Posted on 11/09/2001 8:46:40 AM PST by meandog
McCain, Bayh Applaud President Bush's Emphasis on Volunteerism
November 9, 2001
-- Senators' "Call to Service Act" Would Create Volunteer Homeland Defense Corps -
Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Evan Bayh (D-IN) today made the following statement:
"We applaud President Bush for issuing a call to service in his address to the nation last night. Declaring that 'Our citizens have new responsibilities,' the President endorsed the creation of new opportunities within AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps programs for public safety and public health efforts.
"Earlier this week, we introduced legislation that would create a new role for AmeriCorps in homeland defense duties. Our legislation would dramatically expand service opportunities under AmeriCorps and create a new short-term military enlistment option. We look forward to working with President Bush to create more opportunities for Americans to serve their country, and to meet the challenges of a new age.
"This cause transcends party or ideology and unites all citizens in service to their nation, in both civilian and military capacities.
"We anticipate working closely with the Administration to enact this legislation. The time is right and the need is urgent."
(B) Ya think? What did I miss?
(C) **bolts the door, but arms self with Silly String...just in case**
(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Rosie K. Mauk, a longtime champion of volunteer service on the state and national level, has been named Director of AmeriCorps, the national service program that engages 50,000 Americans annually in service to meet community needs.
Mauk, who worked with President Bush on service initiatives when he was Governor of Texas, takes office at a time of intense interest in AmeriCorps. Last night President Bush announced that AmeriCorps members will support homeland security efforts in the areas of public safety, public health and disaster preparedness. In October, AmeriCorps kicked off its eighth year of service with its largest class ever, and inquiries from potential members have jumped 30 percent since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Political leaders of all stripes are weighing proposals to expand AmeriCorps to provide more opportunities for Americans to serve their country.
"Since September 11, our nation has seen a tremendous outpouring of patriotism and civic pride, and people are asking what more they can do," Mauk said from her home in Fort Worth, Texas. "For many, we hope the answer is AmeriCorps. By helping our neighbors and taking responsibility for others, we reaffirm what's best about America. An active citizenry dedicated to community service is fundamental to our democracy."
Mauk has served on the Texas Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service since 1995, having twice been appointed by Governor Bush. She helped found and is chair of the American Association of State Service Commissions, and is president of Camp Fire USA's National Board of Directors.
"It's obvious from the President's speech last night that he is committed to expand opportunities for Americans to serve their nation," Mauk said. "I welcome the chance to help make the President's vision of involved citizens and communities of character a reality. National service transcends the agenda of any one political party. It is America's agenda, especially in these challenging times."
For the past 25 years, Mauk has been a strong advocate of community service and an active participant in many volunteer and charitable organizations. A longtime resident of Fort Worth, she has served on the boards of United Ways of Texas and the Preservation Society of Fort Worth, and has been president of the AIDS Outreach Center and a founding board member of the Volunteer Center of Tarrant County. Mauk spearheaded a fundraising drive for the YWCA of Tarrant County that raised $5 million to build a new homeless childcare center. She has won numerous awards, including the Governor's Volunteer Leadership Award, Fort Worth Woman of the Year, and a 1999 Daily Point of Light award. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Mauk is a graduate of University of Toledo.
"Rosie has committed her entire adult life to service and volunteerism. That experience will serve her well as she leads AmeriCorps into a new era of success," said Leslie Lenkowsky, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers AmeriCorps. "I am especially looking forward to her building more connections between all levels of national service and making AmeriCorps an even more powerful resource to America's outstanding volunteer sector."
AmeriCorps has been operating under the direction of Robert Torvestad since January. Mauk will begin her assignment on November 13th. For more information about AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service, visit www.nationalservice.org.
AmeriCorps members train volunteers, tutor and mentor at-risk youth, build housing, clean up rivers and streams, help seniors live independently, provide emergency and long-term assistance to victims of natural disasters, and meet other community needs.
Doesn't sound so ominous to me...it is basically compassionate conservativism.
It is voluntary, not compulsory. I take it from your comment that you also would not agree with a militia? Geez...and here I thought you were a true second amendment believer.
Put that thing down before you hurt yourself. A study authored by Arthur Kellerman and released by the Violence Policy Center shows that a can of silly string is 40 times more likely to be used against an acquaintance than it will be used to kill an intruder.
Dan
(c8
Homeland Security - Every American Can Help
Today's Presidential Action
- Americans are looking for ways to get involved in the war against terrorism on the home front. The President announced two new initiatives today to give citizens new opportunities to support Homeland Security efforts, and to help every American better prepare to respond to terrorist attacks.
- The President announced that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will support homeland security in the coming year in three major areas: public safety; public health; and disaster mitigation and preparedness. CNCS proposes to mobilize more than 20,000 Senior Corps and AmeriCorps participants in FY 2002 to support these efforts.
- President Bush also created the Presidential Task Force on Citizen Preparedness in the War Against Terrorism. Within 40 days, the Task Force will make recommendations to help prepare Americans in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, places of worship and public places from the potential consequences of terrorist attacks. The Task Force will also recommend ways for Americans to support local officials, including in police departments, fire departments and community health centers, who are often the first to respond to a terrorist attack. The Task Force will be co-chaired by the President's Homeland Security and Domestic Policy advisers and will consist of the relevant Federal agency heads.
Background on New Service Options to Support Homeland Security
- Supporting Public Safety: CNCS proposes to provide more than 10,000 additional Senior Corps and AmeriCorps participants to support police departments, fire departments, and other local agencies such as parks and recreation departments. These participants would free up local personnel to meet their front line responsibilities by performing administrative tasks and other functions that can be performed by non-commissioned officers.
- Supporting Public Healh: CNCS proposes to provide more than 5,000 additional Senior Corps and AmeriCorps members to support public health agencies in outreach and information dissemination and administrative support. Resources will be targeted at low-income communities.
- Supporting Disaster Preparedness: CNCS proposes to provide more than 5,000 additional Senior Corps and AmeriCorps participants in disaster preparedness and mitigation. AmeriCorps and Senior Corps volunteers have a long track record of working with FEMA and other relief agencies in helping communities to respond to disasters.
If all U.S. citizens were encouraged to freely exercise their unalienable right to keep and bear arms, as the founders intended, the U.S. (including the FRiendly skies) would be much safer.
"Touchy-Feely" stuff will not work.
“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
[Thomas Jefferson, letter to Benjamin Rush, 1800.]
I say that McSHAME is a tratorious piece of bilge.
Where the heck does it say it is coerced? I heard people on here last week wishing they could do something for homeland defense, especially those who are too old to enlist. Now all I see are a bunch of whiners when an opportunity is presented. Sure, it will not be killing Tali-whackos, but will be service to your country nonetheless.
Well, we will see what comes out of it. I am mistrustful of the two bill's sponsors, which is why I sound grumpy about this.
On a side note, I wonder if the reorganization of the Justice Department, sending more agents to the field, is going to send the Clinton spies to places like South Dakota and Alaska, where they won't know what is going on in the administration. Sometimes things have more than one purpose.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!!
You're such a stitch!
Get a grip on yourself, Dingdong. LOL!!
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