Senate Passes Needed National Service Legislation

/PRNewswire/ -- AARP yesterday applauded the Senate for passing the 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 senator's vote is posted on AARP's Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch) so individuals across the nation can see how their legislators voted on this important bill.

Brian Posey, Associate State Director for Advocacy for AARP Delaware released the following statement today:

"AARP members stand ready to give, and offer a lifetime of acquired skills to meet a range of community needs. The Serve America Act will help provide the additional service opportunities people age 50+ are looking for."

He also noted that Delaware holds a volunteer rate of more than 25 percent. Also, the number of boomers and older Americans who express a desire to volunteer is growing both locally and nationally.

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

-- This legislation will strengthen and expand civic engagement and
volunteer opportunities to include social services, environment,
health, caregiving, nurturing, mentoring, intergenerational solutions,
education, economic development and community development.

-- AARP is pleased that the bill will improve service opportunities for
persons age 50+ so that they can apply a lifetime of acquired skills
to help remedy a range of identified service needs. AARP encourages
expanding volunteer service for older persons by allowing older
volunteers to occupy important decision-making roles.

-- We are also supportive of the 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.

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