U.S. Congress Expresses Support for Service-Learning and the Learn & Serve Challenge

Your efforts to raise awareness and build public support for service-learning are working.

Service-learning and the Learn & Serve Challenge were featured on Yahoo News and are also currently featured on the front page of the White House service website.

But it doesn't stop there.
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 769 in support of the National Learn & Serve Challenge. The resolution publicly recognizes the benefits of service-learning in helping youth become stronger students in the classroom and more engaged citizens in the community. The resolution was introduced by Representative Todd Platts (R-PA) and cosponsored by Representatives Matsui (D-CA), Kennedy (D-RI), Ehlers (R-MI), and Price (D-NC).

You can view H.Res 769 here.
You can view the news release from Rep. Platts here.

Now, it's the U.S. Senate's turn.
On Wednesday, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 46. Sen. Murray was joined by Senators Bayh (D-IN), Cochran (R-MS), Collins (R-ME), Dodd (D-CT), Feingold (D-WI), Gillibrand (D-NY), and Mikulski (D-MD).

You can view S.Con.Res 46 here.

If your Senator is not a current co-sponsor of the Senate resolution in support of service-learning and the National Learn & Serve Challenge, share your service-learning success story and ask her or him to co-sponsor Senate Concurrent Resolution 46. You can reach these members by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

How To Reach Your Senators
1. Call the Capitol Hill switchboard (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your senator.
2. Once connected, ask to talk with the member's staff responsible education or national service issues.
3. Share with that staff member why your senator should support service-learning.
4. Encourage your senator to co-sponsor Senate Concurrent Resolution 46, which recognizes the benefits of service-learning and the Learn and Serve America program.
If interested in co-sponsoring the resolution, the staff member can contact Sarah Bolton in Sen. Murray's office at (202)224-2621 or via email.

As we wrap-up the kick-off week of the 2009-2010 National Learn & Serve Challenge, it is so important to let Congress know that service-learning works and we care. Contact NSLP Policy Director, Ace Parsi if you have questions or need more information.

Finally, remember to Accept the Challenge. Let us know you're committed to engaging youth and college students in service-learning activities this school year. Accept the Challenge here!

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The Learn & Serve Challenge is a signature event of the National Service-Learning Partnership in collaboration with the Corporation for National and Community Service. It is made possible with support from State Farm® Companies Foundation.

The Challenge is supported by nearly 100 local, state, and national organizations committed to engaging in service-learning in our nation's schools, college campuses, and communities.

Lead Organizing Partners include:
* American Association of Community Colleges
* American Association of State Colleges and Universities
* America's Promise Alliance
* Campus Compact
* DECA
* Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
* National Alliance for Faith and Justice
* National Community Education Association
* National Education Association
* National Youth Leadership Council
* National Parent Teacher Association
* SEANet - the State Education Agency K-12 Service-Learning Network
* Usher's New Look Foundation
* Youth Service America

For more information, visit the Challenge website or call (202) 884-8982.