42 U.S.C. § 12501 : US Code - Section 12501: Findings and purpose

Search 42 U.S.C. § 12501 : US Code - Section 12501: Findings and purpose

(a) Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Throughout the United States, there are pressing unmet
human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs.
(2) Americans desire to affirm common responsibilities and
shared values, and join together in positive experiences, that
transcend race, religion, gender, age, disability, region,
income, and education.
(3) The rising costs of postsecondary education are putting
higher education out of reach for an increasing number of
citizens.
(4) Americans of all ages can improve their communities and
become better citizens through service to the United States.
(5) Nonprofit organizations, local governments, States, and the
Federal Government are already supporting a wide variety of
national service programs that deliver needed services in a cost-
effective manner.
(6) Residents of low-income communities, especially youth and
young adults, can be empowered through their service, and can
help provide future community leadership.
(b) Purpose
It is the purpose of this chapter to -
(1) meet the unmet human, educational, environmental, and
public safety needs of the United States, without displacing
existing workers;
(2) renew the ethic of civic responsibility and the spirit of
community throughout the United States;
(3) expand educational opportunity by rewarding individuals who
participate in national service with an increased ability to
pursue higher education or job training;
(4) encourage citizens of the United States, regardless of age,
income, or disability, to engage in full-time or part-time
national service;
(5) reinvent government to eliminate duplication, support
locally established initiatives, require measurable goals for
performance, and offer flexibility in meeting those goals;
(6) expand and strengthen existing service programs with
demonstrated experience in providing structured service
opportunities with visible benefits to the participants and
community;
(7) build on the existing organizational service infrastructure
of Federal, State, and local programs and agencies to expand full-
time and part-time service opportunities for all citizens; and
(8) provide tangible benefits to the communities in which
national service is performed.