Thursday, March 16, 2006 Printable Version (PDF) Washington, DC – Congresswoman
Doris O. Matsui (CA-5) is leading efforts in the House to save the AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corp (NCCC) program
from being eliminated later this year. In a letter to House Appropriators, Congresswoman Matsui, joined by a bipartisan coalition of nearly 50 Members of Congress, urged funding for NCCC be restored. AmeriCorps*NCCC is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24. Members live at one of five residential campuses, including one in Sacramento at McClellan Park. These campuses would be shut down under the President’s proposal. Team members commit ten months to service and in return receive a $4,725 education award and a small living stipend.
March 3, 2006
Chairman Ralph Regula
Subcommittee on Labor, HHS,Education and Related Agencies
U.S. House Appropriations Committee
2358 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Ranking Member David Obey
Subcommittee on Labor, HHS,
Education, and Related Agencies
U.S. House Appropriations Committee
1016 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Regula and Ranking Member Obey:
We are writing to express our concern regarding the proposed cut of the Americorps*National Civilian Community Corp (NCCC) in the President’s FY 07 Budget. As you are aware, there are five campuses in the United States that serves as both a wonderful place for young people to get involved with their community, and necessary aid for hundreds of communities across the country. It is with that in mind that we respectfully request that the Appropriations Committee include $25.5 million in the Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill to continue funding this program.
Since 1994, the AmeriCorps*NCCC
team members have played an important role by developing leaders and strengthening communities through team-based national and community service in the areas of disaster relief, education, unmet human needs, environment, and public safety.
They can be found working in our schools, our non-profit organizations and on community projects throughout our nation.
Americorps*NCCC members are 100% disaster trained and available for immediate deployment in the event of a natural disaster anywhere within the United States. Trained in CPR, first aid, disaster response, and firefighting, NCCC teams have responded to every national disaster since the program was established. Since September 2005, all NCCC members, over 1,400, have been deployed to the Gulf Coast Region to support hurricane relief and recovery. They have provided more than 250,000 service hours, valued at $3.8 million, on more than 50 different projects. Project sponsors have included FEMA, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the city of Waveland, MS, St. Bernard’s Parish, LA, and others. Finally, NCCC has continued to support long term recovery efforts in the region and currently has 300 NCCC members deployed on 24 projects throughout the Gulf Coast and approximately 900 members will be deployed to the Gulf Coast Region in early March to coordinate the work of spring break volunteers.
The President’s proposed budget eliminates the program by providing only $5 million to close the five regional campuses, which include campuses in: Sacramento, CA: Denver, CO; Charleston, SC; Washington, DC: and Perry Point, MD. The campuses support over 100 programs throughout the country. If these cuts are allowed to go through they will have a profound affect on our schools and communities.
Eliminating the Americorp*NCCC sends precisely the wrong message to those who want to build a better tomorrow for those in need. We urge you to appropriate funding for this vital program. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
