Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the National Service Congressional Caucus, released the following statement on President Biden’s nomination of Michael Smith to be Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency that oversees AmeriCorps.
“At a moment when AmeriCorps is at the frontlines of our pandemic response and recovery, Michael Smith is the right leader for this critical agency. His history of engagement and innovation in national service shows his understanding of the value of the diverse roles AmeriCorps members play in combatting hunger, expanding access to housing, supporting educators and students, and strengthening public health. AmeriCorps is experiencing a transformational moment as it expands to meet the challenges of the day, and I am excited Michael will bring his inspiring leadership to guide the program into its next chapter. I look forward to his swift confirmation.”
Senator Coons has long championed national service. Prior to coming to Congress, he helped launch and lead an AmeriCorps program with the “I Have A Dream” Foundation. Later, he served for a decade on the Delaware State Service Commission and helped create a program to recruit volunteer firefighters in his hometown. In Congress, Coons and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have built the largest bipartisan coalition in a decade for a bold expansion of AmeriCorps, with the introduction of the Cultivating Opportunity and Recovery from the Pandemic through Service (CORPS) Act.
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