.”

In September, Governor Paterson appointed Susan Stern, Chair of the State Commission on National and Community Service, to his Cabinet. New York is second only to California to create a cabinet-level position that focuses on service and civic engagement.

Chair Susan Stern said: “It is an honor to work with the people of New York who recognize the current state of need and responded by volunteering their time and skills. Truly amazing work is being done by individuals in communities every day and I am pleased to see it recognized and celebrated.”

Source: New York Governor