H.C.R. 9 Enrolled
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9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor recognizes the 20th
12 anniversary of the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Utah Commission on Service and
16 Volunteerism, as established through legislation during Utah's 1994 General
17 Session of the Legislature;
18 . encourages Utahns to renew their commitment to community engagement and
19 volunteerism; and
20 . encourages Utahns to render an additional measure of service during 2014 and
21 henceforward to further build and support the strength of Utah communities and
22 families through community engagement and volunteerism.
23 Special Clauses:
24 None
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26 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
27 WHEREAS, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism was established
28 through legislation in the 1994 General Session;
29 WHEREAS, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism's mission is to
30 strengthen Utah communities through the power of service and volunteerism;
31 WHEREAS, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism furthers its mission by
32 connecting people with opportunities to serve;
33 WHEREAS, for the past two decades, the Utah Commission on Service and
34 Volunteerism has been the central coordinating body for service and volunteerism in the state
35 and has developed, implemented, and sustained a vision and culture of civic engagement and
36 national and community service within the state;
37 WHEREAS, for eight years in a row, Utah has ranked number one in the nation for
38 volunteerism;
39 WHEREAS, Utah residents consistently give more service in their communities than in
40 any other state in America, rendering an average of 81.4 hours per resident in 2013;
41 WHEREAS, in 2013, 47.7% of Utahns rendered service in their communities and
42 across the state, totaling 165.5 million service hours;
43 WHEREAS, Utah's volunteerism makes an estimated economic contribution of over $3
44 billion annually, thereby adding to the strength of Utah's economy;
45 WHEREAS, the increased mental, emotional, and physical well-being experienced by
46 volunteers has increased the quality of life for all Utahns;
47 WHEREAS, volunteerism promotes a recognition of self-determination and the ability
48 to solve community and state problems at a local level;
49 WHEREAS, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism has worked to build
50 and cultivate the capacity to volunteer and serve in the community, to promote and inspire
51 statewide national service and volunteerism, and to recognize the efforts of outstanding
52 volunteers;
53 WHEREAS, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism recognizes that Utah's
54 volunteers are the bedrock of their communities;
55 WHEREAS, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism participates in
56 strategic initiatives that mobilize volunteers to meet local needs;
57 WHEREAS, neighborhoods where volunteers gather and serve are more vibrant, safe,
58 and engaged;
59 WHEREAS, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism has a long history of
60 advocating the value of volunteerism, training skilled volunteers, coordinating a statewide
61 system to facilitate service, developing innovative AmeriCorps programs, and promoting
62 Utah's national leadership in volunteerism;
63 WHEREAS, in 2013, the commission managed five AmeriCorps programs that
64 operated throughout the state, with over 1,000 AmeriCorps members who mobilized more than
65 13,000 volunteers who subsequently mentored over 26,000 individuals, served over 42,727
66 children, connected underserved populations to health care resources, cleaned and tended parks
67 and streams, taught environmental stewardship, and operated after-school programs;
68 WHEREAS, these members dedicated over 575,025 hours throughout the state with an
69 estimated value of over $10.3 million;
70 WHEREAS, in the past year, over 10,000 students have been tutored through the Utah
71 AmeriCorps Read. Graduate. Succeed. Program;
72 WHEREAS, 99% of the students participating in the Utah AmeriCorps Read. Graduate.
73 Succeed. Program showed a significant increase in reading fluency, with 67% achieving
74 reading scores at grade level;
75 WHEREAS, through the Utah AmeriCorps Health Care Corps, over 15,000 individuals
76 were connected with health care resources in 2013, including screenings, immunizations, pro
77 bono services, preventative health care measures, and translative services;
78 WHEREAS, Utah's Summer of Service is a statewide campaign that mobilized youth
79 across the state to make a difference in their communities by volunteering over the summer;
80 WHEREAS, Utah residents often look beyond state needs to serve needy populations
81 across the nation and the world, including the contributions of Utah Conservation Corps
82 AmeriCorps members who managed over 5,000 community volunteers assisting numerous
83 New York households in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy; and
84 WHEREAS, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism strongly promotes
85 partnerships and collaboration among public, private, and nonprofit sectors to increase
86 community impact and foster greater stability, security, and long-term prosperity in the state of
87 Utah:
88 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
89 Governor concurring therein, recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Utah Commission on
90 Service and Volunteerism.
91 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage all
92 residents to renew their commitment to community engagement and volunteerism.
93 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage all
94 residents to render an additional measure of service during 2014 and henceforward to further
95 build and support the strength of Utah communities and families through community
96 engagement and volunteerism.
97 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah
98 Commission on Service and Volunteerism.
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