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Senate Passes Needed National Service Legislation

WASHINGTON, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP today 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 thatDelaware 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.

Below is the key vote summary of how Delaware's elected officials voted on the Serve America Act, which can also be found at www.aarp.org/governmentwatch:

    Elected Official   VOTED YES TO PASS    VOTED NO ON SERVE
                       SERVE AMERICA ACT       AMERICA ACT
                       -----------------    -----------------
    Carper, Thomas      Yea
    Kaufman, Ted        Yea

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.

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, theDistrict of Columbia,Puerto Rico, and theU.S. Virgin Islands.

SOURCE AARP Delaware