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Washington, DC - Congressman John P. Sarbanes, MD-03, offered an amendment to the Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education Act, or GIVE Act, that seeks to support our nations veterans and veterans service organizations. The National Conversation on Veterans and Community Service amendment was accepted by a unanimous vote in the final mark up of the GIVE Act and passed by the Education and Labor Committee today.
“Returning veterans and their families often face tremendous challenges upon their discharge from the military, especially veterans who have been injured or disabled in the line of duty,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “This amendment will explore the creative and collaborative opportunities for improved veterans service.”The Sarbanes National Conversation on Veterans and Community Service Amendment would require:
• The Corporation for National and Community Service, in conjunction with Veterans Service Organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, State Veterans Agencies, the Department of Defense and other organizations deemed appropriate by the Corporation, to initiate a “National Conversation”. It would identify:
- specific areas of need for veterans
- how existing volunteer corps and programs could better serve veterans
- gaps in service to veterans
- prospects for better coordination of services
- prospects for better utilization of veterans as resources and volunteers
• A report on the results of the conversation, together with a plan for a pilot program using promising strategies and approaches for better serving and utilizing the talents of veterans, which would be transmitted to Congress not later than one year following the date of enactment of this Act.
• Implementation of the pilot program based on the findings of the report above.
The GIVE Act was voted out of the Education and Labor Committee today and will reach the House floor for passage in the coming weeks.
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