TIME's second annual national service issue

Statement from Voices for National Service on the Intent to Nominate Patrick Corvington, CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service

Voices for National Service applauds the nomination of Patrick Corvington as the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. We encourage Congress to move expeditiously to confirm his nomination.

Patrick brings a unique set of skills and expertise that are right for these times. His expertise in nonprofit leadership and capacity-building, evaluation and performance measurement, and systems reform will be helpful to a field poised for major growth with high expectations for results. Patrick's relationships with grassroots organizations, national nonprofits and foundations, social entrepreneurs and systems reformers will bring many new partners to national service and expand service and innovation as solutions to community needs.

The national service field supports the President's nomination and looks forward to working with him to implement the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and grow national service, volunteer service, and social innovation to scale.

• Click here to read the White House press release announcing the intent to nominate Patrick Corvington as CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• Click here to read the press release from the Corporation for National and Community Service on President Obama’s intent to nominate Patrick Corvington as CEO.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 1932-2009
Statement on a Life of Service

Our country and our world have lost a giant today.  Senator Edward M. Kennedy's extraordinary life touched us all in so many important ways. As a Senator, his incomparable commitment to service and justice led to some of the most sweeping legislation of our time.  His was a life of service; he was the voice of the voiceless and never forgot the daily struggles of ordinary Americans. His humanity and his idealism were at the heart of everything he did, and he was a tremendous champion for the national service movement. In April, President Obama signed into law the largest expansion of national service since the New Deal, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was appropriately named for Senator Kennedy at the recommendation of his friend and colleague, Senator Orrin Hatch.  We are deeply grateful for Senator Kennedy's leadership, his vision for a more just world and his belief in the power of the human spirit. Our hearts are with his family and friends today.  We will miss him.
		Photos by M. T. Harmon, Office of Public Affairs, Corporation for National and Community Service; and Office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy (via kennedy.senate.gov)

Congressional Committee Recommends
Record Appropriation for Service

	Click here to enlarge.

On Tuesday, July 28, the Senate Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee reported out a funding package that includes $1.157 billion in fiscal year 2010 for the Corporation for National and Community Service, representing the largest appropriation ever for national service.  The figure is $8 million above President Obama’s request for CNCS ($1.149B) and $98 million more than the House of Representatives allocation ($1.059B).

The Senate recommendation for CNCS is a $267.1 million (30%) increase over the FY09 enacted level and will fund new and existing programs authorized in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

• Click here for more information.

• Click here for details on the President's FY10 budget request from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• It is critically important that all champions of service and social innovation call on Members of Congress and urge them to fund CNCS at the levels approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee ($1.157B). Click here for action steps you can take.

Voices for National Service will remain engaged, reaching out to the Administration and the Congress, urging them to approve a substantial investment in national service that will help to make the Serve America Act a reality.

		On April 21, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which will dramatically expand national service opportunities to address America's most pressing challenges. At the signing ceremony, the President drew significant attention to one of the bill's architects, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), highlighting the long-standing commitment by the senator and his family to service and the country.

• Click here to read President Obama's complete statement from the bill signing ceremony.

• Click here to read more on the bill signing from the White House.

• Click here for a detailed summary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the bill language provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• Click here to read news coverage of the bill signing.

• Click here for a statement from Voices for National Service on the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

While the bill authorizes a massive expansion of national service programs for Americans of all ages, implementation is tied to the availability of funds.  The President is expected to release a detailed budget for Fiscal Year 2010 next month, and Congress will consider the President's request as they make discretionary spending decisions and consider the twelve annual appropriations bills.

Voices for National Service will remain engaged in the appropriations process and will provide updates as they become available.

Millions watched this week as President Obama spoke to a Joint Session of Congress and clearly stated his vision for the role National Service should play in facing the critical challenges our country faces.

		“To encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations,” President Obama asked Congress to send him the Serve America Act, “the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country – Senator Edward Kennedy.”

The Serve America Act builds on service as a strategy to meet specific national challenges such as addressing the dropout crisis and strengthening our schools; improving energy efficiency; safeguarding the environment; improving health care and expanding economic opportunity in low-income communities; and preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies.

• Click here to read the full transcript

• Click here for other National Service news

		Recording Artist Usher joined other distinguished witnesses to testify before the House Committee on Education and Labor at a hearing examining how to renew America through national service and volunteerism on February 25, 2009.   It was the first full committee education hearing held in the 111th Congress. The hearing investigated the role of service in meeting critical community needs, reinvigorating civic engagement across all levels of society, expanding opportunities for young people to participate in service, and how national and community service can help “green” America.

Click on the witnesses listed below to read their testimony:

• Rep. George Miller (D-CA) Opening Statement

• Usher Raymond IV, Recording Artist and Chairman Usher's New Look Foundation

• James Harris, Youth Participant Usher's New Look Foundation

• Richard Stengel, Managing Editor TIME Magazine

• Van Jones, Founder and President Green for All

• Cheryl L. Dorsey, President Echoing Green

• The Honorable Harris Wofford, former US Senator (D-PA)

• Sgt. Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, United States Army

• David L. Caprara, Director and Nonresident Fellow Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service

• Lisa Hamilton, President UPS Foundation