H.C.R. 9

             1     

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 20TH

             2     
ANNIVERSARY OF THE UTAH COMMISSION ON SERVICE

             3     
AND VOLUNTEERISM

             4     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             5     
STATE OF UTAH

             6     
Chief Sponsor: Robert M. Spendlove

             7     
Senate Sponsor: Karen Mayne

             8     
             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
             25     
             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.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-13-14 5:49 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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