2002 U.S. Code
Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 129 - NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Sec. 12501 - Findings and purpose

The Congress finds the following:

(1) Throughout the United States, there are pressing unmet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs.

(2) Americans desire to affirm common responsibilities and shared values, and join together in positive experiences, that transcend race, religion, gender, age, disability, region, income, and education.

(3) The rising costs of postsecondary education are putting higher education out of reach for an increasing number of citizens.

(4) Americans of all ages can improve their communities and become better citizens through service to the United States.

(5) Nonprofit organizations, local governments, States, and the Federal Government are already supporting a wide variety of national service programs that deliver needed services in a cost-effective manner.

(6) Residents of low-income communities, especially youth and young adults, can be empowered through their service, and can help provide future community leadership.

It is the purpose of this chapter to—

(1) meet the unmet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs of the United States, without displacing existing workers;

(2) renew the ethic of civic responsibility and the spirit of community throughout the United States;

(3) expand educational opportunity by rewarding individuals who participate in national service with an increased ability to pursue higher education or job training;

(4) encourage citizens of the United States, regardless of age, income, or disability, to engage in full-time or part-time national service;

(5) reinvent government to eliminate duplication, support locally established initiatives, require measurable goals for performance, and offer flexibility in meeting those goals;

(6) expand and strengthen existing service programs with demonstrated experience in providing structured service opportunities with visible benefits to the participants and community;

(7) build on the existing organizational service infrastructure of Federal, State, and local programs and agencies to expand full-time and part-time service opportunities for all citizens; and

(8) provide tangible benefits to the communities in which national service is performed.

(Pub. L. 101–610, §2, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3129; Pub. L. 103–82, §2(a), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 787.)

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 101–610, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3127, as amended, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.

1993—Pub. L. 103–82 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to findings and purposes for former provisions setting forth the purposes of this chapter.

Pub. L. 107–117, div. B, §1301(a), Jan. 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2339, provided that: “This section [enacting subchapter III of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Unity in the Spirit of America Act’ or the ‘USA Act’.”

Pub. L. 103–304, §1, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1565, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 4953, 5024, 12591, 12602, 12615, 12619, 12622, 12651d, 12653, and 12655n of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4953 of this title] may be cited as the ‘King Holiday and Service Act of 1994’.”

Section 1(a) of Pub. L. 103–82 provided that: “This Act [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993’.”

Pub. L. 102–384, §1, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1455, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 12511, 12522, 12523, 12525, 12526, 12541, 12550, 12612, 12614, 12615, 12622, 12639, 12651, and 12681 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National and Community Service Technical Amendment Act of 1992’.”

Pub. L. 102–10, §1, Mar. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 29, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 12645 of this title, amending sections 5091m, 12511, 12521, 12522, 12524, 12527, 12531, 12542 to 12544, 12548, 12553, 12575, 12576, 12602, 12638, and 12651 of this title, and repealing section 12556 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National and Community Service Technical Amendments Act of 1991’.”

Section 1(a) of Pub. L. 101–610 provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter, sections 5091 to 5091n of this title, and section 2452a of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse, amending sections 1018c, 1018e, 1070a–6, 1087vv, 1092, and 1092b of Title 20, Education, and former section 546 of Title 45, Railroads, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 24301 of Title 49, Transportation] may be cited as the ‘National and Community Service Act of 1990’.”

Section 110 of subtitle B (§§110–118) of title I of Pub. L. 101–610, which provided that such subtitle (enacting former part B (§§12521–12531) of subchapter I of this chapter) be cited as the “Serve-America: The Community Service, Schools and Service-Learning Act of 1990”, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–82, title I, §103(a)(2), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 825.

Section 199 [formerly 120] of subtitle I (§§199–199O) [formerly subtitle C (§§120–136)] of title I of Pub. L. 101–610, as renumbered by Pub. L. 103–82, title I, §101(a), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 788, provided that: “This subtitle [enacting division I (formerly part C) of subchapter I of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act of 1990’.”

Section 140 of subtitle D (§§140–150) of title I of Pub. L. 101–610, which provided that such subtitle (enacting former part D (§§12571–12580) of subchapter I of this chapter) be cited as the “National and Community Service Act”, was omitted in the general amendment of part D (now division D) by Pub. L. 103–82, title I, §102(a), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 816.

Section 301 of title III of Pub. L. 101–610 provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter II of this chapter] may be cited as ‘The Points of Light Foundation Act’.”

Section 501 of Pub. L. 103–82 provided that: “No funds appropriated pursuant to this Act [see Tables for classification] (including the amendments made by this Act) may be expended by an entity unless the entity agrees that in expending the assistance the entity will comply with sections 2 through 4 of the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C. 10a–10c [41 U.S.C. 10a, 10b, former 10b–1], popularly known as the ‘Buy American Act’).”

Section 502 of Pub. L. 103–82 provided that:

“(a) Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products.—In the case of any equipment or product that may be authorized to be purchased with financial assistance provided under this Act [see Tables for classification] (including the amendments made by this Act), it is the sense of the Congress that entities receiving such assistance should, in expending the assistance, purchase only American-made equipment and products.

“(b) Notice to Recipients of Assistance.—In providing financial assistance under this Act (including the amendments made by this Act), the Secretary of Education shall provide to each recipient of the assistance a notice describing the statement made in subsection (a) by the Congress.”

Section 503 of Pub. L. 103–82 provided that: “If it has been finally determined by a court or Federal agency that any person intentionally affixed a label bearing a ‘Made in America’ inscription, or any inscription with the same meaning, to any product sold in or shipped to the United States that is not made in the United States, the person shall be ineligible to receive any contract or subcontract made with funds appropriated to carry out this Act, pursuant to the debarment, suspension, and ineligibility procedures described in sections 9.400 through 9.409 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations.”

Ex. Ord. No. 13254, Jan. 29, 2002, 67 F.R. 4869, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13286, §6, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10620, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Building on our Nation's rich tradition of citizen service, this Administration's policy is to foster a culture of responsibility, service, and citizenship by promoting, expanding, and enhancing public service opportunities for all Americans and by making these opportunities readily available to citizens from all geographic areas, professions, and walks of life. More specifically, this Administration encourages all Americans to serve their country for the equivalent of at least 2 years (4,000 hours) over their lifetimes. Toward those ends, the executive departments, agencies, and offices constituting the USA Freedom Corps shall coordinate and strengthen Federal and other service opportunities, including opportunities for participation in homeland security preparedness and response, other areas of public and social service, and international service. The executive branch departments, agencies, and offices also will work with State and local governments and private entities to foster and encourage participation in public and social service programs, as appropriate.

Sec. 2. USA Freedom Corps. The USA Freedom Corps shall be an interagency initiative, bringing together executive branch departments, agencies, and offices with public service programs and components, including but not limited to programs and components with the following functions:

(i) recruiting, mobilizing, and encouraging all Americans to engage in public service;

(ii) providing concrete opportunities to engage in public service;

(iii) providing the public with access to information about public service opportunities through Federal programs and elsewhere; and

(iv) providing recognition and awards to volunteers and other participants in public service programs.

Sec. 3. USA Freedom Corps Council. (a) Establishment and Mission. There shall be a USA Freedom Corps Council (Council) chaired by the President and composed of heads of executive branch departments, agencies, and offices, which shall have the following functions:

(i) serving as a forum for Federal officials responsible for public service programs to coordinate and improve public service programs and activities administered by the executive branch;

(ii) working to encourage all Americans to engage in public service, whether through Federal programs or otherwise;

(iii) advising the President and heads of executive branch departments, agencies, and offices concerning the optimization of current Federal programs to enhance public service opportunities;

(iv) coordinating public outreach and publicity of citizen service opportunities provided by Federal programs;

(v) encouraging schools, universities, private public service organizations, and other non-Federal entities to foster and reward public service;

(vi) studying the availability of public service opportunities provided by the Federal Government and elsewhere; and

(vii) tracking progress in participation in public service programs.

(b) Membership. In addition to the Chair, the members of the Council shall be the heads of the executive branch departments, agencies, and offices listed below, or their designees, and such other officers of the executive branch as the President may from time to time designate. Every member of the Council or designee shall be a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the Federal Government. Members shall not be compensated for their service on the Council in addition to the salaries they receive as employees or officers of the Federal Government.

(i) Vice President;

(ii) Attorney General;

(iii) Secretary of State;

(iv) Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(v) Secretary of Commerce;

(vi) Secretary of Education;

(vii) Secretary of Veterans Affairs;

(viii) Secretary of Homeland Security;

(ix) Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service;

(x) Director of the Peace Corps;

(xi) Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development;

(xii) Director of the USA Freedom Corps Office; and

(xiii) Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

(c) Chair. The President shall be the Chair of the USA Freedom Corps Council, and in his absence, the Vice President shall serve as Chair. The Director of the USA Freedom Corps Office may, at the President's direction, preside over meetings of the Council in the President's and Vice President's absence.

(d) Honorary Co-Chair. The President may, from time to time, designate an Honorary Co-Chair or Co-Chairs, who shall serve in an advisory role to the Council and to the President on matters considered by the Council. Any Honorary Co-Chair shall be a full-time or permanent part-time employee or officer of the Federal Government.

(e) Meetings. The Council shall meet at the President's direction. The Director of the USA Freedom Corps Office shall be responsible, at the President's direction, for determining the agenda, ensuring that necessary papers are prepared, and recording Council actions and Presidential decisions.

(f) Responsibilities of Executive Branch Departments, Agencies, and Offices.

(i) Members of the Council shall remain responsible for overseeing the programs administered by their respective departments, agencies, and offices. Each such department, agency, and office will retain its authority and responsibility to administer those programs according to law;

(ii) Each executive branch department, agency, or office with responsibility for programs relating to the functions and missions of the USA Freedom Corps as described in section 2 of this order shall be responsible for identifying those public service opportunities and coordinating with the USA Freedom Corps Council to ensure that such programs are, if appropriate, publicized and encouraged by the Council; and

(iii) Upon the request of the Chair, and to the extent permitted by law, the heads of executive branch departments and agencies shall provide the Council with relevant information.

Sec. 4. USA Freedom Corps Office. (a) General. The USA Freedom Corps also shall be supported by a USA Freedom Corps Office (Office), which shall be a component of the White House Office. The USA Freedom Corps Office shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the President. The Director shall be assisted by an appropriate staff within the White House Office.

(b) Presidential Recognition to Participants in USA Freedom Corps Programs. In addition to supporting and facilitating the functions of the Council listed in section 3 of this order, the Office shall support the President in providing recognition to volunteers and other participants in programs and activities relating to the functions and missions of the USA Freedom Corps as described in section 2 of this order.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) The White House Office shall provide the Council and Office with such funding and administrative support, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, as directed by the Chief of Staff to the President to carry out the provisions of this order.

(b) This order does not alter the existing authorities or roles of executive branch departments, agencies, or offices. Nothing in this order shall supersede any requirement made by or under law.

(c) This order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity, against the United States, its departments, agencies, or other entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.

George W. Bush.