House Passes Bill Marking New Era of National Service

Source: AARP Press Center | 2009-03-31

March 31, 2009

Contact: AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org

Washington, D.C. – AARP today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act—a bill that will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Designated as a “key vote” by AARP on behalf of its 40 million members, each legislator’s final vote is posted on AARP’s Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch) so individuals across the nation can see how their elected officials voted on this important bill.

Tom Nelson, AARP chief operating officer, released the following statement:

“AARP applauds the House for passing this important legislation and sending President Obama a bill that marks a new era of service in America.

“In a survey conducted for AARP last year, millions of boomers and older Americans said that in the next five years, they want to increase their volunteer service to improve their communities and our nation.

“We congratulate Congress for passing legislation that will offer more opportunities to volunteers of all ages who wish to help tackle America’s most pressing problems by lending a hand in their neighborhoods and communities.”

A recent letter from AARP CEO Bill Novelli to House leadership outlines the most important issues for older Americans in this legislation:

• The bill is devoted to enhancing service opportunities for persons age 50+ so that they can apply a lifetime of acquired skills to address a range of identified service needs; and
• The bill includes provisions that improve the capacity of non-profit, service and philanthropic organizations to recruit, manage and apply volunteer skills to identified service needs in this period of economic recession and lower charitable giving.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.