Sunday Newscape Magazine

"By encouraging more people to volunteer through organizations like the American Red Cross, this legislation is exactly what our nation needs at this challenging time in our country's history.

"This bill provides a welcome shot in the arm for non-profits, which are confronting a rapidly rising demand for assistance at a time when the economic downturn is making it ever more difficult to raise resources.

"The American Red Cross relies on nearly 500,000 volunteers to perform extraordinary acts in the face of emergencies, so we are particularly pleased that the Serve America Act authorizes additional AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps members working for the Red Cross help communities in so many ways—responding to national disasters, supporting our military communities, teaching life-saving courses, and recruiting new volunteers to serve.

"On behalf of the American Red Cross, I wish to thank President Obama and the U. S. Congress for helping us change more lives from crisis to hope."