Click here for the Hill Day document distributed to Congress.

Voices for National Service Hill Day 2007
Sharing the Story of National Service with
Our Congressional Leaders
September 18-19, 2007
Washington, DC

Events sponsored by:

During two days of events sponsored by the Comcast Corporation, more than 200 supporters of national service gathered in Washington, DC to draw attention to the impact of national service programs in America. 

On September 18, a luncheon discussion co-sponsored by the Center for American Progress, Hudson Institute, Voices for National Service, and the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, Tufts University, examined the role that national service plays in workforce and talent development for the country. Two panels brought together a thoughtful group of leaders from national service, higher-education, and the private sector for a policy discussion on service as a strategy for public and private leadership. First, national service alumni shared stories about the role that their national service experience has played in their professional development and career choices. Second, executives from every sector gave their perspective on the role national service can play in developing leaders and a strong workforce.

• Click here for a transcript from the policy forum.

• Panel Discussion: National Service Alumni Tell Their Stories

	Moderator:	AnnMaura Connolly, Senior Vice President, City Year and Steering Committee Member, Voices for National Service
	Panelists:	Kellie Bentz, Director, Hands On New Orleans Kaya Henderson, Deputy Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools Jason Phillips, Crispus Attucks, YouthBuild Tondalaya Shepard-Turner, Director of Volunteer Services, Mount Sinai Health System

• Panel Discussion: National Service as a Strategy for Workforce Development

	Moderator:	William Schambra, Director, Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic  Renewal, Hudson Institute
	Panelists:	Art Block, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Comcast Corporation Cheryl L. Dorsey, President, Echoing Green Rob Hollister, Dean, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, Tufts University Sally Prouty, President and CEO, The Corps Network Paul Schmitz, President and CEO, Public Allies

On September 19, representatives of the national service field, including alumni, program staff, service partners, and corporate sponsors, visited with more than 120 congressional offices during the Voices for National Service Hill Day to discuss the federal investment in AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and Senior Corps.  The group brought evidence of programs’ performance and impact from 31 different states and more than 60 organizations.  The meetings on Capitol Hill were a critical opportunity to share with Congress how national service is addressing needs in local communities, as key lawmakers consider legislation and funding bills that affect national service.

An opening program with Representatives Chris Shays (CT) and Jim McDermott (WA), both members of the National Service Caucus, launched the Hill Day.  Each lawmaker shared his vision and hopes for the expansion of national service in America and testified to why it is essential to visit Congress regularly and update policymakers on the impact national service is having across the country in nearly every congressional district.

While working to grow bipartisan support for national service, Hill Day participants reinforced three messages:

• For the programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, we urge Congress to adopt the funding levels approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 21: $275.8 million for AmeriCorps State and National, $217.6 million for the Senior Corps, $39.1 million for Learn and Serve America, and $31.8 million for National Civilian Community Corps.  The Senate mark is $36 million more than approved by the House.

• Since fiscal year 2004, federal support has been on a steady decline and all the service initiatives have been targeted for cuts.  In three years, funding has declined by close to $100 million, a trend that must be stopped and reversed to meet the record demand for service opportunities.

• It has been more than 14 years since Congress has passed a national service authorization bill.  The service programs are long overdue for reauthorization, and we are pleased the House Education and Workforce Committee has taken the lead and introduced H.R. 2857, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act (GIVE Act).  The GIVE Act includes many exciting provisions, but we hope to work with the committee to address some fundamental concerns in a manager’s amendment.