(Washington, DC) - Congressman Baron Hill will participate in the bill signing ceremony this afternoon for H.R. 1388, legislation expanding and enhancing national service opportunities.  Hill successfully secured an amendment to H.R. 1388, which ensures that sending care packages to members of the Armed Forces deployed in combat zones overseas is also included as an eligible national services program. 

“This legislative idea was proposed to me by a constituent – Indiana University Professor Catherine Dalton,” Hill said.  “She told me of her involvement with a program that sends care packages to non-relative soldiers overseas, but she also told me of the high cost she incurs for such an important activity.  I turned her comments into a legislative package that I introduced last Congress and reintroduced just recently – the Homefront Heroes Tax Relief Act.  And, I saw a way to insert some of that language into H.R. 1388.  Any opportunity to reinforce support for our troops is an opportunity worth taking.”

H.R. 1388 creates 175,000 new volunteer opportunities for Americans of all ages to help meet our nation’s pressing challenges.  The bill breaks down volunteer opportunities into four new service corps: a Clean Energy Corps to increase energy efficiency and conservation, an Education Corps to help increase student engagement, achievement and graduation, a Health Futures Corps to help improve health care access, and a Veterans Service Corps to enhance services for veterans.  Hill’s amendment is included in the Veterans Service Corps section.

“I’m honored to be asked to participate in this event,” Hill said.  “And, I’d like to thank Professor Dalton with sharing her concerns with me and being an integral part of this legislative process.”

The signing ceremony will take place this afternoon at the SEED school of Washington.