Reps. Tobocman, Byrum, Meisner, Bieda, Brown, Rivet, McConico, Elkins, Kolb, Lipsey, Condino, Cheeks, Reeves, Williams, Farrah, Sak, Minore, Anderson, Woodward, Wojno, Gieleghem, Paletko, Plakas, Vagnozzi, Spade, Law, Zelenko, Phillips, Hardman, Dennis, Richardville, Waters, Clack, Hopgood, Murphy, O'Neil, Stallworth, Acciavatti, Adamini, Daniels, Farhat, Gillard, Jamnick and Sheltrown offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 117.

            A resolution to memorialize the President and Congress of the United States to restore funding to the AmeriCorps program.

            Whereas, In a move that contradicts a proposal in the 2002 State of the Union Address to expand and improve the AmeriCorps program, this versatile and effective service initiative is slated for a dramatic cut in next year's federal budget.  For Michigan, the impact of the budget cut would be a reduction of approximately two-thirds of funding; and

            Whereas, In Michigan, the AmeriCorps program has exerted a significant impact, especially in disadvantaged areas of our state.  AmeriCorps workers devote themselves to a wide range of human service, education, public safety, and environmental activities.  Whether tutoring students, promoting conflict resolution skills among young people, offering job training, working with victims of domestic violence, or encouraging practices that protect the environment, AmeriCorps workers are enriching our communities by meeting critical needs; and

            Whereas, The AmeriCorps concept of instilling important skills in our people represents the best type of investment we can make.  The success of this work, in strengthening communities and empowering people, especially our young, argues compellingly for a restoration of funding at the very least; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the President and Congress of the United States to restore funding to the AmeriCorps program; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.