SINCE 1995, more than 1,500 of our people have served in various capacities throughout the island through volunteering with AmeriCorps programs. From providing peer tutoring in math at the University of Guam to assisting with after-school activities for our youth, these members have dedicated their time to helping make Guam a better place.

Established in 1993 from legislation signed into law by President Bill Clinton, AmeriCorps has reached across 4,100-plus organizations, nationwide, and has involved more than 20,000 participants. AmeriCorps not only promotes community involvement, but also provides opportunities for college students to pursue degrees in their fields of interest.

On Guam, there are more than 200 members who currently serve at Sanctuary, Guma’ Mami, the University of Guam, and På’a Taotao Tåno’. These members provide assistance in areas of social services that usually suffer from a deficiency in manpower due to funding hurdles. For example, through AmeriCorps, Guma’ Mami has established the Warmline Program, which is a telephone service for people to call when they are in need of someone to listen. Sanctuary engages AmeriCorps members in counseling services for youth and their families. The successful results of the work produced by AmeriCorps members also comes from the trust and confidence we have in these individuals as they continue to serve and care for our loved ones.

The Guam AmeriCorps administers six program sites, employs more than 25 program and commission staff, and has recruited a couple hundred volunteers just in the past year. Because many AmeriCorps members work very closely with the youth, the elderly, or what is described as “vulnerable populations,” the Serve America Act has been updated as of 2011 to require that all volunteers submit to a federal criminal history check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Compliance is mandatory and if not met, will put all these services at risk of suspension or termination right here on Guam. In many jurisdictions, the FBI does not accept requests for clearances through just any NGO or NPO unless authorized by state statute.

I have introduced Bill 455-31, which requires the Judiciary to submit requests on behalf of all Serve Guam! Commission AmeriCorps members. This was a necessary measure that aims toward protecting and saving these valuable services that are provided to our community through the AmeriCorps programs. It will also help towards protecting those individuals being served by the AmeriCorps programs such that these criminal history checks will provide more security to the programs in general.

Bill 455-31 will also seek to protect the jobs of the staff working to keep these programs functioning for our people, further keeping people out of poverty. These programs foster exactly what is ingrained in the hearts and minds of our people: service and sacrifice for the greater good. The spirit of inayuda and providing assistance, selflessly, among our people is invaluable, and we must ensure that while we continue to encourage volunteerism, we also protect those who seek these services.