AARP Online Community: AARPCA - House Passes Bill Marking New Era of National Service

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House Passes Bill Marking New Era of National Service

AARP Tracks “Key Vote” on Government Watch for 40 Million Members

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.