MA Service Alliance​ Recognizes Rep. Seth Moulton for Award

From the Massachusetts Service Alliance: In recognition of his strong support for national service, Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) received the Franklin D. Roosevelt Service and Conservation Corps Leadership Award from Voices for National Service, a diverse coalition of national service programs, state service commissions and individual champions, who work to ensure Americans of all ages can serve and volunteer in their community.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Service and Conservation Corps Leadership Award is given for championing the important role of service and conservation corps in modern day America, reflective of the legendary ideals and work accomplished by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Depression era Civilian Conservation Corps. The awards were formally presented in Washington, DC on February 14th at the 14th Annual Friends of National Service Awards.

“I've seen firsthand the positive, tangible difference that AmeriCorps members and other civilian service volunteers have made in our communities, from improving educational outcomes for our students to protecting our public lands. A democracy is only strong when citizens are engaged, and I feel that each one of us has a responsibility to strengthen our democracy through service. The Massachusetts Service Alliance and Voices for National Service play a vital role in expanding national service opportunities so that every American has the opportunity to give back, and I am humbled to receive this award,” said Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA).

“We are thrilled that Representative Moulton has been selected to receive this prestigious award recognizing his personal and professional commitment to National Service,” said Emily Haber, CEO, Massachusetts Service Alliance. “Representative Moulton has shown time and time again that he believes in the power of AmeriCorps members to make a difference in Massachusetts and across the country in addressing critical issues, such as environmental conservation and public land stewardship, that face our nation.”

Honorees were selected based on recognition and support for national service as a solution to some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. Each award winner has helped to raise public awareness of national service and elevate national service as a national priority.

Representative Moulton joined a bipartisan group of distinguished leaders in government, business and journalism from across the nation being honored, including Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Representatives Tom Cole (R-OK) and David Price (D-NC), Mayor David Condon (R-Spokane, WA) and journalist David Brooks of The New York Times. Click here to see the full list of award winners and details regarding the event.

“Representative Moulton is an outspoken champion for expanding service opportunities across the country. A military veteran himself, he understands the unique benefits service can provide to local communities and to those who serve,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President, Voices for National Service. “A firm believer in environmental conservation, Congressman Moulton has introduced legislation to facilitate restoration projects on public lands while expanding service opportunities – accelerating projects at no additional cost to taxpayers. In recognition of his continued commitment to leveraging national service to address national priorities and secure a bright future for the national service movement, Voices for National Service is proud to honor Representative Moulton with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Service and Conservation Corps Leadership Award.”

National service is a cost-effective strategy for engaging citizens, improving communities and strengthening the nation. In communities across the country, national service members of all ages and backgrounds provide critical services to fulfill unmet needs. National service members tutor and mentor struggling students, help Americans lead healthier lives, provide job training and other services to returning veterans, preserve the nation’s parks and public lands, offer disaster relief and recovery assistance after natural disasters and support independent living for seniors and Americans with disabilities. For every federal dollar invested in national service, there are returns to society of nearly four dollars in terms of higher earnings, increased output and other community-wide benefits.

Congress created the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that oversees national service programs such as AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, to be a public-private partnership that invests limited federal dollars to leverage substantial private investment to improve lives and communities. In 2015, CNCS generated $1.26 billion in outside resources from private businesses, foundations, and other sources, an amount exceeding the federal appropriation.

Furthermore, a recent survey of more than 3,700 AmeriCorps alumni found that eight out of 10 alumni say AmeriCorps benefited and advanced their career path, and that AmeriCorps alumni are more likely to attain a bachelor’s degree or higher than the average American adult.

Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Service Alliance: Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) with AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for NationalService and Mary Ellen Sprenkel, CEO of The Corps Network.