Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas House Bill HR1066 Latest Draft

Bill / Draft Version Filed 03/05/2025

                              
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State of Arkansas     1 
95th General Assembly      2 
Regular Session, 2025  	HR 1066 3 
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By: Representative Ennett 5 
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HOUSE RESOLUTION 8 
TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 9 -15, 2025, AS AMERICORPS WEEK. 9 
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Subtitle 12 
TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 9 -15, 2025, AS 13 
AMERICORPS WEEK. 14 
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 WHEREAS, service to others is a hallmark of the American character and 16 
has the unique ability to bring people of all backgrounds together in common 17 
cause to meet the nation's most pressing challenges; and 18 
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 WHEREAS, thirty-one (31) years ago, Congress established AmeriCorps, 20 
formerly the Corporation for National and Community Service, to unite 21 
national service programs under one (1) agency, create service opportunities 22 
that strengthen communities, and expand pathways to education, careers, and 23 
civic participation for those who serve; and 24 
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 WHEREAS, AmeriCorps provides opportunities for two hundred thousand 26 
(200,000) Americans each year to serve their country through an intensive 27 
commitment to service at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community 28 
and faith-based groups across the country; and 29 
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 WHEREAS, national service in AmeriCorps represents a robust public -31 
private partnership that invests in community solutions and leverages 32 
nonfederal resources to strengthen community impact and increase the return 33 
on taxpayer dollars, resulting in thirty seven million seven hundred thousand 34 
dollars ($37,700,000) in AmeriCorps education scholarships earned by 35 
Arkansans since 1994; and 36    	HR1066 
 
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 WHEREAS, in Arkansas, more than three thousand one hundred (3,100) 2 
AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers of varying ages and 3 
backgrounds helped to meet local needs at more than three hundred (300) 4 
locations in the state by responding to disasters, mentoring children and 5 
youth, supporting veterans and military families, fighting the opioid 6 
epidemic, restoring the environment, addressing food insecurity, and helping 7 
secure jobs and housing; and 8 
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 WHEREAS, AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers encourage 10 
collaboration and partnerships, leveraging millions of volunteers in service 11 
and acquiring the support of businesses, foundations, and other local 12 
partners to increase the effectiveness of their initiatives; and 13 
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 WHEREAS, AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs strengthen bridge	-15 
building skills by bringing people together from different backgrounds, 16 
generations, and geographic locations to address critical issues facing the 17 
country, forging relationships, cultivating mutual respect, and helping to 18 
build resilient and thriving communities; and 19 
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 WHEREAS, AmeriCorps enriches the lives of its members, building habits 21 
that create engaged citizens who are active participants in civic matters 22 
affecting their communities long after their service terms are completed; and 23 
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 WHEREAS, volunteering prepares AmeriCorps members for future careers 25 
and improves the mental well -being of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and 26 
their commitment to service reflects the dedication and patriotism of those 27 
who serve; and 28 
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 WHEREAS, through their service, AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps 30 
Seniors volunteers develop valuable work skills, earn money for continuing 31 
education, improve the lives of their families, strengthen communities, and 32 
foster civic engagement in Arkansas as a whole; and 33 
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 WHEREAS, AmeriCorps Week is an opportunity to recognize the dedication 35 
and commitment of two hundred thousand (200,000) AmeriCorps members and 36    	HR1066 
 
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AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who serve each year and the more than one 1 
million three hundred thousand (1,300,000) AmeriCorps alumni and millions of 2 
AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers and their community partners, and to encourage 3 
more Americans to follow in their footsteps in service, 4 
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NOW THEREFORE, 6 
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY -FIFTH GENERAL 7 
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 8 
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 THAT the House of Representatives recognize March 9 -15, 2025, as 10 
AmeriCorps Week in Arkansas. 11 
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution be 13 
provided to the leadership of AmeriCorps in Arkansas by the Chief Clerk of 14 
the House of Representatives. 15 
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