PREPARED STATEMENT OF PHILIP EDWARD WU, JR.

I served as a communications specialist in the U.S. Army for four years. I went to school on my GI Bill; but didn't finish. Two and a half years ago, I converted my life to Christianity. I now serve as a minister of the Gospel of Christ to troubled youth and homeless people in Miami. God gave me the mind and the heart to serve. Habitat for Humanity and AmeriCorps have given me the skill and expertise.

When I first joined AmeriCorps, I knew it was right. But I never imagined it would lead me to the experience I'm having. The 23 AmeriCorps Members in Miami have built 31 houses and 40 more are completely framed.

In addition to that, we provide leadership for over 1,500 student volunteers. In February, college students take their spring break to help Habitat build homes. But they would not be able to do it without AmeriCorps, because many are unskilled and those that are skilled are not familiar with the strict coding in South Miami. I'll never forget my first day on Lilliana's house, the first house I led all by myself, from dirt to finish. I became good friends with her, and with Vicki and Ruth and so many other people I've worked with in AmeriCorps. Just last week, several hundred AmeriCorps Members put all our skills together to build 10 homes in 5 days in Americus, Georgia. Seeing Isiah, my homeowner in Americus, shed tears as the walls went up reminded me of Lilliana and confirmed that what I am doing in Miami is right.

In AmeriCorps, everybody wins. I win because I get a clear and concrete skill, I get a direction and purpose, a chance to earn a living, and when I'm done serving, a chance to go to college, a hope for a better life. Habitat wins because they're getting a trained, skilled leader to help them use their volunteers better. Lilliana wins because she's getting a solid home for herself and her two kids. And the community wins because it gets closer from everybody working together.

I see AmeriCorps bridging a gap between the young people who want to be a part of this nation and contribute to society yet can't find a way to fit in and a society which is in need of skilled leadership in all areas. I can only serve in AmeriCorps for two years. But the skill and the awareness and bringing people together * I'll always keep that throughout my life.

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Describing his experience last Saturday as "the best birthday gift I have ever received, Gregory Jackson used emergency CPR to give another person the gift of life. Mr. Jackson, from southwest Philadelphia, is a member of the AmeriCorps program

at the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University and had just celebrated his birthday.

While at a restaurant near Spruce and 40th Streets, a young woman came running from the rear screaming for help. As Mr. Jackson made his way through the crowd, he could see a woman lying on the floor apparently unconscious. He found her without breath or pulse. Using the CPR he learned as part of his AmeriCorps training, Mr. Jackson acted quickly. "I just prayed that I did everything right," he said. Evidently he did, because the woman revived. When the paramedics arrived they thanked him for his good work.

AmeriCorps is the new national service program promoted by President Clinton as an opportunity for Americans to make a difference in their communities. At the Institute on Disabilities at Temple, members of the program provide personal assistance to individuals-called partners-in order to increase the independence, productivity and community integration of the partners. Members receive training and a living allowance. Upon their successful completion of a year of national service, members receive an educational award. Mr. Jackson plans to use his educational award at Temple to pursue a career in nursing or physical therapy.

LETTER FROM JIM AND JANE LIPSCOMB

NOVEMBER 30, 1994.

Dear Mr. Hampton and the entire NCCC staff. My husband and I just spent a wonderful weekend with the most remarkable young woman, one of your corps members who happens to look like our youngest daughter. What we are wondering is where are you hiding that spoiled, irresponsible, moody teenager we left with you just 2 short months ago?

The transformation of our daughter is nothing short of amazing and we can't thank you and your staff enough. Jenni was a pretty tough cookie during her junior and senior high school years. No one seemed to be able to reach her, not us as her parents, not her family or even her teachers and counselors. She seemed to be drifting through high school without any direction or motivation. Her choice of friends and activities were truly frightening.

Last year Jenni's suburban high school labeled her "at risk" to drop out of school before she graduated. With our blessing, she found another high school that she thought could help her and she transferred there. Unfortunately, she quickly began repeating the same patterns. We were desperate to find a school or program for her to prevent her from becoming a high school drop-out. All the adults who worked with her over the past several years have all noted her high level of intelligence and their frustration at trying to "reach her." Discovering the possibilities of the NCCC seemed an answer to our and her prayers. Receiving the letter of acceptance into the NCCC will be a day elation we won't soon forget.

As Jenni saw her old high school friends returning to school this fall, I know she began to doubt herself and the NCCC. We too, wondered just exactly what the program would be all about and if Jenni could "make it". The afternoon we helped to move her into the dorm we were all in turmoil. Jenni was scared, Jim and I wondered if we had made a mistake by encouraging her not to return to high school and enter your program instead.

It has been a shaky 2 months for Jen. She has never been totally responsible for herself or even managed a checking account before. Beginning to learn how to be tolerant of people who are different, how to live in such close quarters, how to face disappointment, how to disappointment, how to take not only direction but orders too from kids that are just a few years older than herself and experiencing pride in a job well done has stretched her and matured her in a way we could have never anticipated. It has been years since we last saw her this enthusiastic and excited about anything. As her parents, we are thrilled with the person she is becoming and know that the NCCC is a big part of that maturity.

So I guess, what we want to convey to you and your staff, is that if you sometimes question your mission in providing opportunity to the corps members, please be assured that for at least our daughter, you have made an incredible difference. Words can't say how grateful we are. Jenni still has much to learn and experience, but seeing what has taken place in just 2 short months, we have every confidence that she will continue to grow within your program. Thank you again.

Sincere regards from two very grateful parents,

JIM AND JANE LIPSCOMB.

ATTACHMENT No. 3

[From the New Hampshire Weekly, Nov. 20, 1994]

AMERICORPS WORKER MAKES A DIFFERENCE

It's 8:30 a.m. and Nashua District Court is teeming with people who look like they just walked out of a Tom Waits song.

A handcuffed man with no shoelaces and dried blood on his face is led into Courtroom 1. A woman with black heels, a long black trench coat and a very, very short skirt roams the building. Lawyers wearing expensive ties and too much gel strut with exaggerated purpose.

Before the clock has a chance to strike 9, two women have already showed up to fill out petitions for temporary restraining orders against the husbands or boyfriends. To greet them at the door is a 22-year-old woman who, unbeknownst to them, is about to make their day in court a whole lot easier.

Debbie is an AmeriCorps worker. She is stationed in Nashua District Court for the next 10 months to help women-and a few men-through the labyrinthine process of securing restraining orders against abusive partners.

She explains the legal process, answers questions, helps with paperwork, appears with victims before the judge. She is present at final hearings and is armed with a list of referrals for everything from food stamps to free health care and pro bono divorce lawyers.

Debbie, who uses just her first name for safety, has given a year of her life to public service. Through the AmeriCorps program, started by President Clinton last year, this aspiring law student will receive an educational stipened—and a priceless courthouse education.

The state AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program has 30 workers stationed in district courts, prosecutor's offices and crisis centers. Nearly 200 more AmeriCorps workers take part in education and environmental programs in New Hampshire. Debbie is tall and blonde and well-spoken, a self-described "idealist." She contradicts every Generation X stereotype.

"I think I can get a lot accomplished by being idealistic," she says.

This morning at the courthouse, she is wasting no time. The two women who arrived before 9 looking tense and scared are relieved when she appears at their side to explain the process and help with the paperwork.

While Debbie waits for court to be called into session, she stands in the corner of the lobby with "Louise." Louise's troubles pour out like a waterfall-the history of abusive relationships, her husband's violent outbursts, the stalking, the struggle to care for her young child.

Debbie hears her out. Then she says, "But look how far you've come. You got out.” Louise hadn't really looked at it that way. She brightens a bit. When it is time to go before the judge, Debbie walks alongside Louise down the center court aisle.

The temporary order is issued. When she leaves the courtroom, Louise thanks God out loud that she didn't have to go before the judge alone.

AmeriCorps was a natural for Debbie. A New Hampshire native, she graduated last spring from UNH with a major in political science and minors in women's studies and justice studies. In college, she worked as a rape crisis counselor. In law, she wants to specialize in women's issues. She considered joining the Peace Corps, but decided AmeriCorps was better for her.

"I think the Peace Corps is great, but I think the United States has a lot of problems that it has to deal with. And I think domestic violence is a major problem on the agenda," she says.

Proof of that enters the courthouse in a steady stream. Shortly after 10 a.m., a woman Debbie helped last week rushes in. When Debbie last saw "Amy," her face was so black and blue that Debbie could not recognize her from her driver's license picture. Now Amy wants the restraining order against her boyfriend dropped. Debbie asks why.

"I love him and I want to get married."

Debbie and Amy confer in hushed tones. Amy says she provoked the beating. Debbie tries, to no avail, to convince Amy that it was not her fault. She tells Amy that she can come back and get another order if she wants to, and gives her referrals to social service agencies. Then she watches Amy walk out the door.

"I'm really upset right now," Debbie says, sitting down on a court bench. Amy will probably land back in court or in the back of an ambulance.

But when "Jill" walks into the courthouse, Debbie's upset momentarily vanishes. Jill had been in a violent relationship, dependent and down and out. Debbie helped her get a restraining order. Jill got out of the relationship, got a job, got herself some new clothes and came back to Debbie to say thanks.