Obama signs National Service bill

2009 — Legislation written by Reps. George Miller and Carolyn McCarthy and Sens. Ted Kennedy and Orin Hatch to expand National Service opportunities was signed into law today by President Obama. According to one national newspaper, the Christian Science Monitor (April 21, 2009), the legislation is a good example of Congress acting quickly and in a bi-partisan manner on an important issue. “Melody Barnes, director of the White House’s Domestic Policy Council, noted to reporters that the legislation made its way through Congress in speedy fashion. The president called for the legislation in his address to a joint session of Congress on Feb. 24, and Rep. George Miller (D) of California, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, introduced legislation on March 8. By the last day in March, both houses of Congress had passed the final version of the bill. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah was a key Republican in the bipartisan effort.”