2018 US Code
Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare
Chapter 66 - Domestic Volunteer Services
Subchapter I - National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs
Part A - Volunteers in Service to America
Sec. 4951 - Congressional statement of purpose

This part provides for the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program of full-time volunteer service, together with appropriate powers and responsibilities designed to assist in the development and coordination of such program. The purpose of this part is to strengthen and supplement efforts to eliminate and alleviate poverty and poverty-related problems in the United States by encouraging and enabling persons from all walks of life, all geographical areas, and all age groups, including low-income individuals, elderly and retired Americans, to perform meaningful and constructive volunteer service in agencies, institutions, and situations where the application of human talent and dedication may assist in the solution of poverty and poverty-related problems and secure and increase opportunities for self-advancement by persons affected by such problems. In addition, the objectives of this part are to generate the commitment of private sector resources, to encourage volunteer service at the local level, to support efforts by local agencies and community organizations to achieve long-term sustainability of projects, and to strengthen local agencies and community organizations to carry out the objectives of this part.

(Pub. L. 93–113, title I, §101, Oct. 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 396; Pub. L. 98–288, §2, May 21, 1984, 98 Stat. 189; Pub. L. 103–82, title III, §321, Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 899; Pub. L. 111–13, title II, §2101, Apr. 21, 2009, 123 Stat. 1581.)

2009—Pub. L. 111–13 substituted in second sentence "increase opportunities for self-advancement by persons affected by such problems." for "exploit opportunities for self-advancement by persons afflicted with such problems." and in third sentence "at the local level, to support efforts by local agencies and community organizations to achieve long-term sustainability of projects, and to strengthen local agencies and community organizations to carry out the objectives of this part." for "at the local level, and to strengthen local agencies and organizations to carry out the purpose of this part."

1993—Pub. L. 103–82 amended last sentence generally. Prior to amendment last sentence read as follows: "In addition the objective of this part is to generate the commitment of private sector resources and to encourage volunteer service at the local level to carry out the purposes set forth in this section."

1984—Pub. L. 98–288, in second sentence, inserted "and alleviate" after "eliminate", struck out "human, social, and environmental" after "poverty-related", inserted ", all geographical areas," after "all walks of life" and "low-income individuals," before "elderly", and inserted at end "In addition the objective of this part is to generate the commitment of private sector resources and to encourage volunteer service at the local level to carry out the purposes set forth in this section."

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–13 effective Oct. 1, 2009, see section 6101(a) of Pub. L. 111–13, set out as a note under section 4950 of this title.

Pub. L. 103–82, title III, §392, Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 917, provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle B (§§311–392) of title III of Pub. L. 103–82, enacting sections 5028, 5028a, and 5065 of this title, amending this section, sections 4952 to 4955, 4957, 4959, 4960, 4971 to 4973, 4992, 4993, 5000, 5001, 5011, 5013, 5021, 5024 to 5026, 5041 to 5044, 5055, 5057, 5062, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title, and sections 8143, 8332, 8334, 8411, and 8422 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, repealing sections 4974, 4994, 5012, 5047, 5060, and 5091 to 5091n of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4950 and 4952 of this title and section 8332 of Title 5, and amending provisions set out as notes under sections 4950 and 5001 of this title] shall become effective on October 1, 1993."