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National Service Articles [1]
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66
2
7
3
Index of Eli's Radio Interviews
Market
Date
Station
Length
Live/Taped?
National
5/5
National Talk 5 min.
Tape
Show Countdown
3/?
NPR
1 hour
Live
- "Talk of the Nation"
5/15
Larry King
1 hour
Live
- Bob Beckel hosted
Boston
5/4
WBZ
10 min.
Live
5/18
WHDH
10 min.
Tape
5/18
WRKO
10 min.
Tape
Columbus
5/4
WTVN
10 min.
Live
Dallas
5/5
KRLD
10 min.
Live
Detroit
4/1
WDET
15 min.
Tape
- NPR station
4/2
WJR
5 min.
Live
- The JP McCarthy Show
5/5
WWJ
10 min.
Tape
L.A.
5/5
KNX
10 min.
Live
5/6
KABC
10 min.
Live
- Michael Jackson Show
Minneapolis
5/5
WCCO
5 min.
Live
New York
5/4
WABC
10 min.
Live
5/4
WCBS
10 min.
Live
Philadelphia
5/4
WWDB
10 min.
Live
- Paul W. Smith Show
Seattle
5/5
KING
10 min.
Live
Washington, DC
5/5
WTOP
5 min.
Tape
NATIONAL SERVICE: ROOTS AND FLOWERS
Dr. Roger Landrum
Executive Director, Youth Service America
Developed from a Presentation to Subtitle C and D Grantees
of the Commission on National and Community Service,
August 1992
National Service in America:
A Timeline
Dr. Roger Landrum
1910 *
William James, American philosopher, envisions nonmilitary
National Service in his essay, "The Moral Equivalent of War."
1932 *
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, at the Democratic National
Convention, proposes a national civilian reforestation plan.
1933-42
FDR's vision becomes the Civilian Conservation Corps and over
3 million young men serve terms of 6-18 months before the
program is ended.
1961
President John F. Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps as a new
form of National Service.
1964
President Lyndon Baines Johnson's "War on Poverty" creates
VISTA, a National Teacher Corps, the Job Corps, and University
Year of Action. These programs fade as the Vietnam war
dominates the national agenda.
1969-80
Numerous legislative proposals to create a federal National
Service program are unsuccessful.
1970
Youth Conservation Corps employs 38,000 young people (ages
14-18) for summer environmental programs.
1976
California Conservation Corps established by Governor Jerry
Brown as first nonfederal state youth corps.
1978
The Young Adult Conservation Corps (ages 16-23) creates small
conservation corps in the states with 22,500 employees. Potomac
Institute establishes Committee for the Study of National
Service with Ford Foundation grant and issues Youth and the
Needs of the Nation..
1982
President Ronald Reagan's Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
eliminates federal funding for conservation corps. In High
School, Ernie Boyer calls for all high school students to
participate in community service.
1984
American Conservation Corps Act passed by Congress but pocket
vetoed by President Reagan.
1984-86
*
Grassroots efforts launch nongovernmental National Service
strategies and model programs:
Campus Outreach Opportunity League (1984) and Campus
Compact (1985) created to mobilize service programs in higher
education.
National Association of Service and Conservation Corps
(NASCC) established (1985) to network and replicate youth
corps in states and cities.
K-12 programs ("service learning") begin spreading in schools.
Youth Service America established (1985) to bring together the
diverse "streams of service" into the Youth Service
Movement.
Ford and Mott Foundations become major funders of the field.
1989-90
President George Bush creates Office of National Service in the
White House and Points of Light Foundation to foster
volunteerism. W.K. Kellogg and DeWitt Wallace-Reader's
Digest Foundations become major funders of youth service
movement.
1990
The Youth Service Movement gains a federal partner as
Congress passes the National and Community Service Act of
1990, grants program for the "streams of service" at state and
local levels.
1993
President Bill Clinton creates a National Service Trust Fund.
*
Three landmarks in National Service history.
The origins of the ideal of National Service are obscure in the mists of
history. In Sparta and Athens, military service by citizens was in full flower.
National Service is an old tradition in many European democracies, designed
for protection against military dictatorships. Volunteer militia were a
decisive force of the American Revolution. In retirement at Monticello,
Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter to John Adams, "A debt of service is due
from every man to his country proportioned to the bounties which nature
and fortune have measured to him."
Evolving from truly ancient roots, the ideal of National Service has
progressed in American society with three leaps of the imagination. This
brief history identifies these breakthroughs and sketches the path through
which a grassroots youth service movement was organized by the
independent sector during the 1980s. During this period, the field grew from
scattered social entrepreneurs and diverse local program models into a
growing national force, redefining the old national service ideal and moving
it high on the American agenda.
1. The National Service Ideal
It is not entirely clear whether Jefferson's "debt of service" referred
strictly to military service or more broadly suggested other kinds of public
service. The ideal of nonmilitary, domestic National Service is usually traced
to a 1910 essay by the great American philosopher William James entitled
"The Moral Equivalent of War."1 This brilliant essay was written by James
during the last year of his life from notes on an earlier speech delivered at
Stanford University. It reviewed the militaristic tradition in western
civilization with grudging admiration for the power of war to inspire and
unite a people, and proposed an alternative scheme to ignite civic passion.
Late in his essay, James wrote:
If now -- and this is my idea -- there were, instead of military
conscription, a conscription of the whole youthful population to
form for a certain number of years a part of the army enlisted against
Nature, the injustice would tend to be evened out and numerous
other goods to the Commonwealth would follow. The military
ideals of hardihood and discipline would be wrought into the
1
growing fiber of the people; no one would remain blind, as the
luxurious classes now are blind, to man's real reiations to the globe
he lives on
The social context of this essay, near the turn of the century, was far
different from what we know in the country today. The infrastructure of
mass education at the high school and collegiate levels was just beginning to
be built. Industrialization of the nation was far from completed. The tasks
outlined by James for the focus of nonmilitary National Service seem quaint
today, but the vision remains vivid:
To coal and iron mines, to freight trains, to fishing fleets in
December, to dish washing, clothes-washing and window-washing,
to road-building and tunnel-making, foundries and stoke holes, and
to the frames of skyscrapers would our guilded youths be drafted off,
according to their choice, to get the childishness knocked out of
them, to come back into society with healthier sympathies and
soberer ideas
Such a conscription, with the state of public
opinion that would have required it, would preserve in the midst of
a pacific civilization the manly virtues which the military party is so
afraid of seeing disappear in peace. We would get toughness
without callousness, authority with as little criminal cruelty as
possible, and painful work done cheerily because the duty is
temporary
Here at least men are not flung out of employment to
degenerate because there is no immediate work for them to do.
They are fed and drilled and trained for better services. Here at least
a man is supposed to win a promotion by self-forgetfulness and not
by self-seeking
It is only a question of blowing on the spark until
the whole population gets incandescent, and on the ruins of the old
morals of military honor, a stable system of morals of civic honor
builds itself up. What the whole community comes to believe in
grasps the individual as in a vice.
We know very little about what kind of debate followed this proposal,
if indeed there was much debate. The country soon entered a period of
extreme turbulence with the coming of World War I and the Great
Depression.
The Jamesian ideal continued to be the subject of much intellectual
discussion, with National Service usually envisioned as a new rite of passage
for young people -- an intense, arduous, collective journey through conscious
acts of citizenship into adulthood.
2
Among the most eloquent contemporary proponents of National
Service is Eddie Williams, President of the Joint Center for Political and
Economic Studies. Williams speaks about certain persistent problems of
American democracy which can only be solved through the concentrated
efforts of generation after generation. He has described National Service as a
way of immersing each generation into a hands-on understanding of
intractable social problems -- such as poverty and racism -- and a lifelong
ethic of service to solving them. Williams points out that universal National
Service would be an arrangement through which everyone, rich or poor,
serves on equal terms.²
Anthropologist Margaret Mead also endorsed National Service. For
Mead, it could be a way of liberating individuals from the restrictions of their
class backgrounds, mixing all together for a period of time on common tasks.
Mead considered service corps an especially valuable opportunity for young
women of working class backgrounds who are otherwise prematurely
confined to limited roles, including early childbearing, with little opportunity
for wider choices during their passage into adult lives. 3
Conservative thinker William F. Buckley, Jr. strongly endorses
universal National Service in his 1990 book, Gratitude: Reflections On What
We Owe To Our Country. Buckley argues that tangible acts of community
service would enable young people to acknowledge the debt they owe to
earlier generations which built the commonwealth they enjoy. For Buckley,
National Service is our debt to our patrimony.4
Paul Tsongas, who served in the Peace Corps before entering the U.S.
Senate, has observed that Americans are entering an era of supreme
challenges to our national eminence in the world. Meeting these challenges
in a world economy, Tsongas argues, will require a greater sense of common
purpose than American have shared in recent decades. Tsongas believes that
National Service can be the training grounds for meeting these challenges, E
Pluribus Unum. 5
The articulation of an ideal of nonmilitary National Service was the
initial breakthrough. And whenever the case for National Service has been
argued, from James through the 1980s, there is always a duality of terms: a rite
of passage for young people into civic values and the undertaking of great
tasks related to national purpose. But the statement of an ideal is a long ways
from the creation of policy and program.
3
II. The First Experiments
The first large-scale national experiment to translate the Jamesian ideal
into an operational program incubated with a college undergraduate. It is
said that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a student at Harvard while William
James was on the faculty, became interested in the concept of a "moral
equivalent of war." As governor of New York, Roosevelt recruited 10,000
men from the state's unemployment lists into reforestation projects with
impressive results.
Later, accepting the presidential nomination at the 1932 Democratic
Convention, Roosevelt proposed
a wide plan for the converting of many
million of acres of marginal and unused land into timberland through
reforestation, for the purpose of giving employment to a large number of
men."
In March of 1933, as President, Roosevelt submitted his Civilian
Conservation Corps plan to Congress with these words: "
more important
than the material gains will be the moral and spiritual value of such work."
The CCC unfolded in three legislative stages between 1933 and 1942. It
began with the Emergency Conservation Act of 1933, providing for
enrollment of 250,000 young men between the ages of 18 and 25. They could
be supplemented by 32,250 local men over the age of 25, 25,000 war veterans,
and 3,000 Native Americans. Corpsmembers were selected by state directors
of the Department of Labor, trained by the Army in units of 200, placed in
residential camps and supervised in crews by the Departments of Interior and
Agriculture. Initially, enrollment was restricted to young men from families
on relief (from wages of $30 each month, $22 were to be sent home to
families). Placement was limited to home states. With the rapid growth of
the program, both restrictions were soon abandoned.
With the second stage, in 1937 the CCC became an independent
government agency, opened to young men outside families on relief and
augmented with educational and vocational training. In a third stage, with
war on the horizon, military training was added in 1939. Congress
terminated the CCC in 1942 in favor of a military draft (James must have
rolled over in his grave). 6
4
The Civilian Conservation Corps has become a genuine American
legend. Four million corpsmembers served between 1933 and 1942, reaching
a peak of 500,000 in 1937. Terms were 6, 12, or 18 months. Contrary to
popular image, the CCC was not entirely white. In 1937, nine percent of
corpsmembers were Afro-Americans, serving in segregated units. The total
cost to taxpayers of the CCC was $2.8 billion. Amazingly, the program was
once four percent of the federal budget. It was a hugely popular program. A
1936 poll reported 82% of Americans in support of the CCC -- 92% of
Democrats and 67% of Republicans.
Today, we look back on the CCC as an almost effortless success, but its
implementation was not without problems. One highly publicized scandal in
Lexington, Indiana involved prosecution of a camp director for including
liquor and prostitutes among camp provisions for corpsmembers. There
were some riots. In Virginia a group of new recruits rebelled when an
unexpected snowstorm descended upon their unheated barracks.
Investigators looking into a Yellowstone camp riot reported, "the only thing
we could get out of those boys was they just could not stand the quiet nights
and the coyotes howling." Many reports on camp troubles fingered "the
mixing of city and country boys."
But the achievements of the CCC were truly monumental.
Corpsmembers reforested two million acres of land. Four million acres of
farm land received erosion prevention measures. A total of 3,470 fire towers
were constructed; 114,000 roads and truck trails; 37,000 vehicle bridges; 7,000
foot and horse bridges. The eventual value of reforestation alone exceeded
the cost of the entire program.
What You Can Do For Your Country
After World War II and the G.I. Bill, deep into the Cold War, national
service programming resurfaced with the Presidency of John F. Kennedy,
who summoned citizens to "Ask not what your country can do for you, but
what you can do for your country." Kennedy obtained passage of the 1961
Peace Corps Act, sending young Americans into volunteer service for
developing nations of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Peace Corps has
always remained a relatively small program, peaking with 15,000 volunteers
in 1967, more generally with about 6,000 in service overseas annually. The
remarkable qualities of the Peace Corps, as a federally-administered National
5
Service program, are its longevity, the scope of its bipartisan support, and the
distinction of its achievements. Over 30 years, some 150,000 Americans have
served in the Peace Corps, mostly young people.⁷
Beyond the Peace Corps, Kennedy appointed a cabinet-level group to
look into the possibilities for a domestic national service. In 1963, this effort
resulted in a Bill to Strengthen Community Service Programs in the U.S.
Several Kennedy cabinet members, including Defense Secretary Robert
MacNamara and Labor Secretary Williard Wirtz, advocated a large-scale
domestic National Service, but the legislation opted for a small "domestic
Peace Corps" of 5,000. With Kennedy facing strong partisan opposition, the
turmoil of the civil rights revolution, and then the President's assassination,
the bill never made it out of committee.
As part of President Lyndon Baines Johnson's "War on Poverty," the
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created VISTA, a National Teacher Corps,
and a Neighborhood Youth Corps. These federal programs were never large
scale and gradually decayed with the country's preoccupation with the Civil
Rights Revolution and Vietnam. Parallel to the federal service initiatives, as
an informal citizen corps, many thousands of young people served outside
government as volunteers in the civil rights struggle and other causes.
The Period of Advocacy
The national service idea survived for 20 years through scattered
legislative and advocacy efforts. National Service bills were introduced in
1969 (Hatfield), 1970 (Bingham), 1979 (McCloskey, Cavanaugh), 1984
(Moynihan), 1985 (Dodd), 1989 (Bumper, Dodd, Graham, Kennedy, Mikulski,
Nunn, Pell). Only the American Conservation Corps Act of 1984 passed
Congress. It was pocket vetoed by President Reagan.
Two federal national youth service experiments did flourish briefly
during these years. In 1970, Congress legislated a Youth Conservation Corps
(YCC) as an eight-week summer employment program. After three pilot
years it expanded into a larger program of environmental work by 34,000
young people ages 15-18 at an annual cost of $60 million. Diverse groups of
teenagers served in U.S. Forest, Park, Fish and Wildlife services. YCC was
folded into the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) of
1974. By most reports YCC was popular among its participants and did
valuable work.
6
In 1978, a Young Adult Conservation Corps (YACC) became part of
CETA, enrolling 25,000 unemployed 16-23 year olds. YACC created small
state-operated conservation corps. One of these programs, the California
Conservation Corps, shaped by Governor Jerry Brown and a tough Vietnam
Marine veteran named B.T. Collins, was later to become the seminal model
for a new group of non-federal corps.
YACC was eliminated in 1982 by the Reagan-era Job Training
Partnership Act (JTPA), which contained no provision for national
conservation corps service. YCC survives today only in remnant form with
roughly 2,000 enrolled. 8
The late 60's and 1970's were essentially advocacy periods for large-scale
national service. The 1969, 1970 and 1979 bills were influenced by the dogged
advocacy of Donald Eberly, who organized conferences and wrote position
papers on the subject. 9 In 1979, an independent Committee for the Study of
National Service was sponsored by the Potomac Institute with funding from
the Ford Foundation and led by Senator Harris Wofford, then president of
Bryn Mawr College. This group generated national attention with a report
entitled Youth and the Needs of the Nation, which offered guidelines for a
large-scale, government-supported system of voluntary National Service. 10
The federal programming experiments are the second great landmark
in the modern history of National Service. Through these programs, the
ideal has been given tangible expression. But it is equally true that, with the
exception of the Peace Corps, the federal programs have lacked sustainability.
They did not become rooted in American society or establish an enduring
political mandate.
III. The Youth Service Movement
During all these years from the James essay through the Potomac
Institute report, another youth service tradition, outside government and less
visible nationally, was taking shape. Out of this largely unreported tradition,
and from the remnants of federal programs such as the Young Adult
Conservation Corps, a new national service paradigm began to take shape in
the 1980s.
Since the formation of the United States, two great institutions of
citizen participation have thrived. One is government at the federal, state
7
and local levels. The other, equally vital to American democracy, has come to
be called the voluntary or the independent sector. It is far more extensive,
open-ended, and innovative than government.
In 1831-32, a French nobleman wandered across America to witness
new forms of democracy in action. Alexis de Tocqueville later reported his
observations in a classic book, Democracy in America. Tocqueville wrote:
Americans of all ages, all stations of life, and all types of disposition
are forever forming associations. There are not only commercial
and industrial associations in which all take part, but others of a
thousand different types -- religious, moral, serious, futile, very
general and very limited, immeasurably large and very minute
In every case, at the head of any new undertaking, where in France
you would find the government or in England some territorial
magnate, in the United States you are sure to find an association. 11
Youth service programs have flourished in America's independent
sector for decades. Many Quaker and Catholic schools have pioneered youth
service programs, legislated by their mission statements and charters. To a
lesser extent, youth service programs also emerged in public schools, often
through the leadership of a single inspired teacher or a group of active
students.
Collegiate youth service programs are another part of national
tradition, from Phillips Brooks House and Dwight Hall at Harvard and Yale
to Stanford's Center for Public Service. The Center for Social Concerns at the
University of Notre Dame, patiently build over many years by President
Theodore Hesburgh, has involved a majority of Notre Dame students in
community and national service projects.
Hundreds of additional local youth service programs and projects have
flourished through the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, churches, and
community based organizations. There is the Mormon Mission and the
Jesuit Volunteer Corps. There have been Teachers for East Africa, The
Teachers, Inc., and more recently, Teach for America. Sororities at historically
black colleges have a distinguished record of community service.
During the early 1980s, a handful of national service advocates who
had given up on the concept of a federally-funded and federally-driven
program adopted a new strategy. They set a goal of creating a system of
8
national youth service from the bottom up by building upon local, mostly
nongovernmental programming models. Several national leadership
organizations were established to undertake the task, supported by major
foundations. This effort, rapidly evolving into a "youth service movement,"
was to profoundly alter the context of the national service debate.
The Youth Corps Stream
Remnants of YACC programming survived in California, Ohio,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Washington and several other states,
most led by citizen councils and funded by state legislatures unwilling to
abandon these programs. The seminal nonfederal youth corps, the California
Conservation Corps, created in 1976 by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown,
grew into a vigorous state agency in the early 1980's under a Republican
governor. 12 The first urban conservation corps models were formed in New
York City, San Francisco, and East Bay in 1983-84, later proliferating in other
cities. The much publicized City Year program in Boston ("in the spirit of an
urban Peace Corps") evolved from these models. Most of these programs
were led by highly entrepreneurial independent sector leaders.
Under sponsorship of the Human Environment Center, these state-wide
programs banded together as a National Association of Service and
Conservation Corps (NASCC), whose initial mission was to devise survival
and expansion strategies. A set of national corps replication projects also took
shape, fueled with major foundation support, including the Youth Volunteer
Corps of America, the Urban Corps Expansion Project, and YouthBuild USA.
Today the NASCC national program network numbers more than 75 youth
corps. This network inspired Subtitle C of the federal National and
Community Service Act of 1990.
The Collegiate Stream
At the collegiate level, two national non-profits, Campus Compact and
Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL), led a systematic expansion of
local youth service programming. The Compact was organized by a group of
higher education leaders into an expanding association of college and
university presidents committed to twin goals: creating or upgrading student
community service operations on their respective campuses and national
policy advocacy for youth service. The spirit of the Compact was captured by
9
Howard Swearer, a founder of the association and president of Brown
University, at a 1988 leadership conference:
For many years we talked about a national service program at the
federal level, but we forgot to remember that a national program is
not the same thing as a federal program. In the last three or four
years it has been most gratifying to see what's happening at the
grassroots level. We really have a national program, but it's
happening where it ought to happen -- at the state level, the city
level, the community level -- and not adding just another federal
program. 13
Compact enlisted more than 200 presidents in its mission and has fostered a
layer of state Campus Compacts. The involvement of high education leaders
brought valuable visibility to youth service and programming weight at
many colleges and universities.
During the same period, COOL evolved as a youth-led organization
mobilizing student service initiatives. Among other initiatives, COOL
lobbied for "green deans", recent graduates funded to coordinate student
service activities on specific campuses. Together, Compact and COOL have
engaged over 800 campuses and hundreds of thousands of students in a wide
variety of community service projects. The two organizations pressed for a
closer integration between the curricula of campuses and community service
projects. The programming innovations of Compact and COOL and their
associated campuses became the policy basis for Subtitle B2 of the National
and Community Service Act of 1990. The community service program
director at Stanford University, Catherine Milton, became executive director
of the National Commission established to administer the Act.
The national scope of campus community service programming and
its impact upon students and communities has not been thoroughly
documented, but this "stream" of youth service has become a pillar of the
youth service movement and some of the young people involved are
exploring careers in the broader youth service network.
The School Stream
The high school and junior high stream of youth service programming
over the last decade is a more muddled picture, in part because the field is so
10
vast. In their 1985 book, National Service, Richard Danzig and Peter Szanton
suggest that the country's high schools possess the greatest potential for
making national youth service universal. 14 According to surveys, a majority
of private religious and independent secondary schools operate organized
community service programs, some compulsory, some of high quality.
During recent years, more and more public schools have also launched
programs. The Atlanta and Detroit school systems, and one state, Maryland,
have made community service a graduation requirement.
The national clarion call for service programs as an integral dimension
of secondary education came in the form of a chapter in Ernest Boyer's
influential 1982 book, High School. 15 Boyer proposed a new "Carnegie Unit"
for each school, a credit-bearing service experience within the formal
curriculum. No national nonprofit such as NASCC or Campus Compact
emerged to lead a campaign for school-based service, but several state and
regional organizations became influential players. The Los Angeles based
Constitutional Rights Foundation, with Ford Foundation support, created
programs in that city's Unified School District and disseminated guidebooks
nationally. The Thomas Jefferson Forum organized programs first in Boston
area secondary schools and then throughout the state. The National Youth
Leadership Council seeded programs throughout its home state of Minnesota
and began conducting teacher-training workshops nationally. With the
leadership of Jim Kielsmeier, NYLC has also brought substantial momentum
to efforts to develop a service-learning strategy to penetrate the school
curriculum nationwide. PennSERVE and SerVermont works on the schools
of their respective states.
Not all youth service programs engaging precollegiate students are
school based. A full-time summer service corps for high school students
piloted in Kansas City evolved into a national replication project called the
Youth Volunteer Corps of America, with programs in a dozen sites. Another
set of pilot programs for younger teenagers, called Youth As Resources, is
sponsored by the National Crime Prevention Council.
These efforts have been in the spirit admired by Tocqueville, and
through the school-linked programs hundreds of thousands of students have
made the rite of passage into the ethic of service. This programming stream
became the policy basis for Subtitle B1 of the National and Community
Service Act.
11
Unifying the Streams
In 1985-86, Youth Service America was established to work with leaders
of the disparate youth service streams to develop strategies and projects
designed to create a more unified national program and policy network. YSA
began convening the field's leaders through a series of workshops and
conferences to generate broader program and policy development goals for
the field as a whole.
In 1988, YSA organized a coalition of the field's leading organizations,
the Working Group on Youth Service Policy, to define and coordinate
national policy goals at monthly meetings. In an effort to establish a common
language and vision between the diverse branches of the field, one of the first
actions of the Working Group was to hammer out a Statement of
Principles. 16 The Working Group helped persuade the Bush Administration
to establish a White House Office of National Service and provided ONS with
the group's first position paper on January 9, 1989, Recommendations to the
President about the Youth Entering Service to America Foundation. Next,
the Working Group helped shape the framework for the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 and published Recommendations Regarding
Federal Involvement in the Field of Youth Service. The result of these efforts
was a federal partnership for the youth service field rooted in the new
paradigm.
Private foundations have played a crucial funding role for the national
youth service movement. The initial source was the Ford Foundation,
whose president, Franklin Thomas, outlined a framework for a decentralized
National Service in a 1984 speech. 17 Joined by the Charles Stuart Mott
Foundation, Ford funded the initial efforts of Youth Service America, the
Constitutional Rights Foundation, the National Association of Service and
Conservation Corps, Campus Compact, and the Campus Outreach
Opportunity League. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Dewitt Wallace-
Reader's Digest Fund later became major funders for the youth service
movement. Other foundations have played spot funding roles. Funding for
local programs has been diversified, with some state and federal funds as well
as corporate funds flowing to the full-time corps. The "new paradigm" shape
of the field -- the third breakthrough -- would not have been possible without
12
the twin ingredients of entrepreneurial leadership and responsive
foundations.
A Federal Partnership
In the late 1980's, federal initiatives brought new force to the national
youth service movement. After George Bush's election to the presidency in
1988, a White House Office of National Service was organized during the
transition period. This led to substantial "bully pulpit" support for youth
service and citizen volunteerism in general during President Bush's first
term. The Office of National Service oversaw the formation of an
independent Points of Light Foundation in 1990, essentially an advertising
effort for National Service.
In 1989, several national service bills were introduced in the Senate.
One of these bills, S.3, based on policy concepts developed within the
Democratic Leadership Council, was introduced by Senator Sam Nunn. 18
Nunn's Citizenship and National Service Act of 1989 received massive
publicity through the press and major television networks. It boldly linked
federal loan and scholarship support for higher education to a quid pro quo of
military or nonmilitary National Service. S.3 attracted a firestorm of
opposition from civil rights and higher education groups, which viewed the
bill as undermining equal education opportunity for needy students,
particularly those from minority populations. None of the 1989 bills had any
prospect of passage.
At this point in 1989, the grass roots youth service movement and
Congressional legislative draftsmanship finally began to interact in a
powerful way. The story revolves around the leadership of Senator Edward
Kennedy who suddenly stepped into the forefront of Congressional action on
national service -- especially noteworthy because of his family's heritage of
eloquent language and active leadership for National Service.
Senator Kennedy was stirred by a huge 25th anniversary celebration by
Peace Corps alumni in 1986 when he met with several hundred of the first
Peace Corps Volunteers to go overseas in 1961 and reminisced about his
brother's hopes for the Peace Corps. Kennedy was also deeply impressed by
the spirit and achievements of the City Year service corps in Boston. As
Chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Labor and Human
Resources, Kennedy vacuumed all of the Senate National Service bills into
13
the committee and, in consultation with leaders of the independent youth
service movement, hammered them into a single, new, omnibus piece of
legislation, the National and Community Service Act of 1990.
The Act reflected the "new paradigm" of a decentralized system of
diverse programs at local and state levels. It would provide grants on a
competitive basis for state plans to leverage programming and policy
developments for schools (Subtitle B1), colleges and universities (Subtitle B2),
youth service corps (Subtitle C) and a handful of National Service
demonstrations (Subtitle D). This part of the legislative draftsmanship was
relatively easy. Other parts were more challenging.
The Bush Administration was primarily interested in its own plan for
a Points of Light Foundation and was not initially friendly to youth service
corps, citing "the absurdity of paid volunteerism." But after prolonged
negotiations, President Bush agreed to the Kennedy subtitles in the
legislation, including stipended youth corps, in exchange for Kennedy
support for a healthy cut of federal funds designated for the newly-formed
Points of Light Foundation. A crucial ally in the negotiations with the White
House and Republican Senators was Senator Orin Hatch, a Utah Mormon
with a feel for the benefits of youth service rooted in the Mormon Mission
program.
Another missing piece of draftsmanship was the administrative
vehicle for the Act. How could state grants be administered to be responsive
to the diverse network of local programs and their entrepreneurial
leadership? The youth service movement recoiled from the prospect of
dealing with the large federal bureaucracies, such as the Departments of
Education or Labor, or the weak ACTION agency which had presided over the
decay of VISTA and other youth service programs. The Senate was unwilling
to contemplate an administering entity outside the federal government. The
compromise agreement was a lean National Commission, nominated by the
President and confirmed by the Senate. With this final piece in place, the
legislation passed the Senate by a strong bipartisan majority, 79 to 19.
After much coaxing, the House created a parallel bill and reached
agreement in conference with the Senate. President Bush signed the
legislation into law and, after a delay of almost a year, nominated the
Commission Members, who were quickly confirmed by the Senate. Former
Congressman Pete McCloskey was named Chairman. Now the youth service
14
movement had a federal partnership. $287 million were authorized for the
Commission over three years. The first year of funding was lost in the delay
over appointing Commission Members, but in June of 1992, the Commission
made a first round of 154 grants totalling $63 million.
National Service achieved new prominence in the 1992 presidential
campaign. President Bush had already established an Office of National
Service in the White House with an emphasis on citizen volunteerism.
Democratic candidate Bill Clinton spoke frequently about a National Service
Trust Fund linking federal higher education loans to one or two years of full-
time community service. While the details of how the Clinton plan would
be implemented were unclear during the campaign, its enactment could
clearly trigger large-scale participation by young people in full-time service
corps with funding support which might reach several billion dollars,
making it the largest federally-supported programming effort since
Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps.
Fault Lines
A "big tent" approach by the youth service movement -- incorporating
diverse programming streams and models within a common vision,
principles of best practice, and national policy objectives -- has been a
substantial success story in its formative stages. Thinly submerged
constituency and policy differences complicate the next stages of the field's
growth.
The first of these basic policy issues reaches back to James'
"conscription of the whole youthful population." Should National Service
be compulsory or voluntary? Universal service is usually thought of in
terms of federal conscription, although it would be possible for states to
impose a service requirement, as the states collectively require formal
education. Federal or state national service conscription seems highly
unlikely in the foreseeable future. The numbers generated by universal
conscription would pose large problems of effective implementation and
enforcement, not to mention taxpayer cost. It is also a politically divisive
issue.
The issue of compulsion is currently playing itself out in the high
school stream of community service programming. A number of secondary
schools, mostly private schools but also a few public schools, operate
15
compulsory service programs of high quality that are popular with students
and parents. Compulsion on a much broader scale is another matter. The
State of Maryland imposed a statewide service requirement for high school
graduation in 1992. In Pennsylvania, a service requirement in the Bethlehem
School District is being challenged in court. It remains to be seen how large-
scale secondary school service requirements turn out on an experiential level.
Will the large numbers of young people involved have experiences and
provide community services of sufficient quality to sustain the requirement?
Compulsory service at this time remains a hot issue in the field.
Another core policy issue arises in the programming stream of full-
time youth service corps. Are corps essentially citizenship service programs
or essentially employment programs for out-of-work youth? In practice,
some of the roughly 75 local and state corps currently in operation recruit
unemployed, "at risk" youth for Job training while others emphasize
"melting pot" recruitment and community service goals. Individual youth
corps tend to reflect the priorities of its management or its funders. As federal
funding flows to the corps, legislative and bureaucratic aims will have a large
impact upon the balance in the corps field between employment and
citizenship objectives.
Another basic policy issue is the participant composition of youth
corps. Should all (or most) youth corps be universal in participation, mixing
young people of diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, as suggested
by the National Service ideal described by Eddie Williams and Margaret
Mead? Or should youth corps be targeted for "those most in need," usually
meaning "at risk" minority youth, as encouraged by some foundations and
government agencies? In practice, the existing 75 corps cover the spectrum.
The privately operated City Year in Boston deliberately encompasses a rich
mix of corpsmembers, from prep school graduates to inner-city dropouts. The
New York City Volunteer Corps, publicly funded and privately operated, was
originally intended by founder Ed Koch to be a National Service
demonstration program of melting pot diversity, but has "tipped" into a
program dominantly of poor minorities. CVC still includes wide ethnic
diversity among its corpsmembers (Haitians, Hispanics, Afro-Americans,
Asians). The state-operated Pennsylvania Conservation Corps has evolved as
a program dominantly of rural, poor white youth. Some minority groups,
such as Native Americans, are seeking to create service corps within their
16
own ethnic communities. YouthBuild USA describes itself as a national
replication project for "communities of color."
Viewed as a whole, the national patchwork of youth corps is
encompassing highly diverse youth sub-populations, even though some
individual corps are essentially segregated. This violates the abstract national
service ideal, but planned variation may be the pragmatic path towards a
gradually evolving universal rite of passage which draws diverse young
people into service together. Aside from the policy debate, it is worth
remembering that some young people, as individuals, possess the self
confidence and motivation to benefit from serving side-by-side with diverse
peers. Others at this point in their lives feel more secure in less diverse
settings.
Another fundamental policy issue, approaching an ideological divide,
is whether national Service should be conceived as a volunteerism model or
a programmatic model. One side characterizes ad hoc volunteerism as a
noblesse oblige approach of the well-off helping the poor. A New Yorker
cartoon shows one socialite saying to another in a swanky club, "I remember
when only nice people did community service." Youth corps are intended to
empower young people, especially poor young people, through giving them
active and positive roles in their communities. On the other side, "paid
volunteerism" has been described as an oxymoron and youth corps as too
expensive. The Bush Administration, caught on the horns of this dilemma,
initially opposed the National and Community Service Act, but after funds
were made available for the Points of Light Foundation, went on to nominate
a strong National Commission to administer an Act which provides grants to
support some stipended youth corps.
As a purely practical matter, young people who are not materially well
off are not going to be able to serve in service corps full-time without
stipends. The school and collegiate programs generally avoid the paid
volunteerism dispute but are subject to criticism for being too ad hoc.
Effective youth service programming, including part-time volunteer
programs, requires measures of training, supervision, coordination, planning
and evaluation to reach reasonable standards of quality. All this requires
structure and staffing continuity which in turn require a reasonable budget.
Still another fundamental policy issue, especially as the field grows in
visibility and scope, is ownership of the expanding program network. With
17
increased government funding, will national youth service become in
actuality or in public perception another "big government" program, like
FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps? Or will the field remain an independent
sector network rooted in diverse local programs consistent with its evolution
over the last decade? The contemporary program network has been
extraordinarily entrepreneurial to this point, in the American tradition
admired by Tocqueville. But even the relatively modest National and
Community Service Act, which has so far reinforced the nongovernmental
program network, has created alternative governmental or shadow
government structures in the National Commission, Points of Light
Foundation, and state lead agencies. This seems to be less a partisan issue
than a habit of thinking about the federal government's role. Despite a
history of short-lived federal youth service program, proposals for federally-
administered national service programs are under discussion in Congress
which would dwarf current independent sector programming. Neither
political party has taken the independent sector ownership of the youth
service field as seriously as merited. Yet the direction of the field's growth
and its image with the American public are likely to determine the field's
longer-term viability.
Into the Future
Standing back to look at the history of the youth service field, including
the "new paradigm" created by the grass roots movement of the last decade, it
is clear that a new threshold has been reached. The intellectual ideal of
National Service, government legislative initiatives, and the entrepreneurial
efforts of independent sector organizations have come into alignment as
points of a triangle. The ideal pulls still modest levels of youth participation
towards more inclusive, more ambitious aims. The entrepreneurial ventures
are inventing a rich diversity of program models and policy frameworks
closer to local communities, the idealism of young people, and hands-on
leadership. Federal and state government involvement are bringing new
status, visibility, scope and precious funds to the field.
We cannot know what the next chapter of the history of national youth
service will bring. We do know some fundamental questions that must be
answered. How can a system of national youth service be incorporated into
American political culture in such a way that it will endure as a new rite of
18
passage? How can such a system be funded? And who will manage and own
the system?
If these questions can be answered, William James may turn out to
have been prophetic in writing, "It is only a question of blowing on the spark
till the whole population gets incandescent.
19
THENATION
National
service
now
Need for program
too great for Clinton
to allow gradualism
By Scott Shuger
f Saddam Hussein had somehow man-
=
aged to put 100,000 guns in our
schools every day, to induce 400,000
high school dropouts a year, to pro-
duce nearly 1 million teen-age parents
every year, to afflict many of their babies
with cocaine ftereffects that annually cost
$500 million to treat, and to murder more
than 20,000 Americans every year, the presi-
dent and the Congress would not appoint a
commission to produce a report: They would
not announce that the problem deserves fur-
ther study. They would declare war Yet
while all this havoc is happening here now
without Saddam Hussein, in policy circles
and in the press there has been much talk
about the need to start small and go slow on
a powerful response to it, national service.
With Bill Clinton's inaugural call for a
"season of service," the issue of national ser-
vice is now officially on the agenda. And yet
- as the country was reminded once again by
official Washington's adamant resistance to
decisive action on the Pentagon's gay ban
in the nation's capital, being on the agenda
and getting things done are two very differ
ent matters Washington splits the differ
ence whenever possible with its. knee jerk
gradualism, its belief that almost any policy
must be studied further, subjected to com-
promise and then enacted incrementally, if
at all.
Chope with all my heart that Clinton will
stand up to gradualism on national service
and instead lead the country powerfully on a
swift, bold course. My fundamental premise
is that national service does have the power
to reseed our eroding social landscape: Na
Globe
tional service needn't be picking up gum
wrappers by the side of the highway; it could
be a commitment to put the vast unused tal
ents and energies of its citizens, especially
those between 15 and 30, systematically to
work in the schools, the day-care centers,
the environmental projects, the hospitals,
the drug clinics and the nursing homes,
against the country's most pressing social
needs And if one accepts this premise about
national services 18 folly not to go big and
PHOTOCOPY
SERVICE Page 70
PRESERVATION
Scott Shuger, a Washington, Monthly
contributing-editor, has served ast a
consultant to the federal government on
national service.
priori reason why this should happen to any-
Service
one besides nonperformers. The service or-
ganization Teach For America has had no
trouble putting 1,300 new teachers into pub-
lic schools without displacing anyone; TFA
Continued from Page 67
only makes assignments to chronically un-
go fast.
filled slots. The Los Angeles police chief,
The proponents of gradualism build their
Willie B. Williams, says his city could use
case by focusing on the issues of cost, quality
1,000 more officers. The electorate turned
and worker displacement raised by large-
him down, but a national service program
scale implementation. While their concerns
that expanded enough to include a police
are right-minded in each of these areas,
corps could have produced those new offi-
their case ignores important facts and possi-
cers without costing anyone a job. And, quite
bilities.
generally, a Ford Foundation study esti-
Cost
mates that there are enough unfilled needs
in the country in such sectors as education,
The gradualist argument goes like this:
law enforcement, health care, child care and
The administrative costs required for a well-
environmental work - to busy more than 3
run service program will be great, as will the
million national service participants without
stipends and post-service benefits (such as
worker displacement.
college loan forgiveness). The annual per
At bottom, there are two reasons why
participant cost of corps programs such as
national service gradualism has gotten a
Boston's City Year or the Los Angeles Con-
hearing in Washington well beyond what it
servation Corps, is $20,000. Therefore, a na-
deserves, and they both have to do with the
tional service program of 500,000 partici-
GLOBE STAFF FILE
inordinate influence exercised there by com-
pants would cost around $10 billion annually,
too much for a deficit-ridden federal budget.
Volunteers in City Year, Boston's own service program for young adults, warm up before a serve-a-thon in October 1990.
mittees and policy analysts. For one thing,
further study is a growth industry of this
This argument oversimplifies on several
counts. First, although corps are a form of
high. Not to mention the other measurable
would come from any larger-scale national
ments) and be team-based.
crowd in a way that bold action could never
costs of criminality: the lost income and add-
effort.
Another part of the answer is to focus on
be. Yes, there is much we don't know about
service that would be important in any na-
tional program, there are many other kinds
ed welfare costs for the families of victims
Which leads to another point: It's not
something else that CETA lacked: systemat-
how best to pull off national service, but the
knowledge needed is not at the level of foot-
of service that also would be included, all of
and incarcerated perpetrators, the extra dol-
clear that all the incremental money has to
ic quality control. It's true that we don't
them cheaper and some much cheaper. For
lars spent by businesses, schools and other
come from the federal government. If busi-
know as much as we need to about what
notes and regression analyses; it is at the
instance, a national service program should
institutions in loss- and violence-prevention.
nesses and local governments enjoy the
works and what doesn't about national ser-
level of finding out how a company can best
include a vigorous school component in
Does anybody seriously think that getting
benefits of effective large-scale national ser-
vice. It was also true that in 1961 we didn't
use its van pool to take volunteers to hospi-
which college students and working profes-
an ambitious large-scale youth service
vice, they should pay their fair share for it,
know much about what worked and what
tals and schools, or figuring out which sort of
sionals periodically tutor elementary and
program going in Los Angeles would cost
and for the most part they would be willing
didn't work about going to the moon - yet
uniform an urban youth corps needs to meet
middle school children; experience suggests
anything like the $1 billion that went up in
to, because administrative and program
this was hardly seen as an argument against
the demands of climate and adolescent taste.
that as little as 1 hour a week of such tutor-
flames in the April rioting there? What's
costs are more projectable and controllable
mounting a big national effort to go there.
It's time to learn by doing.
more, if corps were given the chance to turn
than remedial costs.
The answer then and now is to be sure that
Second, the policy analysts are used to
ing can keep kids in school and substantially
improve academic performance. This
most of these at-risk youngsters into citizens
training, information-sharing and indepen-
viewing national service as just one among
program would be virtually free. And mak-
and members of the mainstream economy,
Quality
dent evaluation, all combined with a sincere
many "problems" that they study. You know,
ing whole school curricula service-oriented
they would become revenue-producing tax-
The go-slow-and-small argument con-
determination to kill off nonperforming pro-
there is the drug problem, education, AIDS
PRESERVATION
SO that millions of schoolchildren would be
payers and consumers. In other words, the
tends that more ambitious attempts will give
grams, are part of the effort.
and national service. This is a fundamen-
PHOTOCOPY
incremental cost of even expensive pro-
us schlocky service inherently. The specter
tal misunderstanding of the power and func-
doing service as a regular part of their aca-
And if the critics of big-time national ser-
demic load (doing tax returns for senior citi-
grams such as youth corps is nowhere near
is quickly raised of programs such as the
tion of national service, sort of like making a
vice are serious about quality and are not
zens as part of a math class, say, or putting
$20,000 per person.
Comprehensive Employment and Training
shopping list that says "Bread, meat, eggs
using it just as an excuse to wriggle out of
out the newsletter for a community mental
A similar point can be made about many
Act, a federal jobs program of the 1970s in
and shopping." National service is not just
the commitment, there is another quality en-
other dimensions of a truly full-scale nation-
which millions were spent with no truly mea-
another potential national priority. It is the
health center as part of a writing class) has
hancement they should adopt: Make national
been done superbly at some schools, such as
al service program: money that would be
surable long-lasting effect. The preceding
most promising way of achieving our nation-
service mandatory. Government and busi-
the Washington Elementary School in
spent under this heading is now being spent
discussion provides part of the answer here:
al priorities. The grave difficulties of drugs,
ness will be seriously engaged in winning the
Money that we are spending anyway in re-
AIDS, education, and business competitive-
Mount Vernon, Wash., for under $10,000 per
but with less effect. Some of the money now
battle for our schools and our streets if and
year per school. National service is not in-
medial efforts can be rechanneled toward
ness will be solved only by thoroughly adopt-
spent on basic military training and bases
only if the sons and daughters of the elite
herently unaffordable, because SO much of
and equipment for a Cold War-strength
boosting national service program quality.
ing the service perspective. And this justifies
are fully involved. Senators and CEOs would
making a large national service program
Army could be spent instead on training,
Also, for the most part, CETA programs
a bold and large-scale national program.
not stand for having their children doing
Boston
work is taking what we are already doing
housing and equipping youth service corps
were placements of individuals in free-stand-
In Washington, extended study and seri-
one- or two-year stints at programs that
ing organizations. Often, those individual
ousness of intent are inversely proportional.
and giving it a service twist.
members. The $28 million now spent annual-
were-shoddily run, exploitative or corrupt. If
Second, the real issue isn't how much
ly by the Selective Service system to not
placements were not monitored by anyone
When President Kennedy wanted the coun-
they didn't have the option of pulling their
have a draft could be applied easily to locat-
outside the organization, but even if they
try to get back in the space race, be didn't
kids out of service altogether, they would be
Globe
money ambitious national service would cost;
ing 18-year-olds and matching them with na-
were, the fact remained that little of the
say we would send a rocket somewhere
it's how much new money. Although youth
much more dedicated to weeding out sham
corps would not be the only sort of service
tional service slots. Money now spent by
CETA employee's time was directed toward
sometime. There was no Desert Storm sum-
service programs and improving deficient
available in a national service plan (because
community colleges teaching remedial read-
reflection on what-h or she was doing, or
mit; there was no Somalia summit. Instead,
ones.
of the full range of tasks national service
was spent among others who were service-
in all these cases, there was large-scale deci-
ing and math and by industry teaching basic
oriented. This meant that, at its best, CETA
sive action. President Clinton, if you are se-
needs to accomplish, I would say they should
work skills could be spent instead by service
Displacement
be no more than 50 percent), consider that
programs achieving more focused and long-
placements did not develop a sense of the
rious about national service, you will tell the
aforementioned estimated corps cost of
er-lasting results in the same areas, because
importance of service or teamwork. But this
Union officials and politicians fronting
wonks to step aside. Within your first hun-
doing SO would be their primary purpose.
is hardly an inherent defect; simply require
for them have supported gradualism because
dred days, I hope that you will present this
$20,000 per participant per year. Many of
the at-risk youth that corps are designed to
The federal government is currently spend-
as a condition of financing that the prepon-
they are fearful of their members losing jobs
nation with an ambitious goal something
ing around $300, million per year on such
derance of slots in national service have a
to national service participants. While it's
like 1 million people in national service by
accommodate are now ending up in the
criminal justice system: where the current
programs as VISTA and the Peace Corps
structured reflection component (such as
true that some workers will be displaced by
the end of three years Land then strive
without realizing the economies of scale that
workshops and reading and writing assign-
the growth of national service, there is no a
mightily
to
meet
it.
annual costs per participant are at least that
Still-Evolving Plan
For National Service
By Susan Page
vice either before or after they attend college.
WASHINGTON BUREAU
"The president has a few other small things on his
Washington - At the moment, the federal program
plate - like a $5 trillion economy, a $1.5 trillion bud-
is so minuscule that it commands just six staffers, but
get, an $800 billion health care system, and a bloody
President Bill Clinton already has told his speech-
mess in Bosnia," said William Galston, a top White
House domestic-policy adviser. "But the president
writer to mention it in Wednesday's address to a joint
has identified this as one of his top legislative priori-
session of Congress and his congressional lobbyists to
ties, and he's made it clear he wants this to happen
put it near the top of this year's legislative agenda.
sooner rather than later."
The National Service program - a plan to overhaul
But the plan is not without problems or opponents.
the federal guaranteed student loan system and pro-
Clinton's own budget aides are concerned about its
vide a way for young people to work off their college
cost. At a time when they are struggling to meet defi-
aid obligation through community service - is a pro-
cit-reduction targets, they are leery of a program that
posal Clinton has told friends could be as substantial
studies have estimated could cost as much as $20,000
a part of his presidential legacy as the Peace Corps
a year per student, though some advocates say the
proved to be for John F. Kennedy.
cost could be lower.
"It's small, it's entrepreneurial, it's idealistic, and
Education Secretary Richard Riley, in an interview
it goes to his roots," said Eli Segal, who served as
on NBC-TV's "One on One" program broadcast yes-
chief of staff of Clinton's presidential campaign and is
terday, said the program might have a budget of $8
now director of the Office of National Service - an
billion "more or less" by 1997. The current guaran-
office that consists in its entirety of five assistants and
teed student loan program cost $5.1 billion last year,
him. "This is something that's been close to Bill Clin-
with nearly $3 billion of it used to cover student de-
ton for a long, long time."
faults.
Under the still-evolving plan, the current student
Rep. Bill Goodling of Pennsylvania, ranking Re-
loan system might be largely scrapped in favor of a
publican on the House Education and Labor Commit-
two-pronged scheme. Students could obtain loans -
tee, questioned whether the national service scheme
perhaps directly from the government rather than
was realistic. "From a dollar-and-cents standpoint,
through banks - and pay them back after they grad-
it'll get real scrutiny," he warned.
NEWSDAY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15. 1993
uate at a pace determined by their income.
In addition, leaders of organized labor are worried
Or they could choose to devote a year OF more to
05912103
EIBEET
some form of government-approved community ser-
Please see PLAN on Page: 3
PLAN from Page 15
that the community service
volunteers - who Clinton has
suggested might work as
teachers, police officers and
nurses -- would displace per-
manent employees. Pentagon
officials fear their brightest
prospective recruits who are
thinking about entering the
military for help in getting a
college degree might choose
community service instead.
There are other questions.
"What on earth are a quar-
ter of 3 million young people
going to do?" demanded Doug
Bandow, a senior fellow at the
Cato Institute, a libertarian
think tank, and a critic of the
idea. "What kind of bureauc-
racy is going to be needed to
decide what jobs are public-
service jobs? Who's going to
decide what to do if people just
don't show up for work?
"The history of government
jobs programs is that they
don't work very well, and I
don't see any reason why this
program would work better
than any of the others." he
said.
The proposal to allow stu-
dents who have borrowed
money to repay it based on
their income also has set off
alarm bells, with some college
officials arguing that longer
repayment plans would dis-
courage students who are still
carrying debt from going on to
graduate school. And banks
are sure to oppose any plan for
the government to offer stu-
dent loans directly, although
administration and congres-
sional agencies have estimated
it would save taxpayers from
$4.8 to $6 billion over five
years in administrative costs.
But Clinton's own support
for the idea - developed by
the moderate Democratic
Leadership Council he once
headed - seems unshakeable.
He often cites national service
as a prime example of his
theme that citizenship in-
volves responsibilities as well
as rights.
"The national service pro-
gram is going to receive signifi-
cant investment," White
House Communications Direc-
tor George Stephanopoulos
said yesterday. The president
is committed to making good
on that program." But he said
the program would be "phased
in" after starting small.
If all goes well - with stu-
dents signing up. unions mol-
lified and communities enthu-
siastic - it could then expand.
Sen. Harris Wofford (D-
Pa.), a vocal proponent of na-
tional service, foresees a pro-
gram that eventually could
put a million people a year to
work. He calls it a natural pro-
gression from his days as a
Kennedy staffer helping set up
the Peace Corps.
"The logic of the Peace
Corps and the dream of the
Peace Corps was that we
would bring the idea home to
America on a big scale," he
said. "This IS a dream de-
ferred."
THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE
EDITORIAL BOARD
Peter W. Selkowe, Publisher
Kevin Giles, Editor
Ken Rogers, Metro Editor
Deneen Gilmour, State Editor
John Peterson, Night Metro Editor
OUR VIEW
College plan
might cure
country's ills
Forgive us, please.
We have stated in this space that President Clin-
ton's economic recovery plan is too fat with tax in-
creases and new programs, and too lean when it
comes to spending cuts. We still think so, especially
as it becomes apparent that another $1 trillion will
be added to the federal debt in the next four years as
things now stand.
And yet, here we are today unabashedly endorsing
one of Clinton's new spending programs - national
service.
The president has proposed a community service
program much like the Peace Corps, which began
three decades ago. The difference is that Clinton's
program would address domestic needs, and would
permit students to trade national service for future
higher education expenses.
The program is costly: Clinton estimates $9.5 bil-
lion over four years. The president hopes 100,000
young people can participate each year by 1997. For
every year of service, a student would receive two
years of college costs. Details are sketchy.
Our enthusiasm for national service rides less on
the details than on the concept. There never has
been mandatory national service for women, and
since the elimination of the draft in 1973 there has
been no national service for men, either.
There should be. For everyone. The good news is
that we no longer must send our young men involun-
tarily to fight, and die. The bad news is that young
people grow up with no perceived stake in society.
And often with no skills, no discipline, no trade and
no education.
National service could fix some of that - while
also repairing some of the ills of urban areas, rural
areas, wherever willing hands are needed.
We would be receptive to mandatory national serv-
ice. But that's something, unfortunately, we cannot
afford today, despite the benefits to the participants
and to society as a whole.
The president's voluntary plan, with its educa-
tional cost carrot, is a good first step.
Clinton offers
up student
service plan
By Dennis Kelly
USA TODAY
On the 32nd anniversary of
the creation of the Peace
Corps, President Clinton today
will detail a plan to let 100,000
to 150,000 college students pay
off their tuition through nation-
al service - working as school
tutors, health care assistants or
in a "new Police Corps."
Specifics of Clinton's plan for
national service will unfold to-
day in an address at Rutgers
University and then tonight at
11 ET/PT in a half-hour ap-
pearance on MTV, the rock
video channel whose young
viewers Clinton strongly court-
ed during the election. The
plan will:
Begin this year with an
eight-week "summer of ser-
vice." giving community ser-
vice jobs to about 1,000 "at-
risk" youth, says Catherine
Milton, the Commission on Na-
tional and Community Service.
Grow so that by 1997 at
least 100,000 young people can
pay off college by engaging in
service before or after college.
The program reportedly may
reach up to 150,000, at a cost of
$18,000 to $20,000 a student -
paying stipends as well as cred-
it toward college. Those num-
bers are still a fraction of the 5
million students a year who get
loans.
Cost $98 million in fiscal
1994. $3 billion by 1997.
"What's very exciting is that
it builds on what (programs)
are there and takes it to a
whole new level," Milton says.
Clinton's 'call to service'
$7.4 billion
plan short
on details
By Adam Nagourney
USA TODAY
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - With
much fanfare but little funding,
President Clinton on Monday
unveiled his plan to implement
his most-applauded campaign
promise: providing universal
college scholarships repaid by
public service.
Clinton cast his idea in his-
toric terms, borrowing liberal-
ly on the legacies of John F.
Kennedy's Peace Corps and
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's
Depression-era public works
projects, as he issued a distinct-
ly generational "call to ser-
vice" to students here.
"There are some among us
who do not believe that young
Americans will answer a call to
action, who believe that our
people now measure their suc-
cess merely in the accumula-
tion of material things," Clinton
said. "They believe this call to
service will go unanswered.
But I believe they are dead
wrong.
The American
dream will be kept alive if you
By Win McNamee, Reuters
PRESIDENTIAL APPLAUSE: President Clinton cheers Danyelle Marshall, a member of the New
will answer the call to service."
Jersey Youth Corps who cried while telling her story at a meeting in New Brunswick, N.J.
In the Rutgers University
speech, timed to coincide with
the 32nd anniversary of Ken-
ating a corps of public service
nedy's creation of the Peace
TRADING LOANS FOR PUBLIC WORKS
jobs without displacing munici-
Corps, Clinton described his na-
pal workers who strongly sup-
Inside President Clinton's national service proposal:
tional service plan in the same
ported him.
upbeat, broad terms that he did
WHO: 1,000 students for this summer's pilot project;
Similarly, Clinton repeatedly
in the campaign. It would. he
growing to 25,000 next year, then 100,000 in 1997. This
said the program would not
said, allow anyone to work off
year, 14 million Americans attend college. Of those, rough-
create a new bureaucracy be-
loans with public service jobs.
ly 5 million are using $5.1 billion in federal loans.
cause it would delegate a lot of
But the White House later
COST: $15 million this year, totaling $7.4 billion over the
powers to the states. "There
described the plan in more lim-
next four years if fully implemented
will be no fraud or abuse in this
ited terms.
ELIGIBLE: Students before, during after college.
program," Segal insisted.
It would be at least four
HOW: Students would trade a year of service for two
Some ed( Pators were skepti-
cal about the effort.
years until everyone who want-
years of loans. Type of service remains unknown.
ed to participate in the jobs
Bruce Johnstone, chancellor
program would have the
PAYBACK: Students could skip public service and pay
of the State University of New
chance. This assumes that
loans based on a percentage of their income. Aim: encour-
York, said the program would
100,000 students will want to
age graduates to enter lower-paying but critical profes-
not do much to help students
enroll in the plan.
sions such as teaching and public health service.
afford escalating education
"We think we'll be able to ac-
OTHER BENEFITS: Students In national service would re-
costs.
ceive small stipends, probably close to minimum wage and
"What I fear is that someone
commodate over the next four
years everyone who chooses
based on the hours spent in community service.
might think, the president
the service option," Clinton
might think, he has solved the
said. "We think we will. But we
higher-education program,"
tuition and stipends to students
dy, D-Mass., who sat behind
have to build it up a little in the
Johnstone said. "And he will
working for one or two years in
Clinton at the speech.
not have."
first year or two so we learn
public service jobs.
Rep. Bill Ford, D-Mich.,
how to do it."
But Keith Geiger, president
Under the Clinton plan, stu-
chairman of the committee
In addition, students would
of the National Education As-
dents could pay back the loans
that would review the bill, de-
then be eligible for loans that
sociation, said that even an ad-
either with the work or at low
clared that "We have an oppor-
cover only part of the cost of
dition of 100,000 public service
interest rates.
tunity to build a new domestic
their education bill.
jobs was significant. "Kids to-
Clinton's proposal also would
Peace Corps."
Eli Segal, director of the na-
day are much less into the
revamp the college loan pro-
Republicans said they were
tional service program, said no
money part of it and more
gram SO it could be repaid by a
wary about the risks of creat-
figures had been set, but sug-
into wanting a college degree
percentage of income.
ing a new big-ticket federal en-
gested that loans would be
and doing something for this
Clinton argued that would
titlement program.
close to $6,300, the average
country," he said.
encourage people to go into
But even they offered some
debt incurred by students over
low-paying public service jobs,
Said Richard Rosser, presi-
four years.
praise. Rep. Susan Molinari, R.
dent of the National Associa-
and reduce the number of peo-
An average four-year public
N.Y., said while there were po-
ple who default on loans, now
tion of Independent Colleges
tential problems, "what I think
education is now $22,000, with
and Universities: "For students
costing $4 billion a year.
he's trying to do, and I really
private education running as
all across the country, this is
The program received
much as three times that
agree with this. IS to bring back
just a net gain - no question
warm reviews from congres-
Clinton's national service
a spirit of hope."
about it."
sional leaders. "Once again, a
Clinton offered no details on
program would cost $7.4 billion
Contributing: Dennis Kelly
president is asking Americans
how he would Pulfill what has
and William M. Welch
over the heat four years. By the
in ## senething for their coun-
fourth year, that would cover
always been one of the most
try," said Sen. Edward Kenne-
difficult parts of the plan: cre-
Clinton's plan, 1A
From Boston Globe Page 6
Democrats, GOP
seek compromise
on national service
cry from Clinton's original $7.4 billion proposal. But
By John Aloysius Farrell
with a $4 trillion national debt and a pending $500
GLOBE STAFF
billion deficit reduction package, the progress made
WASHINGTON - Democratic senators led by
on such a new government program was testament
Edward M. Kennedy moved toward a compromise
to its widespread political support.
with Republican moderates on President Clinton's
Leading Republicans had labeled the legislation
national service proposal yesterday, reducing the
as another big government, tax-and-spend initiative
and threatened to kill the bill via a filibuster.
threat of a fatal GOP filibuster.
The Democrats offered to scale back the proposal
Clinton and Sen. George Mitchell, the
to a three-year plan that would cost $1.5 billion and
Democratic leader from Maine, have criticized the
allow 100,000 young Americans to help pay for their
Republicans as "obstructionists."
college educations by performing community service,
Kennedy has served as a conciliator, wooing GOP
moderates such as Sens. John Chafee of Rhode
according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Island and James Jeffords of Vermont and working
The Democrats also agreed to tax the stipends
received by wealthier participants in the plan.
closely with Sen. Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas, the
ranking Republican on Kennedy's Labor and Human
The Republicans, in turn, proposed a two-year,
Resources Committee.
$800 million plan.
The White House declared the GOP offer
Under the plan, college students could earn up to
unacceptable. The negotiators were close enough,
$10,000 in tuition assistance in return for two years
of national service. In addition, participants in the
however, that both sides agreed to postpone a
divisive cloture vote yesterday that would cut off
plan would receive up to $7,400 a year and medical
and child-care benefits.
debate on the bill.
A final settlement along such lines would be a far
From Boston Globe Page 10
Help for the hungry
allow recipients to save money for education, job
EDITORIAL
training or a home, and it would make allowances for
Three years ago, the House of Representatives
the costs of child care.
overwhelmingly approved the Mickey Leland
The bill would also include better investigative
Domestic Hunger Relief Act. It passed a similar
procedures and stiffer penalties for stores engaged
measure in 1992. But despite these symbolic
in food stamp fraud.
gestures, the nation's political leaders have not seen
Although the bill has enjoyed bipartisan support,
fit to put their money where their mouths are, or,
it may be scuttled in the current budget battle.
more specifically, to put food in the mouths of
Republican Rep. Bill Emerson of Missouri, one of
hungry Americans.
the cosponsors, has called for a delay until the
The newest version of the bill is called the
welfare system has been overhauled.
Mickey Leland Hunger Prevention Act in honor of
In the meantime, hunger has reached an all-time
the late Texas congressman and head of the Select
high. More than one in 10 Americans receives help
Committee on Hunger, who died in a plane crash in
from the food stamp program, and estimates are that
Ethiopia four years ago. The bill would bring the US
this figure includes only 60 percent of those who are
food stamp program in line with reality.
eligible.
It would ensure that food assistance is increased
America is quick to show contempt for Third
to keep pace with food prices and that provisions are
World leaders who allow their people to starve while
made for families with high housing costs. It would
they engage in political warfare. Political leaders in
encourage self-sufficiency by giving higher benefits
Washington must ensure that the same does not
to families paying or receiving child support. It
happen in their own back yard.
would authorize demonstration projects that would
TOTAL P.03
P.03
Cleveland Plain Dealer
12024566420
National service gets started in Ohio
By D.J. BURROUGH
Students will be paid minimum
In June, the 1,500 initial partici-
said. The university will place stu-
PLAIN DEALER BUFEAU
wage for the eight-week program and
pants will meet for a week of leader-
cents in jobs at about 20 community
will be provided room and meals. At
WASHINGTON
ship training and then disperse to
service organizations.
the end of the summer. participants
President Clinton's dream of a na-
the separate programs. At summers'
will each be given a $1,000 voucher
end, they will attend a "summit"
Students will tutor clementary
tional service program. where stu.
for use toward college tuition.
with Clinton to discuss Ideas for a na-
school children, give sight screen-
TO
dents get college money in exchange
The program was one of 16 chosen
tional service program.
Ings and renovate low-income hous-
for community service work, will be-
ing.
gin with a small program in Ohio and
out of more than 430 submitted by
"It will make a difference," said
selected other siles, the White House
non-profit organizations throughout
Todd Wilson. spokesman for Ohio
The Ohio Wesleyan program is the
has announced.
the ccuntry. The federal government
Wesleyan University. "It is clearly
only one selected that will house par.
plans to spend $10 million on the pi-
not a panaces. The programs will still
ticipants. Students will be trained by
Ohto Wesleyan University, a small
lot program this year and employ
need good support from the commu-
university experts and community
FROM THOMPSON, HINE AND FLORY
liberal arts school In Delaware, will
about 1,500 students. Programs will
nity. but as a begin ning Il certainly is
service advisers on helping at-risk
host a "Summer of Service" pro-
focus on helping at-risk children.
a good first step."
children: and their families.
gram, which will put 75 students,
"Summer of Service" ts Intended
Local organizations and the unl-
The program will begin the week
ages 17 to 25, into ful-time Jobs lu-
to build support and set the ground.
versity will match the nearly
of June 14. Applications can be ob.
toring inner-city youngsters In Co-
work for a yearlong program that
$300,000 the federal government is
tained from the university and will
lumbus and Delaware.
would Invoive thousands of students.
providing to the program, Wilson
be accepted for the next two weeks.
10:29
MAY-11-1993
IN THESE TIMES DECEMBER
But people immersed in citizen effor
solve local problems hope his national se
N ATIONAL SERVICE
proposal will also fund community org
ers.
In 1988 he wrote a glowing preface
book on his state's experience with VT
New VISTAs ahead?
the federally funded domestic peace C
during its first 20 years. "Contempe
Arkansas history owes much to the gre
breaking efforts of VISTA volunte
Clinton wrote of Volunteers in Servi
America, a program inspired by his
model John F. Kennedy and create
Lyndon Johnson during the War on Po
"VISTA projects relied on the hard
of people within poverty communitie
1 hough Bill Clinton cham-
demonstrated that the effective u
resources and planning would produce
tive results, but only it the people them
maintained the effort."
Clinton's appreciation for VISTA is
news. If he reinvigorates the agency as F
his national service plan, its volunteers
help energize thousands of grass-roots organization
pions national service as a
have hung on by a thread during the Reagan and
way for college graduates to
administrations. "If citizen groups depend on philant
pay back student loans, he
to fuel the grass-roots movement, we'll wait until hell I
also hopes his plan to spend
over," says Pablo Eisenberg, executive director of the
??
up to $8 billion creating
for Community Change. "To rebuild inner cities and
250,000 national service
rural areas we need strong resident involvemen
positions will spark a
Clinton, pumping money into community groups S'
stronger commitment to
can fight for their own rights is a cheap way to go."
If Clinton
community among Amer-
Since VISTA's inception in 1965, VISTA volunteer
icans young and old. rich
functioned more like community organizers than dire
reinvigorates
and poor.
vice providers-though, depending on the prevailing
VISTA as part
Invoking the legacy of
cal winds, they haven't always claimed that label.
the G.I. Bill and the Peace
early days, most volunteers were middle class and worked
of his national
Corps in a September
far from home. Then in the '70s, VISTA strived to place col-
speech, Clinton vowed to
lege-educated volunteers next to low-income volunteers
service plan,
give people from all walks
from the communities the program served, says Margery
volunteers
of life a "summons to ser-
Tabankin, VISTA director during the Carter administration.
vice and to citizenship."
During the Reagan years, middle-class volunteer
could help
"Just think of it," Clinton
dubbed outside agitators by conservatives, SO VISTA
said during a campaign stop
pation was limited to community residents. Under
energize
at the University of Notre
VISTA was allowed to once again recruit from outs
thousands of
Dame, "millions teaching
communities, but funding shortages hampered its effe
the children, policing the
VISTA's anti-poverty focus distinguishes it from
grass-roots
streets, caring for the sick,
service programs. Volunteers, who work in 764 publi
working with the elderly or
cies and non-profits in 50 states, live in poor comm
organizations.
people with disabilities,
and subsist on allowances averaging $610 a month
building homes, helping
receive health insurance, are eligible for deferral ()
children stay off drugs and
forgiveness of student loans and don t lose welfare b.
By Robin Epstein
out of gangs." All of
VISTA already receives many more request
Clinton's examples describe
prospective volunteers and sponsors than it can acc
volunteers providing direct
date with its $40 million budget. Clinton could dou
services to people in need.
number of VISTA volunteers from the current 3,50
25
IN THESE TIMES DECEMBER 14, 1992
out restructuring the agency, says
Clinton's transition team proposals
Get Your Subscriptions Here!
Tabankin, and it could easily grow
for national service and for other
Treat yourself to a one year sub, give a pal a
beyond that with additional manage-
community-based efforts.
well-deserved gift, renew your current sub
ment staff.
early, or change your address. Whatever
Some observers, however, believe
your subscription needs, this simple, little
"Most people, however, believe
VISTA's radical reputation could
form will take care of them all.
VISTA IS either dead or a credit card,"
prove a political liability. In the late
I AM:
says Mimi Mager, Tabankin's special
'60s, local officials accused VISTA
assistant during the Carter administra-
volunteers of biting the hand that fed
tion. "VISTA needs revitalized leader-
them. Recalls Wofford, "The mayors
NAME
ship. It's had none. Public awareness
and others said, 'For God's sake, the
and recruitment are essential."
VISTA Volunteers come in here and
ADDRESS
Pennsylvania Sen. Harris Wofford,
the next thing I know they've orga-
one of the nation's premier national
nized a march on city hall.'
CITY/STATE/ZIP
service experts, is likely to be one of
Others say times have changed and
MOVING: (allow 4-6 weeks for us to get
Clinton's allies on Capitol Hill.
predict nobody will hat an eyelash
our next issue to your new digs.)
Wofford. who was an adviser to
over VISTA. Because there are more
Martin Luther King and an aide to
community groups today than there
NEW ADDRESS
John F. Kennedy, helped create the
were in the '60s, local officials are
Peace Corps and organized a service
more accustomed to citizens
CITY/STATE/ZIP
corps in his home state
demands, they argue. And, they note.
Wofford envisions a national service
the word "empowerment" IS in
NEW SUBSCRIPTION. (You'll receive
plan that gives volunteers a wide vari-
vogue-even among Republicans.
your first issue in 4-6 weeks. Please check
price and terms below.)
AST1
ety of options-including existing fed-
Judy Wagner, an aide to Illinois
eral programs such as VISTA.
Sen. Paul Simon, doesn't deny VISTA
RENEW ME NOW. (We'll extend your
National service should be decentral-
current subscription for as long as you like.
volunteers make waves. "As long as
This saves you any worries about expiring
ized, should fund ideas generated by
VISTA gets community people work-
and saves us the money in sending renewal
local people. governing bodies and
ing on their own behalf, they are
notices and bills)
ART1
institutions, and should favor projects
inevitably going to bump up against
WHAT A GREAT GIFT IDEA! (Just try
that get people from different classes
someone in power," she savs. "But
and find a gift with more thought behind it.
Fill out your name above and the lucky per-
working together. Wofford believes
that would happen with or without
son's name below.)
XSTHI
that the unity between the incoming
VISTA. It's much more mainstream
Clinton administration and congres-
now."
NAME OF RECIPIENT
sional leadership bodes well for such a
Clinton acknow ledged this tension
plan.
in his preface to the book on VISTA
For those who might balk at the
in Arkansas over the past two
ADDRESS
price tag for national service, Wofford
decades. "Of course VISTA workers
is ready with both short-term and long-
were not free of controversy," he
CITY/STATE/ZIP
term economic arguments. He points
wrote. "Change in those days was
PRICE & TERMS:
to studies showing that for every dollar
often accompanied by strite. but the
One year, 26 issues. $34.95
spent, $1.80 in services is produced.
work on balance had a very positive
Six months, 13 issues: $18.95
And well-designed programs that
impact."
Institutional, One year: $59.00
require difficult work nourish qualities
As Wofford sees IT. what some
Payment enclosed
people call "service" others term
Bill me
participants need to be productive
Charge my Visa/MC
workers later.
"advocacy" or "organizing." Faced
Wofford also says national service
with volunteers engaged in confronta-
can have benefits that are not easily
tions, national service supporters may
ACCT. NO.
quantified-participants, for example,
say. "That's not what we mean.
will emerge more active politically. "A
That's politics." Wotford says. To
EXP. DATE
million young people engaged in prob-
some extent. federal legislation will
Orders being sent to Canada, add:
lems in America are going to want
set limitations on volunteers' political
$27 50 (one year) or $13.50 (SIX months)
action on those problems." he says.
participation, but he believes each
for postage.
All other foreign orders add: $41.00
To bolster chances that Clinton will
community will interpret any future
(one year) or $20.50 (six months).
strengthen VISTA as part of his nation-
law in its own way. "That's part of
MAIL TO:
IN THESE TIMES Customer Service,
al service plan. community organizers,
what's going to make this a great
1912 Debs Ave., Mt. Morris, IL 61054.
citizen advocates and people in the
adventure."
Or simply call: 1-800-827-0270.
foundation world plan to send
26
02/03/93
12:53
D202 223
CO RESEARCH DEPT
002
SOCIAL POLICY
NATIONAL SERVICE
The President's Call To Serve
Is Clear but Undefined
No one is yet sure what Clinton meant when he called
young people of the nation to a 'season of service'
Another example
W
hen Presi-
dent Clinton
would be welfare re-
stood upon
form proposels that
the marbie steps of
limit benefits and join
the Capitol and gave
VEAK
them with Job training
his inaugural address,
to help recipients move
he called out to young
away from government
Americans to give "a
subsidies and enter the
season of service"
marketplace.
But now that the
"We view this as
call has sounded,
[Clinton's] promise to
many questions re-
the American people
main: What exactly
that we will build into
did Clinton mean?
the fabric of American
Who would be eligi-
BLL GREENE/THE BOSTON GLOBE
society that service is
ble? And how will he
YouthBulld Boston participants, left,
alternate weekly between construction site
important." Segal said
pay for it?
training and classroom instruction.
Not everyone be-
On the campaign
Above, Andre Berry of City Year talks
lieves that the Clinton
trail and in his book,
with fourth-grader Daxton Briton during
philosophy is sound.
"Putting People
ILLCOMAN
recess at a school in Roxbury.
Doug Bandow, a se-
First," Clinton seid be
nior fellow at the lib-
would SCIED the existing student loan
The Philosophy
erterian Cato Institute, says national
program and establish a national ser-
Before candidate Clinton began
service in exchange for student aid
vice trust fund People who borrowed
talking about national service. former
will not eliminate the "entitlement"
money from the fund to cover the cost
President George Bush was talking
mentality - it will reinforce it.
of college or job training programs
about "points of light" Almost every
"He's doing it at both ends saying
could repay their debt either by re-
day during his four years in office.
people are entitled to college money
manding a percentage of their earn-
Bush's own national service team Is-
and to a public job," Bandow said.
ings over the years - or by serving
sued a news release touring a person
"The point is, getting a higher educs-
their communities doing work the
or organization doing good decds It
tion is in your economic interest."
country needs.
was the bully pulpit approach.
Bandow also questions whether the
Friends of Clinton say he believes
It also was based on volunteerism.
service performed by young people
this program could be the bighlight of
rather than an organized plan for serv-
will be of much value.
his presidency - the equivalent of
ing the country.
That also is a concern of people who
President John F. Hennedy's request
What Clinton has in mind is rooted
support the notion of national service.
to "ask not what your country can do
in the moderate Democratic Leader-
"We have to be careful these do not
for you; ask what you can do for your
ship Council's (DLC) notion that
become make-work projects and the
country."
Americans have to start giving before
program becomes a laughingstock,"
"The concept of service and citi-
they can get.
said Richard F. Rosser, president of the
senship can become a defining ele-
"We think national service has the
National Association of Independent
ment of his administration." said Rep.
potential to change the ethos of the
Colleges and Universities.
Dave McCurdy, D-Okla. "The chance
nation," said Will Marshall, president
And James B. Appleberry, presi-
of success in this area - as opposed to
of the Progressive Policy Institute, the
dent of the American Association of
successfully tackling health care - is
think tank arm of the DLC. "Wo want
State Colleges and Universities, warns
much greater."
to reinforce the notion that there
against too much too SOCII "If you
But the broad-brush description
really is no free lunch"
dump them all into jobs all at once, it
Clinton has given still leaves a host of
Ell Segal. assistant to the president
would probably be a disaster."
practical choices for him to make to
and director of the Office of National
put a national program in place.
Service, says national service and the
The Ground Rules
trust fund make up a perfect model for
After considering national service
By Jill Zuckman
linking responsibility and opportunity.
in the abstract, practical questions
218 - JANUARY 30, 1993
8
02/08/93
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CQ RESEARCH DEPT
003
SOCIAL POLICY
arise as to how 1: would work.
Community Service, to begin
Should the program be
Segal's Mission
funding national service mod-
mandatory, just as military
els, such as service programs
service is a requirement in Is
involving elementary and sec-
rael? The other option is to
Leading the
ondary school children; con-
make it voluntary, something
charge for national
servation and youth service
young people want to do is
service is Eli Segal.
corps. and projects to inte-
help their communities and
Clinton's chief of
grate community service into
themselves.
staff during the
college curricula and to in-
How big would the pro-
1992 campaign
volve college students in com-
gram be? Clinton could ex-
Sezal 50. is a
munity service.
pand several existing dem-
Boston business-
Congress appropriated
onstration programs. He
man who publishes
more than $150 million for
could rely on existing public
Games magazine
these projects in fiscal years
and private nonprofit groups
and sells puzzles
1992 and 1993, with grants
already performing commu-
and novelties
ranging from $7,000 to more
nity service functions Or be
through the mail
than $3.5 million
could consider of domestic
Heis alsoa "Friend
This month. in the commis-
Peace Corps-like pregram or a
of Bill" who met
ston's first report to Congress, it
civilian army of national serv-
the president in
recommended that Clinton
are
1969 during a
a MICHAEL EMENS
build on existing state and local
He also has to consider
meeting of antiwar
programs rather than create
how many people can perform
activists on Martha's Vineyard. He is a longtime politi-
another unwieldy bureaucracy
national service at one time.
cal operative who had never worked an 2 winning
The report also recommended
What inbs should they do?
campaign until Clinton's
that the service performed not
Should everyone be allowed
He became interested in the concept of national
be something already provided.
to join? O: should it be lim-
service as a freshman in college. "For me this really
That is a major concern of
ited for slow growth?
goes back to when I remember I was incredibly struck
the AFL-CIO labor federation,
And M the program is lim-
by John Kennedy's call to service," Segal says.
which has 88 amiliate unions
ited. who gets to participate?
But over the years, Segal says, be became fros-
with 14 million members.
Rich kids from the suburbs
trated that the idealism of youth in the 1960s was
"There's no sense in sup-
could edge out poor kids from
replaced by expirism ir the 1980s. He said he hopes
porting a program that hires
the inner cities. Or would
that his entrepreneurial background will help him
the sor but displaces the fa-
poor kids be forced to per-
achieve the ideals prevalent when he and Clinton
the:" said Robert McGlotten,
form community service as
were younger.
director of legislation.
their only avenue to higher
When Clinton announced Segal's appointment, he
McGlotten says the AFL-CIO
education while the well-to-
said Segal "combines superb business and manage-
is not opposed to of national
do go directly to college?
ment skills with the idealism be has brought to Dem-
service program but intends to
(Story, p. 220)
ocratic presidential campaigns for two decades. He
be very watchful" that legisla-
Finally, Clinton must de-
will make national service happen."
tion does not displace older
cide whether students should
-By Jill Zuckman
workers.
to community service imme-
But Marahail of the Pro-
diately after high school, or
gressive Policy Institute con-
after college and before enter-
tends that there is more than
ing the world of work
vice questions will be answered. He
enough real and needed work to go
William Galston, deputy assistant
said the president has nc desire to
around According to a Ford Founda-
to the president for domestic policy,
dictate exactly what is considered ser-
tion study. the potential number of
prepared an options paper for Clinton
vice. Rather. Clinton wants to encour-
jobs tops 3.5 nillion
during the transition going over many
age programs already operating at lo-
McCurdy goes even further, saying
of these issues. So far, it is unclear
cal levels Young people would collect
be believes many service jobs do not
whether Clinton has made any deci-
a government stipend or award after
compete with labor. such as jobs work-
sions on the program's structure.
completing their service. whether It is
ing on the environment, literacy train-
But his assistant Sagal, has begun
pre-college, post-college, or before or
ing, in schools and with senior citizens.
the trek to Capital Hill meeting with
after apprentionship and job training
But Rep. Bill Goodling, R-Pa.
lawmakers who will determine the fate
programs.
ranking minority member of the Edu-
of any national service legislative pro-
In terms of size. Segal said. "My
cation and Labor Committee, says be
posals. While Segal says the proposals
guess is we're not going to launch
is skeptical that anyone would evec
are or a fast legislative track in the
something extraordinarily large: we
want a service job
White House, be certions - be only
want to make sure it works."
"Who's going to complete four
has a staff of five and be does not
Over time. be said, the program
want to move too fast.
years of college and say, I want a job
could be expanded And because it
at minimum wage?'' be asks "It
"We want to get this right," he said.
would not be open-ended, it could not
sounds kind of naive B me."
be mandatory.
Local And Not Large
In 1990, Congress and Bush cre-
The Money Question
In an interview, Segal provided a
ated an independent federal agency,
Of course, no program can be de-
few clues as to how the national ser-
the Commission on National and
signed without figuring out how much
8
JANUARY 30, 1993 - 219
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CQ RESEARCH DEPT
004
SOCIAL POLICY
Serving Others — A Simple Idea.
B
OSTON - Michael Galloway
helping out in homeless shelters.
dropped out of school in the 10th
Having earned 2 General Equiva-
grade because be ras bored. He spent
lency Diploma. Galloway now plans
his time "lying, cheating and steal-
on going to coliege next year and be-
ing," with a generous dose of just
coming a mechanical engineer.
plain hanging out.
He is also on the verge of leaving 3
"Golng the wrong way seemed
homeless shelter and moving into a
like going the right way." he said,
$75 per week "Sober House," where
trying to explain the environment
drinking and drugs are probibited
where be grew up. in the bardscrab-
Recently, be took his first airplane
ble black neighborhood called
trip to Washington, where he spoke
Rozbury. "I didn't have people
to congressional aides about the pro-
to teach me which stairs to go
gram that has given him a fix on life_
up."
"It took a lot to turn around Like
Gellowey spent 1930 through 1992
that," says Galloway, crediting the
in the state prison for robbery. He
program with giving him discipline
doesn't remember what happened -
and a family of friends
be had been drinking so heavily at
the time that be blacked out.
From Brookline to Nairobi
is not a pleasant picture. It also
JLLZJOMAN
Across the channel in Irish, work-
is not the whole picture
Michael Calloway of YouthBuild Boeton
ing-class South Boston, another ser-
Today, at 21, Galloway has found
works at a rowhouse his group
vice program takes a different tack.
his staircase He is enrolled in a year-
is refurbishing to become
City Year, which Clinton end his ad-
long program called YouthBuld Bos-
a bomeless shelter.
visers have visited, aims to carry on
ton, where 42 young adults learn how
the legacy of the civil rights move-
to study and how to rebuild vacant, crumbling buildings.
ment by bringing together young people of all back.
YouthBuild Boston is but one type of program in the
grounds from liberal, upper crust Brookline to impov-
national service spectrum. one of several that Presidem
erished Roxbury for a year of service in the city.
Clinton is likely to consider as he and his advisers de-
"The civil rights movement ended discrimination to
velop a broader program fcr the nation YouthBuild is
the law but not necessarily in people's hearts or heads,"
geared toward young people from disadvantaged back-
says Michael Brown, City Year's co-director and co-
grounds who have lost their way. Most participants are
founder.
African-Americans, as are the people who run it. Some go
The 800 participants emm $100 a week from Septem-
on to college with the aid of scholarships; most aim for
ber to June for their work cleaning up playgrounds and
jobs in construction
parks. planting trees, going into schools as teachers' aides
Galloway earns 3225 every two weeks from the pro-
and running after-school programs for children, among
gram plus a $25 bonus for perfect attendance. One week
other things.
be works at 2 construction site, refurbishing a building
After grarinating from City Year, they receive a
that will someday house the homeless: the next week he
$5,000 award in the form of a college or vocational school
is in the classroom. studying math, English. history and
scholership or a savings certificate, paid out over two
science
years. The money comes from both private and public
He and others put in additional time mentoring
sources and is never easy to raise.
young children, visiting AIDS patients, tutoring and
Lloyd Dahmen, 18, grew up in Brookine, the home of
it costs and bow to pay for it.
Some on Capitol Hill would pay for
loans through the Internal Revenue
The report from the Commission
national service by scrapping the er.
Service, according to how much they
on National and Community Service
isting student loan system, which re-
earn. They say this would lower stu-
suggests that in a few years 100,000
quires huge subsidies to the banks
dect loan default costs.
young people could participate in a
that actually provide the capital to
The Higher Education amend-
nationwide service program with the
students.
ments of 1992 (PL 102-325) autho-
cost to the federal government under
Instead. advocates for change want
rized the secretary of Education to
82 billion.
to see a system of direct loans, in
conduct a direct loan demonstration
in Boston, two national service
which the federal government makes
program between July 1, 1994, and
models spend about $20.000 3 year for
the loans. leaving the banks out of the
June 30, 1998. The Clinton admiris-
every young person they supervise.
equation Some studies here indicated
tration is considering whether to
Costs include stipends, operating ex-
that that could save $1 billion to $2
speed up this program.
penses and salaries for the adult su-
billion a year.
But technically. the savings from
pervisors. At that rate, 100,000 par-
In addition, many members would
direct loans would not be allowed to
ticipants would cost $2 billion
like students to be able to repay their
pay for such discretionary spending as
220 -- JANUARY 30, 1993
CQ
02:08:93
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SOCIAL POLICY
That Is Put To Work in Boston
former Democratic presiden-
Dorothy Stoneman
tial candidate Michael S. Du-
founded the YouthBuid pro-
kakis Hamilton College in
gram in East Harlem in 1988.
New York had accepted him,
Today, there are 14
but be decided to defer school
YouthBuilds throughout the
for & year and spend the time
country, using public and pri-
at City Year. Although he had
vate money. But Stoneman
traveled widuly in Africa and
worries that potential federal
Europe, Dahmen says, he had
requirements for diversity
never ventured into Rexbury
would hurt her program
or Dorchester.
"Why bring people in who
"Ir's opening my eyes to a
are not going to stay here. not
lot of urban issues," be says.
going to make a lifelong com-
Dahmen spends his days
mitment to the community?"
with a team of 10 in City
she asks
Year's environmental divi-
While she does not oppose
sion. Their job in Jamaica
the City Year program, and
Plain, home to Caribbean im.
she thinks it could be "fun
migrants and Central Ameri-
Lloyd Dahmen, above, works at a computer with fellow
and interesting" to have white
can refugees. ts Landscaping
City Year participant Chris Erowniee.
participants, she adds "I
vacant lots. "We've planted
don't want them bumping
more trees than I can count." he says. He also has visited
young people in Rosbury and Dorchester."
an elementary school to Quincy, a white working-class
Stoneman says that this past year she had appll-
area, where he taught children about recycling
cations from close to 400 people for just 42 spots.
Although he is interested in the problems of the city,
"Inside every person who's on the wrong track is a
he still wants to study history and foreign relations in
yearning to be on the right track." she says. "People are
college. His dream is to start a City Year in Nairobi
hungry to take advantage of any opportunity to make a
better life."
Yearning To Be on the Right Track
Brown of City Year says be wants to do more than
Both City Year and YouthBuild give young people
help people raise themselves up out of a bad situation
structure in their lives and a framework for helping
He wants to break down a segregated society.
others But the mix of people accepted strictly disad-
"People went to get together, they want to get past
vantaged VB. a variety of socioeconomic and racial back-
labels," be says. "They want to go to the heart of the
grounds reflects oce of the choices Clinton may have
matter - how do they get along?"
to make in designing a national service program. Should
By putting people from Rozbury and Brookline in a
his program be open to everyone? If limited, how would
group and sending them out with a shared mission,
he choose who gets in?
Brown hopes the young people will set aside their stereo-
City Year and YouthBuild both spend $20,000 per
types - at the same time that they are dcing good for
year for every young person enrolled. The cost of
the community.
an open-ended program could be astronomical But a
Brown argues, however, that both City Year and
limited program with people from all classes would
YouthBurld should be options. "It's not an etther/or." he
mean that fewer low-incorce people could partici-
says.
pate.
-ra Zuckman
a national service program, according
The fever for national service
members have not focused on the is-
to existing budget rules. Instead, the
seems to be hotter in the Senate than
sue yet
money either would have to go to ro-
in the House. Senators such as Ed-
Ln Boston, Dorothy Stoneman, the
due the deficit 8 to pay for another
ward M Kennedy. D-Mass.. chairman
founder of the YouthBuild programs
entitlement program- And the banks
of the Labor and Human Resources
that teach low-income students how to
and guarantee agencies, which earn
Committee, Barbara A_ Mikulski, D-
build cr refurbish homes is the com-
their living off student loans, already
Md, Dave Durenberger, R-Minn
munity, argues that the investment is
have begun gearing up to fight the
Panl Wellstone, D-Minn, and Sam
worth It.
change.
Nunn, D-Ga. have become intimately
"You can't have this many people
Segal says he is considering direct
involved with the issue even though
not being productive," she says (Box,
loans, though DO decisions have been
the White House has not sent up any
p. 220)
made. But he also says the costs of a
legislation to date. In the House, with
Sen. Harris Wofford, D-Pa. who
national service program are still un.
the exception of McCurdy and Wil-
helped President Kennedy start the
certein Budget analysts and outside
liam D. Ford, D-Mich, chairman of
Peace Corps, says, "The crucial thing
experts are reviewing costs, he said
the Education and Labor Committee,
is to make those programs good."
8 JANUARY 30, 1993 - zn
THE NATION
National
service
- now
February 7,1993
Need for program
too great for Clinton
to allow gradualism
BOSTON GLOBE
By Scott Shuger
f Saddam Hussein had somehow man-
I
aged to put 100.000 guns in our
schools every day, to induce 400.000
high school dropouts a year. to pro-
duce nearly 1 million teen-age parents
every year. to afflict many of their babies
with cocaine aftereffects that annually cost
$500 million to treat, and to murder more
than 20,000 Americans every year. the presi-
dent and the Congress would not appoint a
commission to produce a report. They would
not announce that the problem deserves fur.
ther study. They would declare war. Yet
while all this havoe is happening here now
without Saddam Hussein. in policy circles
and in the press there has been much talk
about the need to start small and go slow on
a powerful response to it. national service.
With Bill Clinton's inaugural call for a
"season of service." the issue of national ser-
vice is now officially on the agenda. And yet
- as the country was reminded once again by
official Washington's adamant resistance to
decisive action on the Pentagon's gay ban -
in the nation's capital. being on the agenda
and getting things done are two very differ-
ent matters. Washington splits the differ-
ence whenever possible with its knee-jerk
gradualism, its belief that almost any policy
must be studied further, subjected to com-
promise and then enacted incrementally. if
at all.
I hope with all my heart that Clinton will
stand up to gradualism on national service
and instead lead the country powerfully on a
swift, bold course. My fundamental premise
is that national service does have the power
to reseed our eroding social landscape. Na-
tional service needn't be picking up gum
wrapper3 by the side of the highway: it could
be a commitment to put the vast unused tal-
ents and energies of its citizens, especially
those between 15 and 30, systematically to
work in the schools. the day-care centers,
the environmental projects. the hospitals.
the drug clinics and the nursing homes.
against the country's most pressing social
needs. And if one accepts this premise about
national service, it is folly not to go big and
SERVICE. Page 70
Scott Shuger. a Washington Monthly
contributing editor. has served as a
consultant to the federal government on
national service.
Service
priori reason why this should happen to any-
one besides nonperformers. The service or-
ganization Teach For America has had no
trouble putting 1,300 new teachers into pub-
Continued from Page 67
lic schools without displacing anyone; TFA
go fast.
only makes assignments to chronically un-
The proponents of gradualism build their
filled slota. The Los Angeles police chief,
case by focusing on the issues of cost, quality
Willie B. Williams, says his city could use
and worker displacement raised by large-
1,000 more officers. The electorate turned
scale implementation. While their concerns
him down, but a national service program
are right-minded in each of these areas,
that expanded enough to include a police
their case ignores important facts and possi-
corps could have produced those new offi-
bilities.
cers without costing anyone a job. And, quite
Cost
generally, a Ford Foundation study esti-
mates that there are enough unfilled needs
The gradualist argument goes like this:
in the country in such sectors as education,
The administrative costs required for a well-
law enforcement, health care, child care and
run service program will be great, as will the
environmental work to busy more than 3
stipends and post-service benefits (such as
million national service participants without
college loan forgiveness). The annual per
worker displacement.
participant cost of corps programs such as
At bottom, there are two reasons why
Boston's City Year or the Los Angeles Con-
national service gradualism has gotten a
servation Corps, is $20,000. Therefore, a na-
hearing in Washington well beyond what it
tional service program of 500,000 partici-
deserves, and they both have to do with the
pants would cost around $10 billion annually.
GLOBE STAFF FILE PHOTO/ PAM BEHRY
inordinate influence exercised there by com-
too much for a deficit-ridden federal budget.
Volunteers in City Year, Boston's own service program for young adults, warm up before a thon in October 1990.
mittees and policy analysts. For one thing,
This argument oversimplifies on several
further study is a growth industry of this
counts. First, although corps are a form of
high. Not to mention the other measurable
would come from any larger-scale national
ments) and be team-hased
crowd in a way that bold action could never
service that would be important in any na-
costs of criminality: the lost income and add-
effort.
Another part of the answer is to focus on
be. Yes, there is much we don't know about
tional program, there are many other kinds
ed welfare costs for the families of victims
Which leads to another point: It's not
something else that CETA lacked: systemat-
how best to pull off national service, but the
of service that also would be included, all of
and incarcerated perpetrators, the extra dol-
clear that all the incremental money has to
ic quality control. It's true that we don't
knowledge needed is not at the level of foot-
them cheaper and some much cheaper. For
lars spent by businesses, schools and other
come from the federal government. If busi-
know as much as we need to about what
notes and regression analyses; it is at the
instance, a national service program should
institutions in loss- and violence-prevention.
nesses and local governments enjoy the
works and what doesn't about national ser-
level of finding out how a company can best
include a vigorous school component in
Does anybody seriously think that getting
benefits of effective large-scale national ser-
vice. It was also true that in 1961 we didn't
use its van pool to take volunteers to hospi-
which college students and working profes-
an ambitious large-scale youth service
vice, they should pay their fair share for it.
know much about what worked and what
tals and schools, or figuring out which sort of
sionals periodically tutor elementary and
program going in Los Angeles would cost
and for the most part they would be willing
didn't work about going to the moon - yet
uniform an urban youth corps needs to meet
middle school children; experience suggests
anything like the $1 billion that went up in
to, because administrative and program
this was hardly seen as an argument against
the demands of climate and adolescent taste.
that as little as 1 hour a week of such tutor-
flames in the April rioting there? What's
costs are more projectable and controllable
mounting a big national effort to go there.
It's time to learn by doing.
ing can keep kids in school and substantially
more, if corps were given the chance to turn
than remedial costs.
The answer then and now is to be sure that
Second, the policy analysts are used to
improve academic performance. This
most of these at-risk youngsters into citizens
Quality
training, information-sharing and indepen-
viewing national service as just one among
program would be virtually free. And mak-
and members of the mainstream economy,
dent evaluation, all combined with a sincere
many "problems" that they study You know,
ing whole school curricula service-oriented
they would become revenue-producing tax-
The go-slow-and-small argument con-
determination to kill off nonperforming pro-
there is the drug problem, education, AIDS
80 that millions of schoolchildren would be
payers and consumers. In other words, the
tends that more ambitious attempts will give
grams, are part of the effort.
and national service. This is a fundamen-
doing service as a regular part of their aca-
incremental cost of even expensive pro-
us schlocky service inherently. The specter
demic load (doing tax returns for senior citi-
grams such as youth corps is nowhere near
And if the critics of big-time national ser-
tal misunderstanding of the power and fune-
is quickly raised of programs such as the
zens as part of a math class, say, or putting
$20,000 per person.
vice are serious about quality and are not
tion of national service, sort of like making a
Comprehensive Employment and Training
Act, a federal jobs program of the 1970s in
using it just as an excuse to wriggle out of
shopping list that says "Bread, meat, eggs
out the newsletter for a community mental
A similar point can be made about many
health center as part of a writing class) has
other dimensions of a truly full-scale nation-
which millions were spent with no truly mea-
the commitment, there is another quality en-
and shopping." National service is not just
been done superbly at some schools, such as
hancement they should adopt: Make national
another potential national priority. It is the
al service program: money that would be
surable long-lasting effect. The preceding
the Washington Elementary School in
service mandatory. Government and busi-
most promising way of achieving our nation-
spent under this heading is now being spent
discussion provides part of the answer here:
al priorities. The grave difficulties of drugs,
Mount Vernon, Wash., for under $10,000 per
but with less effect. Some of the money now
Money that we are spending anyway in re-
ness will be seriously engaged in winning the
battle for our schools and our streets if and
AIDS, education, and business competitive-
year per school. National service is not in-
spent on basic military training and bases
medial efforts can be rechanneled toward
herently unaffordable, because 80 much of
only if the sons and daughters of the elite
ness will be solved only by thoroughly adopt-
and equipment for a Cold War-strength
boosting national service program quality.
Army could be spent instead on training,
are fully involved. Senators and CEOs would
ing the service perspective. And this justifies
making a large national service program
Also, for the most part, CETA programs
work is taking what we are already doing
housing and equipping youth service corps
not stand for having their children doing
a bold and large-scale national program.
were placements of individuals in free-stand-
and giving it a service twist.
ing organizations. Often, those individual
one- or two-year stints at programs that
In Washington, extended study and seri-
members. The $28 million now spent annual-
Second, the real issue isn't how much
ly by the Selective Service system to not
were shoddily run, exploitative or corrupt. If
ousness of intent are inversely proportional.
placements were not monitored by anyone
money ambitious national service would cost;
have a draft could be applied easily to locat-
they didn't have the option of pulling their
When President Kennedy wanted the coun-
outside the organization, but even if they
it's how much new money. Although youth
ing 18-year-olds and matching them with na-
kids out of service altogether, they would be
try to get back in the space race, he didn't
were, the fact remained that little of the
corps would not be the only sort of service
CETA employee's time was directed toward
much more dedicated to weeding out shain
say we would send a rocket somewhere
tional service slots. Money now spent by
available in a national service plan (because
community colleges teaching remedial read-
service programs and improving deficient
sometime. There was no Desert Storm sum-
reflection on what he or she was doing, or
ones.
mit; there was no Somalia summit. Instead,
of the full range of tasks national service
ing and math and by industry teaching basic
was spent among others who were service-
in all these cases, there was large-scale deci-
needs to accomplish, I would say they should
work skills could be spent instead by service
oriented This meant that, at its best, CETA
programs achieving more focused and long.
Displacement
sive action. President Clinton, if you are se-
be no more than 50 percent), consider that
placements did not develop a sense of the
rious about national service, you will tell the
aforementioned estimated corps cost of
er-lasting results in the same areas, because
importance of service or teamwork. But this
Union officials and politicians fronting
wonks to step aside. Within your first hun-
$20,000 INT participant per year Many of
doing S0 would be their primary purpose.
is hardly an inherent defect; simply require
for them have supported gradualism because
dred days, I hope that you will present this
the at nak youth that corps are designed to
The federal government IS currently spend
as a condition of financing that the prepon-
they are fearful of their members losing jobs
nation with an ambitious goal something
accommodate are now ending up in the
ing around $300, million per year on such
derance of slots in national service have a
to national service participants. While it's,
like 1 million people in national service by
criminal justice system where the current
programs as VISTA and the Peace Corps
structured reflection component (such as
true that some workers will be displaced by
the end of three years and then strive
annual costs per participant are at least that
without realizing the economies of scale that
workshops and reading and writing assign-
the growth of national service, there is no a
mightily to meet it.
THE NEW YORK TIMES OP-ED TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23. 1993
Putting
While college students are recog-
nized as community activists. It was
a group of eighth graders who took
Youth
the lead last fall in Harlem in ad-
dressing a local problem. After a
summer of violence and neighbor-
hood rioting, Alexandra Alvare and a
To Work
few classmates at the innovative pub-
lic Community Service Academy cre-
ated a "peace team." The goal was
promote better relations between the
police and the community.
By Kim Grose
These 12- and 13-year-olds were
initially rebuffed by a citywide organ-
ization with the same goal because
his inaugural, President Clin-
they were thought to be too young to
I
ton challenged young Ameri-
be useful. But in December, they and
cans to "a season of service"
their parents were hosts to 60 police
to help in "reconnecting our
officers in the school for one week.
torn communities." A national
Their program included skits in
service program is high
which the teenagers enacted realistic
among his priorities, enabling young
community situations involving the
people to provide service to their
police and then asked the officers and
communities and help themselves
the parents to finish acting the
pay for college as well.
scenes.
Because Mr. Clinton has thus far
Service at the school-age level does
issued few details about what sort of
not cost billions of dollars. Mostly it is
program he intends to propose, and
jut a matter of using school time and
because the main example of domes-
resources in new and imaginative
tic national service from our past is
ways. Recently, several students from
the successful but monolithic Civilian
a suburban Tacoma, Wash., high
Conservation Corps, Americans have
school who are regular volunteers at a
an overly narrow understanding of
homeless shelter realized that a new
what national service could mean.
group of non-English-speaking fam-
If we limit our vision of service
ilies had taken shelter there. Frustrat-
only to college-bound youths who are
ed that the shelter's only children's
able or willing to serve full time, we
books were in English, these teen-
overlook the most under-utilized re-
agers enlisted the help of teachers in
source in our society our children.
their Spanish and computer classes to
It is at the young school age that we
translate the stories and print them
can plant the seeds of a service ethic
using the school's desk-top publishing
so that the next generation will want to
facilities. Finally, they donated the
serve full-time when it grows older. In
books to the shelter and used them in
addition, kids can do things that older
developing a family literacy project.
people cannot do as effectively, such
National service is not just about
as tutoring other kids in problem
young adults taking a year or two out
areas, where a teacher or other adult
of the normal path of life to serve the
might be intimidating. In the process,
community full-time. National serv-
those who serve gain greater confi-
ice is fundamentally about placing
dence and social skills themselves.
the value of personal responsibility
In the most successful service pro-
for oneself and one's society in a
grams up and running, children are
central place in our country's com-
taken seriously as community prob-
mon values.
lem-solvers, and service is integrated
The school-age component of a na-
into the regular learning process.
tional service program is crucial, and
Schools that provide meaningful op-
if the Clinton Administration broad-
portunities for learning through serv-
ens its vision to include all young
ice are rewarded by students more
people in national service, it will be
interested in learning.
drawing upon one of society's most
For example, in Scottsburg,
important and impressionable re-
seventh and eighth grades at the Wil-
sources. Those who serve in their
liam H. English Middle School staff
childhood years will come into adult-
and manage the largest wild animal
hood with experience in addressing
rehabilitation facility in the state.
community needs. As a result they
Their entire science curriculum is
will be better equipped to participate
united by the theme of caring for and
actively in society throughout their
treating sick and injured animals.
lives. Isn't this the goal of national
These 12-year-olds have also investi-
service?
gated a toxic spill in their neighbor-
hood and are collaborating with state
Kim Grose, a recent college gradu-
and national government agencies to
ate, co-authored a report of the Com-
develop game management policies.
mission on National and Community
The National Science Teacher Associ-
Service after five months of field re-
ation recently ranked this project
search in schools and college across
among the top 10 science programs in
the country.
the country and found that science
was the favorite subject every single
Youth Service Plan Will Start Small
0/27/93
Jobs: Clinton's first step
gram that will cost at least $5.8
camp," followed by at least eight
billion over four years and is to be
weeks of work.
will be a community
presented to Congress in the next
The cost, $5,890 per participant
few weeks, according to Diana
for a little more than two months of
employment project for
Aldridge, spokeswoman for the
service, indicates that Clinton's
1,800 young people. A
Administration's new national ser
national service agenda will carry
larger effort is in the
vice office.
a heavy price tag. The President
Funding for the full-scale pro-
plans to meet with all the students
works.
gram would represent an unprece-
at a gathering at the end of the
dented commitment to national
summer. In addition to those funds,
service programs by the federal
Clinton's initiative would contrib-
By ELIZABETH SHOGREN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
government.
ute up to $500 per participant for
"We're not used to getting $5.8
2,000 existing summer service pro-
W
ASHINGTON-The only
billion," said Roger Landrum, ex-
grams, and $1.2 million would be
part of President Clinton's
ecutive director of Youth Service
granted to create about 600 new
ambitious new national service
America, a alliance of community
summer positions with VISTA, an
program that would begin this year
service projects nationwide.
existing federally funded service
is a small community employment
"We're all worried it's going to be
program.
project that will put 1,800 young
too much money too fast."
A
nother $250,000 would be allo-
people to work this summer. The
The 1993 summer program pro-
cated to train elementary and
Times learned Friday.
vides clues to what a Clinton-style
secondary schoolteachers to design
The initiative, to be announced
national service program will look
and administer programs in their
by Clinton on Monday, is his first
like. By targeting a national ser-
schools.
move toward fulfilling a campaign
vice effort to meet the needs of
National service was Clinton's
promise to give young people a
"at-risk children." the President
most reliable applause line during
chance to do important work for
clearly indicates that he intends to
the campaign, and it has elicited a
society, restore a sense of civic
use the program to achieve results
strong grass-roots response since
spirit and earn tuition for college at
in other parts of his domestic
the election.
the same time.
agenda.
"I've noticed an increasing num-
The small scale of the maiden
Clinton's national service initia-
ber of students getting involved in
project illustrates the real-life
tive would be "very focused" on
community service already," said
challenges the Administration fac-
major national priorities so that it
David McKnight, 20, a junior soci-
es in meeting some of Clinton's
will have a "measurable impact,"
ology major at Rutgers University,
campaign themes. By rolling out a
said Landrum. who met with Clin-
where Clinton will unveil the sum-
program this summer, Clinton
ton's national service team Friday
mer project in a demestic policy
BOSTON / Los Angeles Times
clearly hopes to demonstrate a
to discuss the summer program and
speech Monday. "I'm sure that
ed some lawmakers.
commitment to a national service
agreed to comment on it only after
with the President's support of
program even though a full-scale
learning that the Times was al-
community service and civic re-
effort may not be in place before
ready aware of its details.
sponsibility, interest will keep
esign
the fall of 1994.
Funding for the 1,800 jubs this
spreading."
Youths participating in the proj-
summer would be limited to pro-
McKnight works as a volunteer
oct this summer would help needy
grams that can provide slots for at
at the Adult Tearning Center of
children in up to 10 urban and rural
least 50 participants. The money
New Brunswick, N.J., which the
garnered widespread
m a CROEE section of
areas by providing services such as
will go to no fewer than four but no
President is scheduled to visit. and
uding industry, the re-
assisting health care providers
more than 10 urban and rural
has been asked to conduct a class
nunity. and activist and
with immunizations. helping chil-
areas. The programs would begin
with high school dropouts during
organizations, many of
dren learn to read. tutoring teen-
with a weeklong "leadership boot
Clinton's tour.
ed for him to be re-
agers who are at risk of dropping
out of school and testing buildings
inched a $625-million
for lead paint.
reject to study the
In exchange. the workers would
items of older women
earn minimum wage. plus $1,000 to
be applied to education or training.
Windows!
designing a strategic
1834
agency that would lay
CS to take ii into the
U
nder Clinton's initiative,
which requires the approval of
100%
Reduce Outside Noise,
Congress. the government would
Draft & Pollution by over 50%
STATE
sometimes combative
also provide some funds for anoth-
FINANCING
All Styles of Replacement
or 2,600 summer community ser-
O.A.C
enemies. particularly
Windows Available
Hill. She clashed on
vice jobs for people aged 17 to 23.
All Viny: Frame Construction
sions with Rep. John
However, those workers would not
Double Pane Glass
D-Mich.), the powerful
receive the education and training
the House Energy and
PREFEL
Thermal Efficient
stipend.
Warmer in Winter
Committee and head of
The budget for the summer pro-
Cooler in Summer
AIR
ttee that oversees the
grams will be $15 million. accord-
No Need to Restucco or
PLANE
Drywall
ing to an Administration document
Never Needs Painting
sued 3 terse statement
obtained by The Times, an amount
Maintenance Free
's departure was an-
far smaller than those for summer
DUAL
ying only. "I wish her
PENE
STASS
Lifetime Warranty
jobs programs that the federal and
incertakings.'
state governments already offer
THERMAL
EFFICE
Sherman
BUILDING
&
COATING
CALL
as
in a statement Friday
The Clinton team IS at work on
1-800-448-4646
lieves "the NIH is a
Use broader national service pro-
sure."
with or NIII's mccical
2 Milion A-1
Youths to Get
Summer Jobs, Classes
Summer Aid
Planned for 2 Million
U.S. Plans Expansion
Disadvantaged Youths
Of Jobs and Classes
steep increases afterwards-be
RILEY, From Al
spread out among America's public
classrooms would be used or who
schools. Localities would decide
By Mary Jordan
Washington Post Staff Writer
would teach?
which innovative programs to fund.
To get idle youths off the street
According to Labor Department
The Bush strategy was to focus
this summer, the Clinton adminis-
officials, the new jobs are slated for
federal money on the construction
inner cities and poor rural areas,
of a small number of "break-the-
tration plans to give as many as 2
and would involve some existing
mold" schools that would be a model
million American youths a new
summer job or a seat in summer
programs such as mayors' summer
of change for others.
school beginning as early as June.
job programs and those of private
Riley also said that the education
Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich
business councils.
package dubbed, "Goals 2000: Ed-
and Education Secretary Richard
The Clinton plan adds $1 billion
ucate America Act," would continue
W. Riley, offering the most detailed
in new funding to the nearly $1 bil-
to push for establishment of a base-
explanation yet of the major Clinton
lion already in the budget. Some of
line of knowledge that all American
youth initiative, told senators on
students must learn before gradu-
that existing money is the unspent
Capitol Hill yesterday that the jobs
money from last year and the rest
ation.
plan would target the nation's "100
Currently, there are no such
was approved for summer jobs un-
poorest areas.
standards. Likewise, as the Labor
The jobs are to range from paint-
der then-President George Bush.
Department develops occupational
ing city halls to supervising recre-
In addition to working with Labor
skill standards for the non-college-
ation centers and will employ 1.3
to figure out how the "education
bound, Riley said they are "to have
million youths-double the number
component" of the jobs program
a powerful effect" on what is taught
hired last year. For the first time,
would be administered, the Educa-
in high school.
the teenagers hired also would be
tion Department also is seeking an
Riley told reporters afterwards
drilled during the work day in math,
immediate infusion of $500 million
that he plans to "avoid the political
reading and writing, Labor officials
to keep open the so-called Chapter
side issues," such as private school
said.
1 schools this summer.
In addition, hundreds of thou-
"choice," that were the focus of de-
These schools have concentra-
sands more disadvantaged children
bate during the Bush administra-
tions of low-income, disadvantaged
would be kept in school this sum-
tion.
mer under a separate plan to keep
students and are eligible for special
Rep. William F. Goodling (Pa.),
open year-round schools with large
federal funding to teach basic skills,
the ranking Republican on the Ed-
numbers of poor children.
particularly math and reading.
ucation and Labor Committee, said
"This is great news," said Richard
Riley also used the two-hour ses-
he sees little difference between
Miller, executive director of the
sion before the Senate Labor and
what Riley is advocating and what
American Association of School Ad-
Human Resources Committee to
Bush had been calling for.
ministrators. "It gives them an op-
offer the first glimpse of the Clinton
"The difference now is that the
portunity to learn and earn at the
administration's education package.
majority will not be able to say 'no'
same time."
In a shift from Bush administra-
simply because it is a Republican
There are 18 million youths aged
tion policy, Riley said he would
president's idea," said Goodling,
15 to 19, according to the 1990
census. The job and school initia-
presenting to Congress a request
predicting that the Clinton revisions
that more federal dollars-perhaps
will find little opposition in Con-
tives-costing an additional $1.5
billion-are expected to help those
$400 million in the first year and
gress.
not already employed or at camp or
school.
"After the events of last year in
Los Angeles," Clinton told Congress
last week, "and the countless sto-
ries of despair in our cities and in
our poor rural communities," the
nation needs to create summer jobs
for unemployed youths.
In the past, federal summer jobs
programs have been fraught with
management problems. Last year,
$267 million appropriated for the
program was never spent. The lo-
gistics of teaching a diverse body of
working youths will only add to the
The Washington Post
complexity of the historically trou-
bled program. For instance, what
2/25/93
See RILEY, A12, Col. 1
28
THE
NEW
YORK
TIMES
OP-ED
SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY
28,
1993
E
15
kli
National Service - Now
By Bill Clinton
lenge is great. We must combine the
and receive financial support for edu-
country through a new Police Corps
would be self-defeating; it would
intensity of the post-World War 11
cation or training in return.
trained to walk beats. We'll also or-
squash the spirit of innovation that
years with the idealism of the early
We'll offer people of different ages
ganize others in our communities to
national service demands.
WASHINGTON
1960's - and help young people afford
and educational levels different ways
keep kids out of gangs and off drugs.
By design, our national service pro-
a college education or job training.
to serve. And to focus our energies and
We'll put still others to work con-
gram will not happen overnight. In-
A pathy is dead.
Of everything I've
In 1993, we'll restore the spirit of
get the most for our money, we'll direct
trolling pollution and recycling waste,
stead, it will grow year by year, with
learned in my first
service by asking our people to serve
special attention to a few areas:
to help insure that we pass on to our
funding reaching $3 billion in 1997.
few weeks in the
here at home. We won't refight the
We'll ask thousands of young peo-
children a nation that is clean and
And as I've said many times, I be-
White House, that's
wars we won, but we'll tackle the
ple to serve In our schools - some as
safe for years to come.
lieve it will be the best money we ever
the thing that's made
growing domestic dangers that
teachers, others as youth mentors,
Our national service program will
spend.
me the happiest. Whether or not the
threaten our future.
reading specialists and math tutors.
offer more than benefits to Individ-
If Congress gives us the chance,
people I've met outside the capital
Our new initiative will embody the
They'll join the effort to insure that
uals. We'll help pay operating costs
this summer we'll create an eight-
support the changes I have proposed,
same principles as the old G.I. Bill. It
our schools offer the best education in
for community groups with proved
week leadership training program.
they're all saying they're ready to
will challenge our people to serve our
the world.
track records, providing the support
We'll recruit more than 1,000 young
rebuild our country.
country and do the work that should
they'll need to grow. And we'll let
people for special projects to meet
But they know, as I do, that no
- and must - be done. It will give
entrepreneurs compete for venture
the needs of children at risk - and to
economic plan can do it alone. A plan
those who serve the honor and re-
capital to develop new service pro-
train the first class of full-year par-
can make vaccines available to chil-
wards they deserve. It will invest in
Federal seed
grams.
ticipants.
dren, but alone it will not administer
the future of the quiet heroes who
While the Federal Government will
In the first full year of our initiative,
the shots to all of them. It can put
Invest in the future of others.
security guards in the schools, but
The national service legislation
money, but local
provide the seed money for national
we'll launch our flexible loan program
service, we are determined that the
and aim to put tens of thousands of
alone it will not take gangs off the
that I will send to Congress shortly
participants - the individuals who
streets. And it can provide more aid
will give our people the chance to
management.
people to work. By 1997, more than
serve and the groups that sponsor
100,000 citizens could be serving our
for college, but alone it will not make
serve in two basic ways:
their service - will guide the process.
country, getting education and train-
the costs of college less daunting for
First, it will make it easier for
Spending tens of millions of tax dol-
ing benefits in return. And hundreds
the middle class.
young people to hold low-paying pub-
lars to build a massive bureaucracy
of thousands more people could be
That's why I believe we need na-
lic service jobs and still pay off their
We'll send people into medical
tional service - now.
student loans.
clinics to help immunize the nation's
If Congress acts quickly enough, just
Under our program, Americans
2-year-olds. Some participants will be
months from now more than 1,000
will be able to borrow the money they
qualified to give the shots, but thou-
young people will start serving our
need for college and pay it back as a
sands of others can provide essential
country in a special summer effort. In
small percentage of their income
support, contacting parents and
four years, the successors to these
over time. By giving graduates the
following up to make sure children
pioneers will multiply a hundredfold.
chance to repay loans on an afford-
get the shots they need.
Imagine: an army of 100,000 young
able, reasonable schedule, this "in-
We'll help police forces the
people restoring urban and rural com-
come-contingent" program will allow
munities and giving their labor in re-
our people to do the work that our
turn for education and training.
communities really need.
National service is an idea as old as
Second, our legislation will create
America. Time and again, our people
new opportunities for Americans to
have found new ways to honor citizen-
serve our country for a year or two -
ship and match the needs of changing
times.
Lincoln's Homestead Act rewarded
those who had the courage to settle the
doing Invaluable work because col-
frontier with the land to raise a family.
lege loans no longer block the way.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Social Securi-
But the best planning and the most
ty Act Insured that Americans who
ambitious design won't make this vi-
work a lifetime can grow old with
sion of national service a reality. That
dignity. Harry S. Truman's G.I. Bill
responsibility ultimately rests with
rewarded the service of my father's
the American people.
generation, transforming youthful vet-
I am convinced that after 12 years
erans into an army of educated civil-
of drifting apart instead of working
lans that led our nation into a new era.
together we are ready to meet the
For my generation, the reality of
challenge. From a 14-year-old boy in
national service was born 32 years
North Dakota who sent us $1,000 to
ago tomorrow, when President John
help pay off the deficit, to a 92-year-
F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps.
old widower in Kansas who followed
At its peak, the Peace Corps enrolled
his example, people are demonstrat-
only 16,000 volunteers yet it changed
ing that they want to give something
the way a generation of Americans
back to their nation.
look at themselves and the world.
National service will exercise our
Today, the spirit of our people once
talents and rebuild our communities.
again can meet head-on the troubles
It will harness the energy of our
of our times.
youth and attack the problems of our
The task is as complex as our chal-
time. It will bring together men and
women of every age and race and lift
President Clinton will deliver a
5
up our nation's spirit. And for all of
speech on national service tomorrow
us, it will rekindle the excitement of
at Rutgers University.
Seymour Chwast
being Americans.
Today, another newly elected president
All this was unknown on campuses
A
talks of launching a program of national
a decade ago, said Todd Waller. direc-
ew
service. And students are embracing society
tor of the University of Pennsylva-
as their great subject matter after a long
nia's program for student-commu-
period of Looking Out for Number One.
nity involvement.
The trend is plain in the most recent poll of
In 1983, the student-led Campus
generation
U.S. freshmen sponsored by the American
Outreach Opportunity League
Council on Education, a poll taken each year
(COOL) held its first national confer-
since 1967. A survey of 213,630 freshmen at
ence on promoting community serv-
404 two- and four-year colleges and universi-
ties found:
ice, and 30 people showed up. Last
year, 2,000 attended the conference.
of student
Two of every five college freshmen partici-
Now the organization works with
pated in an organized demonstration last
faculty and students at 650 schools.
year - a record. and more than twice the
number recorded during the late 1960s.
"It's a groundswell," said Terry
A record 42 percent of freshmen said "help-
Russell, general counsel for the Com-
activism
ing to promote racial understanding" was an
mission on National and Community
"essential" or "very important" goal - a
Service.
sharp jump over 1991. when 33 percent gave
Examples abound.
those answers.
Temple University's Center for
A record 43 percent of freshmen said that
Public Policy is launching a three-
By Howard Goodman
"influencing social values" was "essential"
year effort in which students and
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
or "very important."
faculty from various disciplines will
B
obby Seale, famous long ago as co-
Nearly one in three freshmen said "becom-
work with North Philadelphia resi-
founder of the beret-wearing, gun-
ing a community leader" was "very impor-
dents on an array of development
toting Black Panther Party; the
tant" or "essential" - twice the percentage
projects for the battered inner city.
bound-and-gagged defendant of the
as when the question was last asked, in 1972.
circusy Chicago Eight conspiracy trial; the
In New Haven, Conn., Yale and five
Only 14 percent of freshmen said they
icon lofted in countless cries of "Free
other schools are running a summer
planned business careers - down from
Bobby!" after his arrest on never-proven
program for children in city housing
nearly 25 percent in 1987.
murder conspiracy charges - Bobby Seale
projects. At Notre Dame. students use
The goal of "being very well off finan-
visits college campuses these days and sees a
a school van to carry leftover food to
cially" dropped for the fifth straight year.
brand-new generation ready to roll.
a homeless shelter in South Bend,
while the percentage of students aiming to
Ind.
"They're very interested in the Sixties,"
"develop a meaningful philosophy of life"
said Seale, now 56 and working part time as
rose for the fifth straight year.
At Stanford University, nearly one-
volunteer community liaison for Temple
"There is a developing sense among youth
third of the freshman class takes
University's African American studies de-
that there are significant problems that need
part in an English class in which
partment. That's when he's not on the col-
to be solved in American society and that
students write brochures, newslet-
lege lecture circuit, 40 dates a year - four
they need to put their idealism into prac-
ters and grant proposals for local
times busier than he was a half-dozen years
tice," said Ira Harkavy, director of commu-
nonprofit organizations.
ago.
nity partnerships at the University of Penn-
Next month. about 30 volunteers
"They want to know what they can get
sylvania.
will begin work as the inaugural
involved in, where they should start, how
"And there is a growing interest in univer-
class of the brand-new Pennsylvania
they can help," Seale said, "black and white
sities in how their studies may be linked to
Service Corps. This localized version
and Hispanic and Asian."
service - how they can put their minds to
of the Peace Corps hopes to recruit
The issues are the
See ACTIVISM on E4 ED
400 people in the next three years
environment, rac-
ism, poverty - gust-
It's not the
and send them into beleaguered
ACTIVISM from E1
communities in Philadelphia. Pitts-
ing, once again.
across university
Sixties
helping solve the most pressing
burgh and other parts of the state.
problems of their times."
Many corps members - paid $8,800
campuses after a
long period of MBA-
all over
for a year's service and given $5,000
worship. Coast to
again,
One clear signal is the emergence
toward higher education - will be
of a new college staple.
based at colleges and universities.
coast, social activism
is stirring the aca-
Community service.
Why so much activity?
though.
demic air.
Last school year, more than 140,000
"One of the reasons is that the
It's not that the
The spirit
students at 305 schools from Califor-
problems of American society are so
Sixties are back. The
nia to New York took part in weekly
significant and so obvious," Harkavy
is more
said. "I think the election of Bill
current mood lacks
community-service work, much of it
that era's fever, its
in inner-city neighborhoods a world
Clinton has helped develop a new
sense of desperation
practical.
apart from the cloistered classroom.
sense of optimism. At the same time
That's according to Campus Com-
students know the problems of the
and apocalypse, its
pact, a national organization doing
job market."
spirit of invention
for community service at colleges
Universities also are recognizing a
and self-assertion.
deep self-interest in promoting com-
No, this is something new - and Seale is
and universities what Johnny Apple-
not the only one to notice. The spirit is more
seed did for apples.
munity service. If nearby neighbor
practical, more sober, more willing to work
Approximately two-thirds of U.S.
hoods are crime-ridden. if they turn
shabby, it becomes harder to recruit
within institutions. Today's students are
campuses now host community-serv-
ice offices, where students can find
faculty and students. "As the prob-
quicker to write grants than manifestoes,
more likely to tutor a child than take over
out how they can, say, tutor in an
lem gets worse and worse, the pres-
the dean's office.
elementary school or counsel teen
sure grows on an institution to say:
'What are we going to do to solve
"Every 25 or 30 years you get a genera-
runaways.
these problems?" Harkavy said.
tional cycle," said Harry Boyte, politics pro-
fessor at the University of Minnesota, "a kind
At Drexel, economics professor An-
drew G. Verzilli teaches business stu-
of re-engagement with the public world, a
kind of exhaustion from an excessively pri-
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER,
dents by immersing them in real-life
vate life."
problems. They have surveyed South
Philadelphia, PA 2-28-93
Street residents. merchants and visi-
In the Thirties, young socialists and com-
tors in a search for harmony on the
munists - and Franklin Roosevelt's Civilian
Conservation Corps - marked the age for
competing problems of economic de
collegians passionate about the Spanish Civil
velopment and neighborhood vitali
War. In the Sixties - the time of John F.
ty. One group did a feasibility study
on the use of inmate labor to clear
Kennedy's Peace Corps - the New Left, the
counterculture and black power raised battle
up the New Jersey shore; the cost
benefit analysis helped lead the state
cries against a hated war in Vietnam and
racial injustices at home.
Legislature to pay for the project.
"We interviewed inmates. anc
then we got to see our work produce
results." said Jack Keifer. who gradu
ated from Drexel in 1991. "That was
real thrill."
Keifer, 24. is about to begin a year
as one of the first members of the
14.3
0
1969
1979
1992
Think influencing social values
is "essential" or
43.3%
33.9%
The Philadelphia inquirer / MICHAEL MALLY
At the Turner Middle School in West Philadelphia, Sameer Mathur (left) and Mita Sanghavi, both Penn
juniors, teach sixth graders about nutrition. Both students hope to get medical degrees.
On the nation's campuses,
activism again comes of age
6681992
Think it is "essential" or very
important to promote racial
Pennsylvania Service Corps. He will
students wrote things down."
help coordinate community-service
Mita Sanghavi, a Penn junior who
projects for Drexel students.
teaches at the middle school once a
42.0%
"Community service and the
week as part of the course require-
whole idea that I'm my brother's
ment, said the program was a fitting
35.8"
keeper were real big in the Sixties,"
use of a powerful institution such as
Keifer said. "The Seventies were
Penn: "That's one of the measures of
kind of an 'I' decade. Then we get the
a university - the impact it has on
Eighties, with a Hollywood president
improving the community."
and a Hollywood attitude toward our
problems.
She plans to get a medical degree,
then help formulate public health
"But now it's just so obvious that
policy. Sameer Mathur, a Penn junior
we have to do more about taking
who teaches at Turner alongside her,
responsibility to change our commu-
also hopes for a medical degree. He
nities."
plans to devote five or six years to
practicing medicine in his ancestral
The University of Pennsylvania
India.
has gained a reputation as one of the
In November, Sanghavi joined an
leaders of the campus community-
additional 15 or 20 Penn students
service movement.
who spent a night outdoors - "to
The Philadelphia inquirer/E.F. CAMPBELL
About 2,100 Penn students tutor in
make a statement that we are aware
West Philadelphia schools, Waller
of the issues" of homelessness.
spirit today is not political organiz-
said - a practice that goes back to
In January, both students traveled
ing or photogenic demonstrating.
1985 and to a class in university-
Students today are more practical-
community relations that was co-
to Washington for a national meet-
ing of South Asian students. Eight
minded. They want results.
taught by the university president,
Sheldon Hackney.
hundred showed up - many others
"The sense of possibility is damp-
had to be turned away for lack of
ened by the widespread perception
Students who take Anthropology
space - and speaker after speaker
that America is no longer rich and
210 spend much of their time at
talked about the need to move away
no longer powerful enough to do
Turner Middle School, two miles
from talking about problems to doing
whatever it wants."
west of the campus in poverty-ridden
something about them.
Said Boyte, of the University of
West Philadelphia. Some teach sixth
"It's not just ideas; it's action now,"
Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey In-
graders about nutrition. Some study
Sanghavi said.
stitute of Public Affairs: "In some
the eating habits of the children and
ways, this generation has grown up
their families. Professor Francis
What form that action takes is any-
hearing everything's wrong, and yet
Johnson has written two scholarly
one's guess.
they haven't seen much being done
papers from the research.
"I wouldn't expect the styles in the
about the challenges they see facing
It's more than simple volunteer
Nineties to be like the styles of the
the country - racism, the environ-
work. The goal is to make long-stand-
Sixties," said Todd Gitlin, a sociolo-
ment, crime, whatever.
ing improvements in a community.
gist at the University of California,
"Kids don't feel themselves to be
And to show students a link between
Berkeley, and author of The Sixties:
innocent outsiders looking in, the
scholarship and service.
Years of Hope, Days of Rage.
way kids did in the Sixties. One of my
"I think this kind of course
"It may not be as flamboyant; it
students told me the other day:
couldn't have been done at all 10
may not be as utopian," said Gitlin, a
'We're the carpenters and builders
years ago," Johnson said. "In the
former member of the radical Stu-
who are going to have to do some-
early '80s I just lectured facts, and
dents for a Democratic Society. "The
thing about these problems."
Clinton to Outline Voluntary Service Plan on MTV
izens. Clinton said George L. Baker.
a retured Air Force major from
Sherwood, Ark., had sent ham his
Distinguished Flying Cross as a sign
On Radio, President Doesn 't Mention That Budget Pressure Will Sharply Restrict Effort
of support for the economic pro-
gram.
In a GOP response, Rep. Henry
officers, nurses or in other commu-
By Howard Kurtz
loans, and placing one student in a
spending proposals and that some
Bonilla (R-Tex.) said people in his
Washington Post Staff Writer
nity service jobs.
service job could cost $18,000 a
even sent contributions to reduce
district "overwhelningly oppose
The president said that "every-
year.
the budget deficit. He did not ad-
this plan. I've been stopped ETI the
President Clinton will unveil his
one with the desire to serve will
MTV said the president will be
dress demands in Congress for fur-
street in recent days in Laredo and
voluntary national service plan
have the opportunity and we'll meet
interviewed by Tabitha Soren dur-
ther spending cuts.
San Antonio by people who tell me
Monday and pitch it in an unortho-
social needs that for too long have
ing a 30-minute special called "Bill
"We are on the right track," Clin-
they cannot pay more in taxes be-
dox forum that served him well dur-
gone unaddressed." He made no
Clinton: Your Future, His Plan."
ton said. "Already mortgage rates
fore they see real spending carls.
ing the campaign: an appearance on
mention of his recent acknowledg-
The special will include highlights
have fallen to their lowest level in
"It seems that members of the
MTV.
ment that budgetary concerns
of the president's Monday speech at
20 years-20 years. With falling
president's own party are now balk-
would reduce the effort to a small
In his weekly radio address yes-
Rutgers University in New Jersey,
interest rates, more people can af-
ing at this tax-and-spend plan," he
pilot program that would be phased
terday, Clinton described the pro-
where he will outline the proposal.
ford loans to build their businesses,
said. "They're clearly not comfort-
in over SIX years.
Clinton broke new political ground
buy cars or purchase houses.
able with it. And for good reason.
posal as "a call to action and to re-
National service was a staple of
last year by courting young voters
That's an essential part of the
They, too, are beginning to ser the
sponsibility" that will enable "hun-
Clinton's 1992 campaign, but it
on MTV, the rock-music network.
American dream we're working
reality of the program, the $275
dreds of thousands of students" to
could be years before it is available
In the radio address, Clinton said
hard to restore."
billion tax increase, the largest in
attend college. The program would
to more than a fraction of eligible
that "citizens from cities all-a }ross
Borrowing a device often used by
history, that's more than four times
allow students to pay off govern-
students. More than 5 million col-
the country* have voiced "over-
former president Ronald Reagan,
the amount the president claims to
ment loans by working as police
lege students now receive federal
whelming" support for his tax and
Clinton read letters from two cit-
want in spending cuts."
SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 28. 1993
THE WASHINGTON POST
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(New Brunswick, New Jersey)
For Immediate Release
March 1, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN NATIONAL SERVICE ADDRESS
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, New Jersey
1:15 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, Nakia Tomlinson for that fine
introduction. I wish I could take you with me everywhere. We'd
make a great duo there. Let's give her another hand. I thought
she was great. (Applause.)
I'd like to thank President Frank Lawrence for his -
Francis Lawrence -- for his fine speech. Does anybody call him
Frank? I should have asked. (Laughter.) I want to compliment
Professor Benjamin Barber for his leadership and service here.
(Applause.) And I want to thank all of you here in the Rutgers
community for coming out for what I hope will be a truly historic
moment in our nation's history. (Applause.)
In addition to the people who have been introduced
here, there are a host of mayors and members of the Assembly and
county officials here from your state. We have two former
governors, both of whom I served with -- Brendan Byrne and Tom
Kean who are out there. I'm glad to see them. (Applause.) My
friends. We have a distinguished array of members of the House
from New Jersey -- Herb Klein, Bob Manendez, Frank Pallone,
Donald Payne -- (applause).
But you have some members of the Congress from all
over America here and I want to introduce them, too, because they
have taken a lot of trouble to come to Rutgers and because
without them and without the people who represent you, the
proposal I make today has no hope of passage.
Many members of the Congress for years have believed
we ought to do more in national service and some of them are here
today. I'd like to begin by introducing your Senator Bill
Bradley, who's behind me. (Applause.) I must say, when I walked
into this arena, I turned around and asked Bill Bradley if he'd
ever shot any baskets in here. I'd be intimidated to be the
opposing team in here. (Applause.) Senator Bradley sponsored
legislation to establish neighborhood corps and self-reliance
scholarships, things that are forbearers of the proposal I came
to make.
I'd like to recognize the presence on the platform
of Senator Ted Kennedy from Massachusetts -- (applause) -- who
chairs the Senate Committee on Human Resources and Education,
which sheparded the pilot national and community service bill
through the Congress in the last session, along with his
counterpart who is out here in the audience somewhere. I'd like
to ask him to stand up. The Chairman of the House Committee,
Congressman Bill Ford, who came all the way from Michigan to be
with us. Congressman, would you stand up. (Applause.)
I'd like to recognize in the audience the presence
of Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut, who was one of the first
Peace Corps volunteers in the United States. (Applause.)
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The member of Congress who introduced many, many
years ago, the first piece of national service legislation ever
introduced, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee,
Senator Clairborne Pell from Rhode Island is here. (Applause.)
I'd also like to introduce the only person in this
audience, at least of our crowd, who doesn't have to look up to
Senator Bradley, Senator Jay Rockefeller from West Virginia, an
early VISTA volunteer in the United States. (Applause.)
And finally I would like to recognize two other
people, one, a member of the United States Senate and one a
distinguished American citizen, the first boss of the Peace
Corps, Sargent Shriver, who's up here with me. (Applause.) And
his deputy, Senator Harris Wofford, from Pennsylvania.
(Applause.) And Mrs. Wofford, I'm glad to see you. (Applause.)
Now, I was involved before I became President in a
group called the Democratic Leadership Council, and we made one
of the central parts of our platform to reclaim a new majority of
Americans for our party the establishment of a system of national
service to help people to finance education. And one of our
founding members and guiding lights is here, Representative Dave
McCurdy from Oklahoma. I'd like for him to stand up.
(Applause.)
Let me make this last point, if I might, by way of
beginning. None of these things happen at the national level.
We empower them to happen and then people have to do things here
at the grassroots. And I want to say a special word of thanks to
your Governor for supporting the New Jersey Youth Corps and
several other projects like it around the state, because if
nobody's here to believe in this, it can't happen. And I thank
Governor Florio for his support for these things. (Applause.)
I came here to ask all of you to join me in a great
national adventure, for in the next few weeks I will ask the
United States Congress to join me in creating a new system of
voluntary national service -- something that I believe in the
next few years will change America forever and for the better.
My parents' generation won new dignity working their
way out of the great Depression through programs that provided
them the opportunity to serve and to survive. Brave men and
women in my own generation waged and won peaceful revolutions
here at home for civil rights and human rights, and began service
around the world in the Peace Corps and here at home in Vista.
Now, Americans of every generation face profound challenges in
meeting the needs that have been neglected for too long in this
country -- from city streets plagued by crime and drugs to
classrooms where girls and boys must learn the skills they need
for tomorrow, to hospital wards where patients need more care.
All across America we have problems that demand our common
attention.
For those who answer the call and meet these
challenges, I propose that our country honor your service with
new opportunities for education. National service will be
America at its best -- building community, offering opportunit,
and rewarding responsibility. National service is a challenge
for Americans from every background and walk of life, and it
values something far more than money. National service is
nothing less than the American way to change America.
(Applause.)
It is rooted in the concept of community: the
simple idea that none of us on our own will ever have as much to
cherish about our own lives if we are out here all alone as we
will if we work together. That somehow a society really is an
organism in which the whole can be greater than the sum of its
parts. And every one of us, no matter how many privileges with
which we are born, can still be enriched by the contributions of
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the least of us. And that we will never fulfill our individual
capacities until, as Americans, we can all be what God meant for
us to be. (Applause.)
If that is so -- if that is true, my fellow
Americans, and if you believe it, it must therefore follow that
each of us has an obligation to serve. For it is perfectly clear
that all of us cannot be what we ought to be until those of us
who can help others -- and that is nearly all of us -- are doing
something to help others live up to their potential. The concept
of community and the idea of service are as old as our history.
They began the moment America was literally invented.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of
Independence, "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our
fortune, and our sacred honor." In the midst of the Civil War,
President Lincoln signed into law two visionary programs that
helped our people come together again and build America up. The
Morrill Act helped states create new land grant colleges. This
is a land grant university. The university in my home state was
the first land grant college west of the Mississippi River.
In these places, young people learn to make American
agriculture and industry the best in the world. The legacy of
the Morrill Act is not only our great colleges and universities
like Rutgers, but the American tradition that merit and not money
should give people a chance for a higher education. (Applause.)
Mr. Lincoln also signed the Homestead Act that
offered 100 acres of land for families who had the courage to
settle the frontier and farm the wilderness. Its legacy is a
nation that stretches from coast to coast. Now we must create a
new legacy that gives a new generation of Americans the right and
the power to explore the frontiers of science and technology and
space. The frontiers of the limitations of our knowledge must be
pushed back so that we can do what we need to do. And education
is the way to do it, just as surely as it was more than 100 years
ago.
Seven decades after the Civil War in the midst of
the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created the Civilian
Conservation Corps, which gave 2.5 million young people the
opportunity to support themselves while working in disaster
relief and maintaining forests, beaches, rivers, and parks. Its
legacy is not only the restoration of our natural environment,
but the restoration of our national spirit. Along with the Works
Products Administration -- the WPA -- the Civilian Conservation
Corps symbolized government's effort to provide a nation in
depression with the opportunity to work, to build the American
community through service. And all over America today, you can
see projects -- even today in the 1990s -- built by your parents
or your grandparents with the WPA plaque on it -- the CCC plaque
on it -- the idea that people should be asked to serve and
rewarded for doing it.
In the midst of World War II, President Roosevelt
proposed the GI Bill of Rights, which offered returning veterans
the opportunity for education in respect to their service to
country in the war. Thanks to the GI Bill, which became a living
reality in President Truman's time, more than eight million
veterans got advanced education. And half a century later, the
enduring legacy of the GI Bill is the strongest economy in the
world and the broadest, biggest middle class that any nation has
ever enjoyed.
For many in my own generation, the summons to
citizenship and service came on this day 32 years ago, when
President Kennedy created the Peace Corps with Sargent Shriver
and Harris Wofford and other dedicated Americans when President
Kennedy created the Peace Corps. With Sargent Shriver and Harris
Wofford and other dedicated Americans, he enabled thousands of
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young men and women to serve on the leading edge of the new
frontier, helping people all over the world to become what they
ought to be, and bringing them the message by their very lives
that America was a great country that stood for good values and
human progress.
At its height, the Peace Corps enrolled 16,000 young
men and women. Its legacy is not simply goodwill and good works
in countries all across the globe, but a profound and lasting
change in the way Americans think about their own country and the
world.
Shortly after the Peace Corps, Congress, under
President Johnson, created the volunteers and service to America.
Senator Jay Rockefeller, whom I introduced a moment ago, and many
thousands of other Americans went to the hills and hollows of
poor places, like West Virginia and Arkansas and Mississippi, to
lift up Americans through their service.
The lesson of our whole history is that honoring
service and rewarding responsibility is the best investment
America can make. And I have seen it today. Across this great
land, through the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, which took the
children who lived in the neighborhoods where the riots occurred
and gave them a chance to get out into nature and to clean up
their own neighborhoods and to lift themselves and their friends
in the effort; in Boston with the City Year program -- with all
these programs represented here in this room today, the spirit of
service is sweeping this country and giving us a chance to put
the quilt of America together in a way that makes a strength out
of diversity; that lifts us up out of our problems; and that
keeps our people looking toward a better and brighter future.
(Applause.)
National service recognizes a simple but powerful
truth -- that we make progress not by governmental action alone,
but we do best when the people and their government work at the
grassroots in genuine partnership. The idea of national service
permeates many other aspects of the programs I have sought to
bring to America. The economic plan that I announced to
Congress, for example, will offer every child the chance for a
healthy start through immunization and basic health care and Head
Start. (Applause.) But still it depends on parents doing the
best they can as parents and children making the most of their
opportunities.
The plan can help to rebuild our cities and our
small communities through physical investments that will put
people to work. But Americans still must work to restore the
social fabric that has been torn in too many communities. Unless
people know we can work together in our schools and our offices,
in our factories, unless they believe we can walk the streets
safely together, and unless we do that together, governmental
action alone is doomed to fail. (Applause.)
The national service plan I propose will be built
the same principles as the old GI Bill -- when people give
something of invaluable merit to their country, they ought to be
rewarded with the opportunity to further their education.
National service will challenge our people to do the work that
should and indeed must be done and cannot be done unless the
American people voluntarily give themselves up to that work. It
will invest in the future of every person who serves.
And as we rekindle the spirit of national service, i
know it won't disappoint many of the students here to know that
we also have to reform the whole system of student loans.
(Applause.) We should begin by making it easier for young people
to pay back their student loans and enabling them to hold jobs --
(applause) -- enabling them to hold jobs that may accomplish
much, but pay little.
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Today, when students borrow money for an education,
the repayment plan they make is based largely on how much they
have to repay, without regard to what the jobs they take
themselves pay. It is a powerful incentive, therefore, for young
college graduates to do just the reverse of what we might want
them to do; to take a job that pays more even it is less
rewarding because that is the job that will make the repayment of
the loans possible. It is also, unfortunately, a powerful
incentive for some not to make the payments at all, which is
unforgivable.
So what we seek to do is to enable the American
students to borrow the money they need for college and pay it
back as a small percentage of their own income over time. This
is especially important after a decade in which the cost of a
college education has gone up even more rapidly than the cost of
health care. (Applause.) Making a major contribution to one of
the more disturbing statistics in America today, which is that
the college dropout rate in this country is now 2.5 times the
high school dropout rate. We can do better than that through
national service and adequate financing. (Applause.)
The present system is unacceptable, not only for
students, but for the taxpayers as well. It's complicated and
it's expensive. It costs the taxpayers of our country about $4
billion every year to finance the student loan program because of
loan defaults and the cost of administering the program. And I
believe we can do better.
Beyond reforming this system for financing higher
education, the national service program more importantly will
create new opportunities for Americans to work off outstanding
loans or to build up credits for future education and training
opportunities.
We'll ask young people all across this country and
some who aren't so young who want to further their college
education to serve in our schools as teachers or tutors in
reading and mathematics. We'll ask you to help our police forces
across the nation, training members for a new police corps that
will walk beats and work with neighborhoods and build the kind of
communities ties that will prevent crime from happening in the
first place so that our police officers won't have to spend all
their time chasing criminals. (Applause.)
We'll ask young people to work, to help control
pollution and recycle waste, to paint darkened buildings and
clean up neighborhoods. (Applause.) To work with senior
citizens and combat homelessness and help children in trouble get
out of it and build a better life. (Applause.)
And these are just a few of the things that you will
be able to, for most of the decisions about what you can do will
be made by people like those in this room, people who run the
programs represented by all of those wearing these different
kinds of tee-shirts. We don't seek a national bureaucracy. I
have spoken often about how we need to reinvent the government to
make it more efficient and less bureaucratic, to make it more
responsive to people at the grassroots level.
And I want national service to do just that. I want
it to empower young people and their communities, not to empower
yet another government bureaucracy in Washington. This is going
to be your program at your level with your people. (Applause.)
And as you well know, that's what's happening all
across America today. People are already serving their neighbors
in their neighborhoods. Just this morning, I was inspired to see
and to speak with students from Rutgers serving their community,
from mentoring young people as Big Sisters, to helping older
people learn new skills.
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I met a lady today who has 13 grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren who dropped out of school the year before I
was born -- is about to become a high school graduate shortly
because of the efforts of this program. (Applause.) Is she back
there? Stand up. (Applause.)
I'm impressed by the spirit behind the Rutgers civic
education and community service program: the understanding that
community service enriches education, that students should not
only take the lessons they learn in class out into the community,
but bring the lessons they learn in the community back into the
classroom. (Applause.)
And that spirit, during this academic year alone,
more than 800 students from Rutgers are contributing more than
60,000 hours of community service -- in New Brunswick, in Camden,
in Newark, throughout this state. (Applause.)
This morning I also met with members of the New
Jersey Youth Corps. Here they are. (Applause.) Stand up.
(Applause.) Young people who are looking for a second chance at
school, and who when coming back to finish their high school
degrees, also serve in their communities. Through this program,
more than 6,500 young adults have contributed over 900,000 hours
of service to the state of New Jersey. (Applause.)
They've done everything from paint senior citizens'
homes, to tutor and mentor children in after-school programs.
For the future of our state and nation, we need more young people
like those in the New Jersey Youth Corps who exemplify the spirit
of service.
That spirit also moves people all across the nation.
In my state, there's a young woman named Antoinette Jackson,
who's a senior in a small community called Gauld, Arkansas.
She's a member of the Delta Service Corps. The rural Mississippi
Delta is still the poorest place in America. And in that area,
she works with a "Lend a Hand" program which runs a thrift shop
to provide hungry and homeless people with food and clothing.
And in return, the Delta Four is going to help her attend college
so that she can make an even greater contribution. (Applause.)
The spirit of service also moves a young man I met
about a year ago named Stephen Spalos, who works with a City Year
program in Boston. At age 23, he's had some hard times in his
life. But as he puts it, City Year gave him a place and the
tools to be able to start over. He works as a team leader, a
mentor, a tutor, a project manager for a bunch of young people
who restore senior citizens' homes.
Last year when I visited his project, he literally
took his sweatshirt off his back and gave it to me so that I
would never forget the kids at City Year. And I still wear it
when I go jogging, always remembering what they're doing in
Boston to help those kids. (Applause.)
The spirit of service moves Orah Fireman, a graduate
of Wesleyan College. As a sophomore in high school, she worked
with disadvantaged children in upstate New York. That experience
changed her life. And during her high school and college years
she continued to work with children. And now that she is out of
college, she has begun what will probably be a lifetime of
service by working at a school for emotionally disturbed children
in Boston. She wants other people to have the opportunity to
serve, and she wrote this: Service work teaches responsibility
and compassion. It fights alienation by proving to young people
that they can make a difference. There is no lesson more
important than that.
Well, there are stories like this in this room and
all across America. And we're going to create thousands of more
of them through national service. We'll work with groups with
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proven track records to serve their community, giving them the
support they need. And if you have more good ideas, if you're
entrepreneurs of national service, we'll let you compete for our
form of venture capital -- develop new programs to serve your
neighbors. That's how we want the national service program to
grow every year -- rewarding results, building on success, and
bubbling up from the grassroots energy and compassion and
intellect of America.
I don't want service to wait while this potential is
wasted. That's why I want to make this summer a summer of
service, when young people can not only serve their communities,
but build a foundation for a new national effort. I've asked
Congress to invest in and I'm asking young people to participate
in a special effort in national service and leadership training
just this summer. We are going to recruit about 1,000 young
people from every background -- from high school dropouts to
college graduates, to send to an intensive leadership training
program for national service at the beginning of the summer.
Then we'll ask them to work on one of our country's
most urgent problems, helping our children who are in danger of
losing their God-given potential. Some of them will tutor. Some
will work on programs to immunize young children from preventible
childhood diseases. Some will help to develop and run
recreational centers or reclaim urban parks from dealers and
debris. Some will counsel people a few years younger than
themselves to keep them out of gangs and into good activities.
And everyone will learn about serving our country and helping our
communities.
At the end of this summer, we'll bring all these
people together for several days of debriefing and training, and
then they'll all join in a youth service summit. I will attend
the meeting and I expect to listen a lot more than I talk. I'll
ask leaders from Congress, from business, labor, religious, and
community groups to attend the youth service summit, too. We'll
give those who serve the honor they deserve, and we'll learn a
lot more about how to build this national service program. And
from the thousand pioneers of this summer, I want the national
service to grow 100-fold in the next four years. (Applause.)
But even when hundreds of thousands are serving, I
want to maintain the pioneer spirit of this first few months,
because national service can make America new again. It can help
solve our problems, educate our people, and build our communities
back together. So ifanybody here would like to be one of those
1,000 -- or if anybody who is listening to this speech by radio
or television or reads about it and would like to be one of those
1,000, drop me a card at the White House and just mark it
national service. We're going to pick them. And I can't promise
you'll be selected, but I promise you'll be considered. I want
to engage the energies of America in this effort. (Applause.)
I also want to say that you shouldn't wait for the
summer or for a new program. We need to begin now. We are going
to be looking for the kinds of ideas that we ought to be funding
This is Monday. I ask you by Friday -- every one of you -- to
think about what you think you can do and what we should do to to
agents of renewal; to talk with your parents, your clergy, your
friends, your teachers, to join the effort to renew our community
and to rebuild our country; and to write to me about what you are
doing. It's time for millions of us to change our country block
by block, neighborhood by neighborhood -- time to return to our
roots an excitement, an idealism, and an energy. (Applause.)
I have to tell you that there are some among us who
do not believe that young Americans will answer a call to action,
who believe that our people now measure their success merely in
the accumulation of material things. They believe this call to
service will go unanswered. But I believe they are dead wrong.
(Applause.)
- 8 -
And so, especially to the young Americans here, I
ask you to prove that those who doubt you are wrong about your
generation. And today I ask all of you who are young in spirit
-- whether you are a 10-year-old in a service program in our
schools who reads to still younger children, or a 72-year-old who
has become a foster grandparent -- I ask you all to believe that
you can contribute to your community and your country. And in so
doing, you will find the best in yourself.
You will learn the lessons about your life that you
might not ever learn any other way. You will learn again that
each of us has the spark of potential to accomplish something
truly and enduringly unique. You will experience the
satisfaction of making a connection in a way with another person
that you could do in no other way. You will learn that the joy
of mastering a new skill or discovering a new insight is exceeded
only by the joy of helping someone else do the same thing. You
will know the satisfaction of being valued not for what you own
or what you earn or what position you hold, but just because of
what you have given to someone else. (Applause.) You will
understand in personal ways the wisdom of the words spoken years
ago by Martin Luther King who said "Everybody can be great
because everybody can serve." (Applause.)
I ask you all, my fellow Americans, to support our
proposal for national service and to live a proposal for national
service; to learn the meaning of America at its best, and to
recreate for others America at its best. We are not just another
country. We have always been a special kind of community, linked
by a web of rights and responsibilities, and bound together, not
by bloodlines, but by beliefs. At an age in time when people all
across the world are being literally torn apart by racial
hatreds, by ethnic hatreds, by religious divisions, we are a
nation, with all of our problems, where people can come together
across racial and religious lines and hold hands and work
together, not just to endure our differences, but to celebrate
them. I ask you to make America celebrate that again.
(Applause.)
I ask you, in closing, to commit yourselves to this
season of service because America needs it. We need every one of
you to live up to the fullest of your potential, and we need you
to reach those who are not here and who will never hear this
talk, and who will never have the future they could otherwise
have if not for something that you could do. The great challenge
of your generation is to prove that every person here in this
great land can live up to the fullest of their God-given
capacity. If we do it, the 21st century will be the American
century. The American Dream will be kept alive if you will today
answer the call to service.
Thank you, and God bless you all. (Applause.)
END
1:50 P.M. EST
HORINE 3/2/93
NATIONAL SERVICE: SCALED-BACK, SYMBOLIC, BUT TOO COSTLY?
In a 35-minute speech to students at Rutgers Univ., Pres.
Clinton "outlined" a five-year, $9.5 billion national service
program. Clinton: "It is time for millions of us to change our
country block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood -- time to
return to our roots, an excitement, and idealism, and an energy."
Clinton was "enthusiastically greeted" by students but "offered
few specifics" to the plan, except that if approved by Congress,
"the program could begin this summer with 1,000 people and grow
to include 100,000 by 1997" (Kiely, Bergen RECORD, 3/2). Clinton
outlined the plan on the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the
Peace Corps, and was joined on the dais by the first Peace Corp.
dir., Sargent Shriver. Also joining Clinton were Sens. Bradley
(D-NJ), Kennedy (D-MA), Dodd (D-CT), Pell (D-RI), Rockefeller (D-
WV), NJ Gov. Florio (D) and ex-NJ Govs. Byrne (D) and Kean (R)
(Bowers, Bridgewater COURIER-NEWS, 3/2). While Clinton "invoked"
the Peace Corps, he said the program would be closer to the GI
Bill (Weissman, ASBURY PARK-PRESS, 3/2). Newark STAR-LEDGER's
Wald notes it was Clinton's first visit to NJ since the election,
and Clinton received "a tumultuous reception from a capacity
crowd" (3/2). RECORD's Hendrie writes, "the youthful audience
welcomed" Clinton to Rutgers "with a reception worthy of a rock
star. The wooden bleachers shook and the gymnasium echoed to
rhythmic foot-stomping. Teenagers squealed and schoolchildren
snapped flash pictures. Clinton conducted the audience like a
maestro -- he waved first to one side of the hall, then to the
other, with the crowd exploding in applause on cue" (3/2).
NATIONAL VIEW: Balto. SUN's West: "Clinton's sales effort
was long on sweeping rhetoric and historic symbolism but devoid
of specifics, including how the plan would work" (3/2). W.
POST's Devroy: "Instead of outlining the program in detail,
Clinton rallied an enthusiastic audience of young people behind
the concept of community service as an essential part of the
American character" (3/2). USA TODAY's Nagourney notes the
program was unveiled "with much fanfare but little funding"
(3/2). N.Y. TIMES' Friedman notes Clinton "marshaled some very
new and some very old political messengers" by doing an interview
with MTV while Sargent Shriver worked the press room (3/2). W.S.
JOURNAL's Birnbaum & Trost write, "some of the bugs haven't yet
been worked out of the plan. For example, the spending is
premised on a certain number of young people seeking aide; Mr.
Clinton said
for the first time that if too many people sign
up, a limit would have to be imposed" (3/2). BOSTON GLOBE's
Flint notes, "the private system of banks, secondary markets,
guarantee agencies and collectors that currently provide $15
billion in student loans annually are mounting a formidable
challenge, saying Clinton's proposal will add billions to the
deficit" (3/1). W. TIMES' Taylor reports, "about 60 bankers, who
were successful last year in killing proposed changes in the
student loan program,' announced plans to lobby Congress against
the program (3/2). "Lead or Leave" weighs in its own community
service idea: To further "pressure" Congress, the group proposes
that, if Congress halves the deficit by '96, in turn, "citizens
will donate a half-day of community service to a cause of their
choice" (Lead or Leave release, 3/1).
TV: NBC's Brokaw: "It was one of his favorite campaign
themes, a way for young people to repay their college loans.
That was the ideal -- today, the scaled-down reality." NBC's
Mitchell: "Once again, Clinton has proved that there is a big
difference between what he promised as a candidate and what he
can deliver as President" (3/1). ABC's Jennings: "A program
which is clearly, very close to his heart and in many way
inspired by the man who so attracted him to government" (3/1).
CNN's Shaw: "Though [Clinton] denies it, it falls short of his
campaign promises" (3/1). CBS's Rather: "Today's announcement
was for a scaled-back, pilot program" (3/1). MTV's Tabitha
Soren: "His youth package invokes the same spirit of commitment
and idealism that President John F. Kennedy called upon when he
created the Peace Corps" (3/1). NBC's "Today" aired part of
Clinton's MTV interview with Tabitha Soren (3/2). GOP strategist
Bill Kristol: "You got a program here that's unnecessary.
Kennedy did the Peace Corps, so Clinton has to do an equivalent
to the Peace Corps.
This isn't reform, this is just more
middle class subsidy. " Dem pollster Celinda Lake: "This is a
real one thousand points of light." U.S. NEWS' Steve Roberts:
"This is one of the few areas where people can agree government
has a role" ("FOX Morning News," 3/2).
IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME? W. POST editorial: "There is an
undeniable appeal to the president's call. It's good to hear a
renewed emphasis on the people's partnership with their
government. But can such a civic compact meet a budget compact?
The discussion has got to deepen" (3/2). Columnist Doug Bandow:
"Alas, Mr. Clinton's scheme would likely end up no bargain. It
would expand federal power, politicize the independent sector,
increase the already nightmarish deficit and siphon tens of
thousands of young people out of productive private labor and
into make-work projects" (W.S. JOURNAL, 3/2). USA TODAY
editorial: "Before the nation buys national service for all, it
must face the bill. Otherwise, students would pay twice -- once
with service and later in higher taxes" (3/2).
(c) The American Political Network, Inc.
The National Service' Boondoggle
By DOUG BANDOW
state, with work for the latter equated to
dollar going to national service will yield
$60,000-say. $40,000 in tuition breaks
Pacifist William James hated war but
service to the former.
more benefits than an additional dollar
and $20,000-plus in salary and health
liked its fruit. In 1910, he penned words
Opportunities for genuine service
spent on medical research. technological
benefits-for "serving" two years. That's
that have become well-nigh immortal.
abound. Roughly 80 million people now
innovation or any number of other pur-
over $9 billion for 150,000 participants.
calling for a "moral equivalent of war" in
participate in some volunteer activities.
poses, private and public.
not counting the costs of the federal bu-
which "the martial virtues" would be in-
Much more could be done. of course. But
Another problem involves the mili-
reaucracy necessary to manage the pro-
culcated in young men in peacetime. "Our
the remedy is not yet another federal pro-
tary. The end of the Cold War has
gram.
gilded youths would be drafted off," he
gram.
slowed recruiting. Providing educational
Alas, Mr. Clinton's scheme would
wrote, "to get the childishness knocked
Another bias held by national-service
benefits, long an important military ve-
likely end up no bargain. It would expand
out of them. and to come back into society
advocates is that "public" service is in-
hicle for attracting college-capable
federal power. politicize the independent
with healthier sympathies and soberer
herently better than private service. What
youth. for civilian work may hinder re-
sector, increase an already nightmarish
ideas.'
makes shelving books in a library more
cruiting for what remains the most fun-
deficit and siphon tens of thousands of
James's vision became the fount of a
laudable or valuable than stocking shelves
damental form of national service-de-
young people out of productive private la-
host of contradictory proposals involving
in a bookstore? Private-sector workers-
fending the country.
bor and into make-work projects.
military conscription, universal civilian
health-care professionals. medical and
Still. what of the serious problems con-
What we need instead is a renewed
service and voluntary programs. The lat-
scientific researchers, business entrepre-
fronting us? In many instances the gov-
commitment to individual service-some
est is President Clinton's plan. unveiled at
neurs and inventors, artists-provide
ernment bars effective private responses.
part-time, some full-time: some through
Rutgers yesterday. to provide as many as
enormous public benefits.
Minimum wage laws forbid the hiring of
the family, some through churches and
150,000 students with two years of college
Moreover, the implementation prob-
dedicated but unskilled people and inhibit
some through civic groups. America's
tuition for every year of service in a gov-
lems are dizzying. Mr. Clinton said that
rehabilitation programs, like that run by
strength is its combination of humanitar-
ernment-approved job.
he would not allow any job displacement,
the Salvation Army: restrictions on para-
ian impulses, private association and di-
Mr. Clinton's program is nothing new.
which would prevent participants from
transit operations limit private trans-
versity. Which is why we should keep the
In 1988. the Democratic Leadership Coun-
performing the most valuable work. Any
portation for the disabled.
"national" out of service.
cil. to which he belonged, proposed a mas-
job that could possibly be handled by a
In any case, only narrowly targeted re-
sive "Citizens Corps" of young people.
union member would have to be excluded
sponses-attracting a few thousand extra
Mr. Bandow is a fellow at the Cato Insti-
The program was premised on alleged
to avoid unremitting labor opposition.
caregivers for the terminally ill, for in-
tute. He is the author of "Human Resources
American decadence, self-absorption and
More important. what work would par-
stance-are likely to work. The pervasive
and Defense Manpower," published by Na-
selfishness, inflamed during the "decade
ticipants do? Today the Peace Corps and
fraud and waste endemic to "public ser-
of greed." as the 1980s were dubbed.
vice" programs like CETA hardly augur
tional Defense University.
Vista, along with the more than 60 state
Candidate Clinton was too interested
and local programs, involve only some
well for yet another large-scale federal ef-
in being elected president to criticize po-
18,000 people. How would we employ
fort at social engineering.
tential voters in these terms, however.
150,000, 250,000, 500,000 or more people?
Further. imagine the bureaucracy nec-
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
He used more positive rhetoric to propose
They would meet "unmet social
essary to decide what jobs constitute "ser-
allowing 250,000 or more people to work
needs,' national-service advocates re-
vice." Who would sort through union ob-
Peter R. Kann
Kenneth L Burengs
Chairman & Publisher
President
off their student loans through govern-
spond. But as long as human wants are
jections to "unfair competition," match
ment service. Deficit concerns have
unlimited, the real number of "unmet"
hundreds of thousands of participants to
individual posts and monitor the quality of
Pani L Staiger
Robert L Bartley
caused the administration to propose
social (as well as business) "needs" is in-
Managing Editor
Editor
starting with a pilot program. to be ex-
finite. It is meaningless to talk about mil-
people's work? Consider the disastrous
Byron & Calame
Daniel Henninger
panded over time. Still, Mr. Clinton said
lions of "unmet" needs; and since labor is
mess made of the student loan program
Deputy Managing Editor
Deputy Editor,
in his radio address last Saturday that he
not a free resource, it would be even more
by the Education Department: not sur-
Editorial Page
ultimately wants to reach "hundreds of
foolish to try to satisfy all of them.
prisingly, the Congressional Research
thousands of students.'
The key to the national service debate
Service has warned that the government
Denforth W. Austin
Paul C. Atkinson
Service seems so obviously a good
is opportunity costs. Paying young people
cannot administer the program as effi-
Vice President,
Vice President,
thing that many people automatically em-
to shelve library books requires forgoing
ciently as the private sector. An unwieldy
Circulation
Advertising
brace politicians who use the phrase "na-
both whatever else could be done with the
bureaucracy enforcing the controls that
F. Thomas Kall Jr.
Charles F. Russell
tional service." The basic question. how-
money they are paid and whatever else
inevitably follow federal money is not
Vice President,
Vice President.
ever, is service to whom? Proposals for
the participants would do. Indeed, the
likely to promote inexpensive and innova-
Operations
Technology
national service assume that citizens are
Clinton program would delay the entry of
tive solutions to human needs.
responsible not to each other but to the
hundreds of thousands of people into
Even worse. federal involvement is
Published since 1889 by
state. Even voluntary programs like Mr.
higher educational studies and the work
likely to politicize private humanitarian
DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC.
Clinton's imply a unity of society and
force. There is no reason to assume that a
activities. Congressmen oppose efforts to
Editorial and Corporate Headquarters:
close local government offices; interest
200 Liberty Street, New York. N.Y. 10281.
groups twist social programs to their ben-
Telephone (212) 416-2000
Notable & Quotable
efit; labor unions block proposals to con-
Peter R. Kann. Chairman & Chief Executive
tract out work. Imagine the likely infight-
Officer;
Kenneth L Burenga, President & Chuef Operating
ing over a program involving the services
Officer;
A terrorist explaining how he selects
revolutionary and anarchist in inception.
of hundreds of thousands of young peo-
James H. Ottaway Jr., Peter G. Skinner.
a target in Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel
there would be fools enough to give such
ple. What, for instance, will Mr. Clinton
Carl M. Valenti, Senior Vice Presidents
"The Secret Agent":
an outrage the character of a religious
say when the Democratic Party's favorite
Vice Presidents: Charles I. Brady Jr Wilham R.
This is what you should try for. An at-
manifestation. And that would detract
political, sexual and social lobbies, like
Clabby, Richard J. Levine. Dorothes Coccols Palsho.
tempt upon a crowned head or on a presi-
from the especial alarming significance
Act Up and Planned Parenthood, come
Information Services; Bernard T. Planagan Marketing;
dent is sensational enough in a way, but
calling to demand "their" quotas of ser-
Karen Elliott House. International Donald L Miller,
we wish to give to the act. A murderous
Employee Relations: David E Moran. Law: Kevin J
not so much as it used to be. It has entered
tempt on a restaurant or a theatre would
vice workers?
Roche. Finance. Richard Myers. President Uttaway
into the general conception of the exis-
suffer in the same way from the sugges-
Finally. money has to be an issue
Newspapers; Julian B. Childs. Executive Vice
tence of all chiefs of state. It's almost con-
tion of non-political passion: the exaspera-
when the president is calling for massive
President, Telerate.
ventional-especially since so many presi-
tion of a hungry man, an act of social re-
tax hikes. The administration is initially
dents have been assassinated. Now let us
venge.
A bomb outrage to have any in-
proposing to spend $9.5 billion over five
Washington News and Sales Office:
1025 Connecticut Ave. NW. Washington. D.C. 20036
take an outrage upon-say a church. Hor-
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rible enough at first sight, no doubt. and
yond the intention of vengeance or
quickly. Providing participants with two
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADDRESS CHANGES
yet not so effective as a person of an ordi-
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THE
Continued From Page B1
heart procedures, much the way many
companies already do for mental health
and prescription-drug benefits. Delta Air
Lines announced in January that it has se-
lected six hospitals around the U.S. to
provide heart services to its employees.
One of the hospitals is St. Joseph's
of Atlanta, where Dr. Knopf and his
colleagues at Atlanta Cardiology Group do
their inpatient procedures. The same hos-
pital was one of the four original partici-
pants in a federal demonstration project to
provide bypass surgery to Medicare bene-
ficiaries for a price that bundled both
hospital and physician fees.
The network is an outgrowth of the
demonstration project, in which doctors,
administrators and nurses worked to
streamline procedures, reduce hospital
stays and cut out tests that didn't improve
mon, high-cost procedures. Kevin Gra-
care. Dr. Knopf figured doctors around the
ham, a cardiologist at Minneapolis Heart
U.S. could use strategies from the project
Institute, says he expects the network to
to attract private sector customers. "Cor-
develop preventive services and ways to
porations were looking for a global fee
link up with primary care doctors, who
package that was low cost and still main-
first treat patients with heart disease.
tained quality," Dr. Knopf says.
"We have to do cardiovascular care,
In November, he met with colleagues at
not just take off the high-ticket items." he
about a half-dozen other practices, includ-
says. Corporate purchasers increasingly
ing the Minneapolis Heart Institute; the
are interested in directing their employees
Mid-America Heart Institute, Kansas City;
to health plans that demonstrate the abil-
and the Indiana Heart Institute, Indianap-
olis. These organizers then invited repre-
ity to not only provide major procedures
at low cost but also to prevent the need
sentatives from 65 groups around the U.S.
to a meeting in January. So far, 45 have
for the procedures in the first place.
been invited to join the network, based on
death rates, length of hospital stays. vol-
ume of procedures and other factors. How
many doctors and hospitals will ultimately
participate isn't clear.
In addition to corporations, organ-
2/2
izers hope the network will attract health
maintenance organizations looking for
high-quality. low-cost services, and even
Medicare, which now has seven hospitals
in its bundled-fee program. "We hope
[the government). will look at the network
as a vehicle to expand the demonstration
project," says Larry Byrne of LBA Con-
sulting Inc., Denver. who is helping to
organize the network.
Meantime, the network will collect data
on doctors' results and evaluate strategies
to control costs in an effort to develop
standard approaches to treatment. In the
Medicare project, for instance, doctors at
St. Joseph's remove chest-drainage tubes
within 24 hours instead of the usual 48,
improving healing and helping to shorten
hospital stays.
While the immediate focus is on com-
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
3/2/93
77
Clinton's call to service
$7.4 billion
plan short
on details
By Adam Nagourney
USA TODAY
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - With
much fanfare but little funding,
President Clinton on Monday
unveiled his plan to implement
his most-applauded campaign
promise: providing universal
college scholarships repaid by
public service.
Clinton cast his idea in his-
toric terms, borrowing liberal-
ly on the legacies of John F.
Kennedy's Peace Corps and
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's
Depression-era public works
projects, as he issued a distinct-
ly generational "call to ser-
vice" to students here.
"There are some among us
who do not believe that young
Americans will answer a call to
action, who believe that our
people now measure their suc-
cess merely in the accumula-
tion of material things," Clinton
said. "They believe this call to
service will go unanswered.
But I believe they are dead
wrong. The American
By Win McNamee. Reuters
dream will be kept alive if you
PRESIDENTIAL APPLAUSE: President Clinton cheers Danyelle Marshall, a member of the New
will answer the call to service."
Jersey Youth Corps who cried while telling her story at a meeting in New Brunswick, N.J.
In the Rutgers University
speech, timed to coincide with
ating a corps of public service
the 32nd anniversary of Ken-
TRADING LOANS FOR PUBLIC WORKS
jobs without displacing munici-
nedy's creation of the Peace
pal workers who strongly sup-
Corps, Clinton described his na-
Inside President Clinton's national service proposal:
ported him.
tional service plan in the same
WHO: 1,000 students for this summer's pilot project;
Similarly, Clinton repeatedly
upbeat, broad terms that he did
growing to 25,000 next year, then 100,000 in 1997. This
said the program would not
in the campaign. It would, he
year, 14 million Americans attend college. Of those, rough-
create a new bureaucracy be-
said, allow anyone to work off
ly 5 million are using $5.1 billion in federal loans.
cause it would delegate a lot of
loans with public service jobs.
But the White House later
COST: $15 million this year, totaling $7.4 billion over the
powers to the states. "There
next four years if fully implemented.
will be no fraud or abuse in this
described the plan in more lim-
ited terms.
ELIGIBLE: Students before, during, after college.
program," Segal insisted.
Some educators were skepti-
It would be at least four
HOW: Students would trade a year of service for two
cal about the effort.
years until everyone who want-
years of loans. Type of service remains unknown.
Bruce Johnstone, chancellor
ed to participate in the jobs
PAYBACK: Students could skip public service and pay
of the State University of New
program would have the
loans based on a percentage of their income. Aim: encour-
York, said the program would
chance. This assumes that
100,000 students will want to
age graduates to enter lower-paying but critical profes-
not do much to help students
sions such as teaching and public health service.
afford escalating education
enroll in the plan.
"We think we'll be able to ac-
OTHER BENEFITS: Students in national service would re-
costs.
commodate over the next four
ceive small stipends, probably close to minimum wage and
"What I fear is that someone
years everyone who chooses
based on the hours spent in community service.
might think, the president
might think, he has solved the
the service option," Clinton
higher-education program,"
said. "We think we will. But we
tuition and stipends to students
dy, D-Mass., who sat behind
Johnstone said. "And he will
have to build it up a little in the
working for one or two years in
Clinton at the speech.
not have."
first year or two SO we learn
public service jobs.
Rep. Bill Ford, D-Mich.,
But Keith Geiger, president
how to do it."
Under the Clinton plan, stu-
chairman of the committee
of the National Education As-
In addition, students would
dents could pay back the loans
that would review the bill, de-
sociation, said that even an ad-
then be eligible for loans that
either with the work or at low
clared that "We have an oppor-
dition of 100,000 public service
cover only part of the cost of
interest rates.
tunity to build a new domestic
jobs was significant. "Kids to-
their education bill.
Clinton's proposal also would
Peace Corps."
day are much less into the
Eli Segal, director of the na-
revamp the college loan pro-
Republicans said they were
money part of it and more
tional service program, said no
gram so it could be repaid by a
wary about the risks of creat-
into wanting a college degree
figures had been set, but sug-
percentage of income.
ing a new big-ticket federal en-
and doing something for this
gested that loans would be
Clinton argued that would
titlement program.
country," he said.
close to $6,300, the average
encourage people to go into
But even they offered some
Said Richard Rosser, presi-
debt incurred by students over
low-paying public service jobs,
praise. Rep. Susan Molinari, R-
dent of the National Associa-
four years.
and reduce the number of peo-
N.Y., said while there were po-
tion of Independent Colleges
An average four-year public
ple who default on loans, now
tential problems, "what I think
and Universities: "For students
education is now $22,000, with
costing $4 billion a year.
he's trying to do, and I really
all across the country, this is
private education running as
The program received
agree with this, is to bring back
just a net gain - no question
much as three times that
warm reviews from congres-
a spirit of hope."
about it."
Clinton's national service
sional leaders. "Once again, a
Clinton offered no details on
Contributing: Dennis Kelly
program would cost $7.4 billion
president is asking Americans
how he would fulfill what has
and William M. Welch
over the next four years. By the
to do something for their coun-
always been one of the most
fourth year, that would cover
try," said Sen. Edward Kenne-
difficult parts of the plan: cre-
Clinton's plan, 1A
THE NATION NEWSPAPER
USA
TODAY
PUBLISHED GANNETT
President A-1
says NRA
is in 'error'
By Adam Nagourney
USA TODAY
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Pres-
ident Clinton, waiting along
with the nation for the standoff
in Texas to end, Monday chal-
lenged the National Rifle Asso-
ciation for being "fixated" in its
opposition to gun control.
"It is an error for (the NRA)
to oppose every attempt to
bring some safety and some ra-
tionality" to the issue, he said.
"It's not going to kill anybody
to wait a couple of days to get a
handgun," he said.
Clinton has long supported
passage of the Brady Bill,
which imposes a waiting peri-
od for handgun buyers.
Clinton also praised New
Jersey Gov. Jim Florio and Vir-
ginia Gov. Douglas Wilder for
pushing tough gun-control leg-
islation in their states.
His remarks follow Sunday's
shootout near Waco, Texas, be-
tween federal agents and
members of a religious sect.
Four Bureau of Alcohol, To-
bacco and Firearms agents,
and two sect members died.
The ATF had warrants to
seach for weapons and arrest
sect leader David Koresh.
As the second day of the
standoff was ending, more than
300 federal, state and local offi-
cers surrounded the heavily
fortified compound. Negotia-
tions were continuing
THE NATIONS NEWSPAPER
USA
TODAY
PUBLISHED BY GANNETT
3-2-93
A18 TUESDAY. MARCH 2. 1993
The Washington Post
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
A Call to Service
HAT WAS a rousing speech President Clin-
from the government, to further his education.
T
ton gave yesterday on national service. It was
Repayment would be contingent on postgraduate
less an introduction to a new government
income, or graduates could opt to perform national
program than a reintroduction to an older ethic. The
service to defray their debt. In this way, the adminis-
American community has splintered apart, Mr. Clin-
tration hopes to expand opportunity and cut down on
ton says. Service to one's country, in one's country,
defaults.
can repair it. He spoke of a dedicated civilian corps
The national service project would begin small,
that would tutor students, paint buildings, immunize
with a summer pilot, but end big. The president has
children, pick up trash, befriend the aged. These
requested $7.4 billion over the next four years, by
mostly young "agents of renewal" would change the
which time he hopes 100,000 people will be partici-
country "block by block, neighborhood by neighbor-
pating.
hood." This is a vision Mr. Clinton can't let go of.
While the big picture is clear, the details are not.
Who can fault his idealism and optimism for attempt-
Eligibility has not been determined for students or
ing to do in the 1990s what the GI Bill and the Peace
programs. What if there are more applicants for a
Corps did in earlier eras?
specific program than slots? Would acceptance be
The speech also served as a reorientation to the
based on need or lottery? Nor has anyone deter-
government's student aid programs. The administra-
mined the precise value of the national service to be
tion would like to make it easier for students to pay
performed. Would two years of service in, say, a
for college by replacing a financing system that is
classroom be worth $5,000 or $10,000? Clearly not
both complicated and expensive. Subsidized, guaran-
all student debts would be forgiven. And cost is a
teed loans administered by banks have come to
wild card, particularly when no one knows how many
replace grants as the primary form of assistance.
will choose service over repayment. Won't such a
Parents and their children are now forced to bear
plan add to the already substantial subsidy of higher
more of the cost of post-secondary education be-
education, when stipends, health care and child care
cause grants can no longer match ever-rising tu-
become part of the deal?
itions. Defaults drain the Treasury of billions every
There is an undeniable appeal to the president's
year.
call. It's good to hear a renewed emphasis on the
Mr. Clinton would simplify the system while
people's partnership with their government. But can
changing its philosophical underpinnings. Everyone
such a civic compact meet a budget compact? The
would have the chance to borrow money, directly
discussion has got to deepen.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1993
Clinton Offers Tuition Aid
Linked to National Service
tion officials want It based around ex-
isting community service projects,
which would be certified as authentic
by the Federal Government, and then
be allowed to enlist a set number of
graduates for jobs and be partly reim-
bursed for their salaries by the Gov-
Many listeners echoed the idea of
service - and saving money. "I
thought his speech really energized ev-
erybody," said Jackie Frank, a 20-
year-old junior. Pointing to a friend,
she added, "We were just saying a lot
of people are going to become a lot
more involved, and with being able to
earn tuition for it is a great way to do
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Special to The New York Times
clean up neighborhoods, to work with
ernment.
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., March 1 -
President Clinton today outlined a plan
senior citizens and combat homeless-
for a national service program for col-
ness and help children in trouble."
lege students that combined broad am-
Mr. Clinton said national service "is
bitions, high ideals and a modest begin-
nothing less than the American way to
ning.
change America."
The program, which would begin
To buttress his call to service, Mr.
with a 1,000-student pilot project this
Clinton marshaled some very new and
summer and expand to 100,000 by 1997,
some very old political messengers
would allow students to help pay off
After his speech, he ducked into the
their tuition debts by working as teach-
men's locker room and taped an inter-
ers or police officers, or with the home-
view on national service with Tabitha
less.
Soren of MTV for broadcast late to
Speaking to a wildly enthusiastic
night.
Rutgers University audience on the 32d
In his campaign manifesto, "Putting
anniversary of President John F. Ken-
Shriver Approves
People First," Mr. Clinton proposed to
"scrap the existing student loan pro-
gram and establish a National Service
Trust Fund to guarantee every Ameri-
can who wants a college education the
In his speech in Madison Square Gar-
den accepting the Democratic nomina-
tion, Mr. Clinton declared: "We'll say:
everybody can borrow the money to go
to college. But you must do your part.
You must pay it back - from your
paychecks, or better yet, by going back
home and serving your communities.
To prevent the establishment of a
huge bureaucracy. Clinton Administra-
nedy's founding of the Peace Corps,
While Mr. Clinton was performing
means to obtain one."
Mr. Clinton called on young Americans
for MTV behind the scenes, a voice
from the past, R. Sargent Shriver, Ken-
nedy's brother-in-law and the first di-
Some of the
rector of the Peace Corps, was brought
to the press room by White House aides
to put the stamp of approval on Mr.
Peace Corps
Clinton's initiative.
spirit without the
Mr. Shriver provided not only the
expected endorsement but some sober-
ing contrasts between the Kennedy eΓa,
largess.
when the problem of getting people tc
serve seemed to be just a shortage of
will, to the Clinton era, when the prob-
to "answer the call to service" at home
lem is also a shortage of money.
with the same spirit that an earlier
"This program is appropriate for
generation answered Kennedy's call
100,000 students, according to the White
House. Mr. Clinton has already asked
for the financing as part of the econom-
ic recovery package he presented to
As outlined by Mr. Clinton, the pro-
gram would work like this: students
would do community service jobs for a
set number of years for part or all of
their tuition, for either college or certi-
fied technical training. They could do
today, as opposed to when we started
the community service before college,
and earn part or all of their tuition in
advance, or borrow directly from the
Federal Government and pay it back
slowly as a percentage of their income,
through payroll deductions or as part
for service abroad.
the Peace Corps," Mr. Shriver said
"The reality today is that most people
constraints that Kennedy did not have
Congress.
of their income tax filings.
But reflecting some of the economic
to worry about, Mr. Clinton insisted
getting out of college have incurred
large, large debts. The climate is dif-
that he was not proposing the creation
ferent, but I think this is true: Young
of another "entitlement" program. He
vowed that his initiative could be built
people are still idealistic. They have
not been given a chance. With the budg-
around state and local institutions and
etary restrictions that now exist, it
would not require establishment of a
means it is going to be very difficult to
costly Federal bureaucracy.
get it to a huge size. That doesn't mean
A Role for Congress
it shouldn't be started, but with the
But he did not explain how, as the
shortage of money now one has to be
details are being worked out by his
satisfied with achieving modest goals.
advisers. Congressional approval
would be required, at least for financ-
Mr. Clinton emphasized that because
ing.
of budget and bureaucratic constraints
The President declared that in re-
his program would begin with a $15:
grams to children at risk of dropping
out of school and test neighborhoods
Summer of Service participants
would receive a minimum-wage sti-
pend and a post-service benefit of
$1,000 to be applied to education or
training. Mr. Clinton has asked Con-
gress to finance the program as part of
the $31 billion in spending on roads,
bridges and communication links he is
The tuition-for-service program
would also begin small, with $389 mil-
lion in scholarships for about 25,000
students in the first year, growing to
$3.4 billion by 1997, when the program
is expected to include more than
turn for tuition loans "we'll ask you to
million, eight-week "Summer of Serv-
help our police forces across the nation,
for risk of lead paint.
proposing to spur the economy.
ice" program for roughly 1,000 teen-
training members for a new police
agers from poor neighborhoods or bro-
corps, that will walk beats, and work
ken homes in up to 10 communities.
with neighborhoods and build the kind
of community ties that will prevent
What They Might Do
crime from happening in the first
Participants will would help health-
place; we'll ask young people to work
care providers administer immuniza-
to help control pollution and recycle
tion programs for young children, tutor
waste, to paint darkened buildings and
illiterates, teach recreational pro-
said.
Continued on Page A18, Column 1
Eligibility rules for the food stamp
benefits for which they' eligible,' he
program, they tend to apply for other
offices. "As people come in for one
tracting more people to social services
grams, especially Medicaid, were at-
panded eligibility rules in other pro-
ployed. And Mr. Hornbsy said that ex-
when seasonal workers are unem-
rolls always increase during the winter
But he also noted that the food stamp
for the increase is the economy.
gram, said he agreed that the reason
ment that runs the food stamp pro-
ice, the arm of the Agriculture Depart-
trator of the Food and Nutrition Serv-
Andy Hornsby, the acting adminis-
research group.
Other Factors Involved
and Policy Priorities, a Washington
tion. He now runs the Center on Budget
stamp program in Carter Administra-
Greenstein, a director of the food
income population," said Robert
had not reached very far into the low-
of December, the economic recovery
"It further indicates that, at least as
gan April 1991, is a weak one.
that the economic recovery, which be-
support President Clinton's contention
rates, analysts said the numbers
cally run parallel to unemployment
Noting that food stamp figures typi-
to more than $23 billion.
risen even more sharply, by 53 percent,
years. The cost of the program has
ly, rising 36 percent in the last three
using food stamps has grown drastical-
the 1980's, the number of Americans
After remaining stable for most of
Sharp Increases
pansion. |Page D1.]
the staying power of the economic ex-
fresh anxiety and new questions about
consumer confidence, has given way to
stock prices and a sharp upturn in
about the economy, reflected in rising
the burst of post-election optimism
string of so-so economic reports. And
stamp recipients was the latest in a
The discouraging numbers on food
cent of the population.
Americans in December, or 10.4 per-
Food stamps helped feed 26.6 million
financial bottom.
rent economic recovery for those at the
underscored the weakness of the cur-
day by the Agriculture Department
analysts said the number reported to-
at the end of the 1982 recession and
The percentage is higher even than
it began in 1964.
of Americans to use the program since
ance, making it the largest percentage
person in 10 now receiving the assist-
surged in 1992, with more than one
number of food stamp recipients
WASHINGTON, March 1 - The
Special to The New York Times
By JASON DePARLE
Hardship of the Poorest
in 1982-83 and Underscore
Figures Top Those of Recession
10.4% IN U.S. GET BENEFITS
OF WEAK RECOVERY
UP SHARPLY IN SIGN
FOOD STAMP USERS
Food Stamp Users Are Up Sharply, to 10.4% of the U.S., in Sign of Weak Recovery
Growing Demand
For Food Stamps
Continued From Page Al
past 21 months of recovery, the num
clined at all, remaining at slightly
mainder either do not know they qual-
last year. The Midwest had the slowest
ber of unemployed has actually risen
more than two million in both June and
ify, or shun the program for fear of
rise, of 3 percent.
Average monthly enrollment
program have not changed in recent
by 818,000.
December of 1992. He defined the long-
being stigmatized.
In New York and Connecticut, food
In the Federal food stamp
years.
A Note of Pessimism
term unemployed as those who been
Program officials said that 20 per.
stamp rolls grew 8 percent over the
program for fiscal years.
The percentage of Americans receiv-
unemployed for 27 weeks or longer.
cent of the heads of families on food
past year, and in New Jersey the pro-
ing food stamps at the end of the last
The discouraging gauge of economic
"This recovery differs significantly
stamps are employed and 7 percent
THE NEW YORK TIMES, TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1993
recession peaked in March 1983, when
health stands in contrast to some opti
gram grew 7 percent. The Federal
in the small number of jobs being cre-
work full time. Another 7 percent are
mistic recent reports on economic
Government pays for all food stamp
30 million
9.6 percent of the country was enrolled
ated and the limited progress to date in
elderly.
benefits; in contrast, it shares the cost
growth. Last week the Commerce De-
in the program. By contrast, 10.4 per
reducing unemployment rates," said
It is much easier to qualify for food
partment reported that the gross do
of the A.F.D.C. program with the
cent of Americans are now enrolled.
Mr. Greenstein.
stamps than for many other social pro-
states.
25
mestic product grew by 4.8 percent in
Previously, the peak was set four
The record number of food stamp
grams, including Aid to Families with
the last quarter of 1992.
The cost of the program is rising
months after the official recession's
recipients comes after recession's offi-
Dependent Children, the main Federal
20
But analysts have emphasized that
even faster than its enrollment. In part
end, and the number of people on food
cial end in part because many people
cash assistance program.
while the overall economy is growing
that is because of inflation in the price
stamps then fell off sharply, as eco
have exhausted their savings and
There are about 13.5 million Ameri-
unemployment rates have come dowr
of food. But it also reflects sagging
nomic growth took hold.
therefore qualify for Government help.
cans receiving A.F.D.C., approximate-
incomes among some of those previ-
15
more slowly than they have during
Now, however, it has been 21 months
he said. To qualify for the program, a
ly half the number on food stamps.
previous recessions. The unemploy
ously enrolled, since the less a family
after the recession's official end, and
family's income cannot exceed 130 per-
There are about 36 million Americans
ment rate was 7.3 percent in December
earns, the more food stamps it re-
10
the food stamp rolls are still expand
cent of the Federal poverty line, which
living below the poverty line.
ceives.
1992, higher than al any time during
ing.
is $13,924 for a family of four. In addi-
The number of people receiving food
1990 or 1991, and down only modestly
The maximum benefit for a family of
In the first 21 months of the last
tion, a family cannot have savings of
stamps has risen in every region of the
from its 1992 high of 7.7 percent in
four is $370 a month. The average
5
more than $2,000.
economic recovery, the number of un
country, with the West showing the
family benefit in 1992 was $173.
June.
employed Americans fell by 3.4 million
Studies have found that only about 60
sharpest gain. In that region, the num-
Mr. Greenstein said that the number
0
Mr. Greenstein said. By contrast, in the
percent of those who qualify for food
ber of people on the food stamp rolls
of long-term unemployed had not de.
'83
'86
'89
'92
stamps sign up to get them. The re-
has jumped by nearly 10 percent in the
What's Sunday without The Times?
Source: Department of Agriculture
The New York Times
National Service: Ideal VS. Reality
Clinton Must Deal With Big Political and Practical Problems
By SUSAN CHIRA
Budget estimates that $7.4 billion
But where once he and the Kenne-
As President Clinton moves to
would pay for just 100,000 students.
dys dreamed of a program that would
translate his popular campaign
The idea of national service has
involve one in every three Ameri-
promise of a national service pro.
been embraced by politicians on the
cans, Senator Wofford said he now
gram from proposal to reality, he has
left and the right. But President Clin-
believed along with Mr. Clinton that
encountered a number of obstacles
ton, unlike former President George
national service should be decentral.
that may make it difficult to achieve
Bush, is not talking about volunteer-
ized, drawing on the expertise of local
the goals he originally
ism, not at a price tag of $7.4 billion.
communities and agencies, not a Fed-
outlined.
The biggest expense would be al-
eral bureaucracy.
News
Unresolved issues in-
lowing 100,000 participants to work
Indeed, dozens of these organiza-
Analysis
clude how national Serv-
off part of their college loans or giv-
tions offer Mr. Clinton some impor-
ice workers would be
ing them scholarships for tuition for
tant lessons. A national service move-
trained and supervised,
college or certified technical training.
ment is blossoming across the coun-
how much of their educational loans
The national service workers would
try, with at least 75 state and local
students would be able to work off,
also get a living stipend.
agencies now running service pro-
how to run the program without cre-
Mr. Clinton envisions a small army
grams or youth corps, said Samuel
ating a new Federal bureaucracy and
of workers immunizing children, tu-
Halperin, director of the American
how to prevent fraud and abuse. And
toring and counseling students, clean-
Youth Policy Forum, a Washington-
the President will not have the money
ing up the environment, walking a
based service group.
to do all that he had Foriginally hoped,
police beat, enticing teen-agers from
Right now, Senator Wofford said,
even if Congress is enthusiastic.
drugs or gangs.
20,000 students work full time per.
During his Presidential campaign,
forming some sort of service, with
A second part of the program
Mr. Clinton sought to link national
another 10,000 working in the sum-
would overhaul the Federal college
service with the politically potent leg-
mer. Last year, a Congressionally
loan system, allowing students to re-
acy of the G.I. Bill, promising that his
appointed Commission on National
pay their loans as a percentage of
program would sweep away barriers
and Community Service awarded $63
their income, rather than by the set
to higher education by providing tu-
million in grants for programs.
loan payments now required. This
ition in return for national service
Heads of several of these groups
change, he argues, could swell the
and allowing students to repay loans
said that training - an issue so far
ranks of public-service workers even
as a small percentage of their in-
largely unaddressed in Mr. Clinton's
more, because It would free students
come.
national service proposal - had
who seek high-salary jobs to pay off
Not Volunteerism
proved critical in their programs'
loans to take lower-paying public in-
success. Two of the jobs Mr. Clinton
His advisers talked about 250,000 to
terest jobs instead.
has talked about most, teachers and
500,000 students in national service,
The proposed national service pro-
an auxiliary police corps, require con-
rather than the 100,000 goal an-
gram, with its 100,000 students, would
siderable and potentially expensive
nounced Monday - a tiny fraction of
dwarf the Peace Corps, which has
training. Lack of preparation was the
the 14 million students enrolled in
had as many as 16,000 volunteers, and
most common complaint among
college. And the program seems
the far smaller Volunteers in Service
young teachers in the Teach for
more expensive than he initially as-
to America (Vista), said Senator Har-
America program, itself modeled on
sumed; campaign aides estimated
ris Wofford, Democrat of Pennsylva-
the Peace Corps.
about $8 billion was needed to create
nia, the Peace Corps's first deputy
"You can't just show up at some
at least 250,000 national service slots,
director and a supporter of Mr. Clin-
place and be given a bunch of tools
while the Office of Management and
ton's plan.
and a paint brush and then say, Do
some good,' Mr. Halperin said.
The New Hork Times
3/3/93
20
d/2
Training Is Crucial
Catherine Milton, executive direc-
tor of the Commission on National
and Community Service, which would
administer the summer program
that Mr. Clinton hopes will begin his
national service effort, said training
was crucial in the programs the com-
mission had examined across the
country. The 1,000 participants in the
summer program would get a few
days of training together, then would
get more training from community
agencies the commission will pick to
conduct the actual service programs.
Students need to be trained not only
for jobs, but also about communities
and cultures they will work with, said
David Hornbeck, who helped win pas-
sage of a community service require-
ment for high school graduation in
Maryland last year.
While many local community serv-
ice agencies say they applaud Mr.
Clinton's emphasis on using local ex-
pertise and avoiding another Federal
bureaucracy, they also say that su-
pervision and accountability will
make the difference between success
and failure. Many mentioned the
Comprehensive Employment and
Training Act, abolished by former
President Ronald Reagan amid
charges of fraud and inefficiency.
"They keep saying any time we get
more than 100 Federal employees, we
want to get out of this," Mr. Halperin
said. "This is not said in oppositions,
but how do we prevent fraud and
abuse, no-shows?"
Who Would Administer?
The White House's Office of Nation-
al Service is still working out how the
program would be administered.
Some as-yet undesignated entity
would screen programs, certifying
that they met standards, and award
The New York Times
grants. The Government would also
provide capital to people who wanted
3/3/73
to found new service corps.
Although White House advisers say
national service will not displace any-
one from existing jobs, some compe-
tition IS possible. It might cost a
school less, for example, to hire na-
tional service workers than to pay for
school aides or paraprofessionals.
Finally, those with experience in
service programs say that they must
be more than feel-good exercises in
noblesse oblige. Participants must
perform tangible, measurable serv-
ices so that taxpayers believe they
are getting something.
For example, said Jim Kielsmeier,
president of the Minnesota-based Na-
tional Youth Leadership Council,
"You must be able to say national
service volunteers played a role in 25
percent of new immunizations, or
halved the student-teacher ratio in
35,000 classrooms."
21
Los Angeles Times
3/3/93
EDUCATION
Clinton's Student Aid Plan
Is Graded Down by Lenders
The Administration argues that re-
By ELIZABETH SHOGREN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
port after report has found the current
system poorly managed, inefficient and
WASHINGTON- first blush, the
derelict in collecting back loans.
idea sounds reasonable enough. Who
In addition, concerns are rising about
would object to a plan to save the
hefty profit margins for private lend-
country money and help more students
ers. Among them is the Student Loan
through college by revamping the
Marketing Assn., known as Sallie Mae.
national student loan program?
This private corporation chartered by
The Administration proposes that
Congress had a profit of nearly $400
the loans be made directly by the
million last year. and a recent GAO
government through the Education
study disclosed its president's annual
Department. At present they are of-
compensation package was $2.1 million.
fered by private financial institutions
Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.) said Tues-
and guaranteed by the government.
day that the current system amounts to
But opposition to the proposal is
"a welfare system for Sallie Mae and a
mounting, both from lawmakers and
welfare system for the banks."
the private lenders.
But Susan Hattan. minority staff
Word on Capitol Hill is that Presi-
director on the Senate Committee on
dent Clinton will have to fight if he
Labor and Human Resources, said
wants to adopt his system of direct
many Republicans and even some
student loans. Eighty representatives
Democrats have "very. very serious
of banks and other special interest
concerns" about whether a direct gov-
groups participated in a lobbying day
ernment loan program will work.
Tuesday and knocked on doors of
The banks that handle guaranteed
senators and congressmen to call at-
student loans argue that the Adminis-
tention to what they see as the poten-
tration's claims that a direct loan
tial problems of direct lending.
program would save money are unsub-
THE PLAN: The Administration would
stantiated and do not take into consid-
radically overhaul the loan system that
eration the costs of dismantling exist-
millions of students at colleges, univer-
ing programs, additional costs to
sities and trade schools use to pay for
schools or potential costs for manage-
their education. The proposal is part of
ment problems and waste and fraud.
a larger goal of providing college
Opponents' arguments were bol-
educations for more students.
stered by a recent report by the
By 1997. if the plan is approved,
Library of Congress' Congressional
students who qualify for loans would
Research Service. It said that while the
get them directly from the govern-
existing system is "inefficient" it "can-
ment, rather than through one of
not be fixed by simple conversion to a
almost 8,000 private lenders that now
direct loan program. however inviting
provide government-guaranteed loans.
such a proposal might appear."
Under one option, the Internal Reve-
OUTLOOK: Banks and other business-
nue Service would play a role in
es that have a stake in preserving the
collecting payments on loans, theoreti-
existing system-which generated 4.8
cally making it more difficult for loan
million new loans totaling more than
recipients to escape repayment.
$13 billion in 1991 alone-will wage a
THE DEBATE: A General Accounting
fierce fight to block the move. They
Office study touted by the Administra-
will try to persuade colleges that the
tion contends that by switching to a
Administration's plan would mean
direct government loan program, the
more paperwork for schools.
government could save $4.8 billion
"It's no coincidence that they not
over the first five years.
in favor of change." said Peter Ma-
"The big benefit of this is that we can
grath, president of the National Assn.
reduce the deficit by simplifying this
of State Universities and Land Grant
system." said Maureen Mclaughlin,
Colleges. who favors the Administra-
acting assistant secretary for post-sec-
tion's program. "The current system
ondary education.
gives them steady income."
The Call to National Service
President Clinton struck a chord of idealism
program would begin at 25,000 students and grow to
and commitment when he called for a new genera-
100,000 in four years.
tion of Americans to renew and repair the country
Wisely, Mr. Clinton says he will not create a
block by block in a national service program. His
mammoth Federal bureaucracy but will instead
proposal could also provide welcome help to public
build around state and local projects that have
service groups that have labored in anonymity for
already proved successful. That's a good idea, pro-
years.
vided Federal intervention doesn't disrupt valuable
But spirited as it was, Mr. Clinton's speech at
local programs.
Rutgers University this week was distressingly
A key long-term question is cost. The program
short on crucial details. The plan requires careful
will start small, costing $7.4 billion over four years.
fleshing out if it is to succeed.
But a full-scale program open to virtually all college
Mr. Clinton announced two elements of the plan
students would require careful analysis to assure
this week. The first is a "Summer of Service" in
that the educational benefits and the jobs per-
which 1,000 teen-agers will work on education,
formed were worth the taxpayer investment.
health, public safety and environmental projects.
Another key question is who will participate.
The summer workers will be given minimum-wage
Mr. Clinton mentioned City Year, a racially inte-
stipends and a post-service benefit of $1,000, to be
grated program in Boston, and is considering
applied to education or training. This could be a
YouthBuild, one that deals mainly with black drop-
useful start toward productive lives for the partici-
outs from inner cities. He was wise to consider both.
pants.
Many fear that his initiative will turn into an
The second provision allows students, mostly in
entitlement program for middle-class college stu-
college, to pay off tuition debts by working to help
dents, omitting the poor. That would be unfortunate.
police, control pollution, clean up neighborhoods
To the inner-city poor, service and contact with the
and perform other public service jobs. Students
cultural mainstream often make the difference
would fill community service jobs for a set number
between survival and oblivion.
of years, working off part or all of their tuition, for
Mr. Clinton made a promising start with his
either college or certified technical training. This
speech on Monday. The country awaits the details.
Economy Grows, Food Stamps Rise
What's with the United States economy?
more than half a year are exhausting their life
It grew at a 5 percent clip at the end of last
savings, thereby becoming eligible for food stamps.
year. But an unusually large number of the unem-
Critics of the President's plan, not all of them
ployed have been permanently laid off and have no
Republicans, say Mr. Clinton should junk his stimu-
job to reclaim as the economy recovers. Consumer
lus program because it's unnecessary and delays
confidence is high. But the number of people collect-
cutting the deficit. Their case is unpersuasive. The
ing food stamps - 26.6 million, more than 10
President's $30 billion package is too small to harm
percent of the population - has reached record
the economy even if it picks up steam on its own.
numbers.
Indeed, Mr. Clinton could easily justify a pack-
A safe conclusion is that the economy continues
age at least twice as large as the one he actually
to recover, but too slowly to bring down unemploy-
proposed. But at least he's heading in the right
ment much. That's why President Clinton's call for
direction. The stimulus will offset some of the
a short-term stimulus package still makes sense.
recessionary impact of the tax hikes and spending
Growth during the last three months of 1992
cuts he proposes to cut the long-term deficit.
was fast-paced. But judging from data released
There's another reason to support Mr. Clinton's
during the last week, the economy slacked off after
stimulus package. For the most part, the compo-
December. Adjusted for inflation, consumer spend-
are to sper long-term growth. The
ing - the usual engine of recovery - fell in
money would be spent on mass transit, education of
January; so did construction and home sales. And
poor children, childhood immunizations, youth
the Government's chief forecasting index rose just
training, environmental research and other worthy
one-tenth of 1 percent in January.
projects. Mr. Clinton decided to accelerate spending
Persistent unemployment explains why food
on the projects just in case the economy needed an
stamp use has risen to an all-time high. The two
extra nudge this year and next. Based on confusing
million workers who have been unemployed for
data, that's a wise insurance policy.
The New Hork Times
18
3-3-93
THE BOSTON GLOBE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH
DRUG COMPANIE
AS EXCESSIVE
The Boston Blobe
Founded 1872
WILLIAM 0. TAYLOR, Chairman of the Board and Publisher
RICHARD C. OCKERBLOOM, President
MATTHEW V. STORIN, Editor
BENJAMIN B. TAYLOR, Executive Vice President
LORETTA MCLAUGHLIN, Editor, Editorial Page
STEPHEN E. TAYLOR, Vice President
HELEN W. DONOVAN, Executive Editor
WILLIAM B. HUFF, Treasurer
THOMAS F. MULVOY JR., Managing Editor News Operations
GODFREY W. KAUFFMANN JR., VP Circulation
ALFRED S. LARKIN JR., Managing Editor Administration
OLIVER H.P. RODMAN JR., VP Advertising
GREGORY L. MOORE, Deputy Managing Editor Daily
FRANK E. GRUNDSTROM JR., VP Human Resources
THOMAS E. ASHBROOK, Deputy Managing Editor Sunday
GREGORY L. THORNTON, VP Employee Relations
H.D.S. GREENWAY. Senior Associate Editor
JOHN S. DRISCOLL, Vice President
supported health c:
Separating debt from service
ing more through 1
health benefits, hav
dom to choose a ph:
The first thing that needs to be done about
them will be able to apply national service work
forced to join a lar
HMO are not what
President Clinton's national service proposal is to
toward their debts.
separate it from the college loan restructuring that
There is some question about what kinds of
envisioned as soluti
Clinton has also proposed. Both are good ideas,
public service jobs can be found for 100,000 young
Managed compt
but the connection between them is weak - and
people - many times the number that now partici-
tion. As articles in
could hinder the implementation of either.
pate in the Peace Corps and a variety of federal,
shown, it only begin
It is tempting to link the two concepts. Young
state and local public service programs - but it is
ries of complex, int
people, when offered the opportunity, have proved
well worth the effort to find those jobs.
ditions are met, an
enthusiastic about public service work. But rising
The more pressing problem for college stu-
guarantee that COS
dents is that they are graduating with large debts,
universal access pr
college costs have made the undertaking of such
and the typical $10,000 government loan obligation
come as no surprise
work more utopian than practical.
Hole group, origin.
And Clinton has never sounded more idealistic
would have covered only a small fraction of their
aged competition
more Kennedyesque - than in his speech at
college costs. Paying back those loans through the
close ties to the he:
Rutgers University when he said, "It's time for
annual income tax filing has always seemed a sen-
industries. One W(
millions of us to change our country, block by
sible policy, and it is good that Clinton has appar-
be the 1990s equiv
block, neighborhood by neighborhood - time to re-
ently accepted that approach. But that, in turn, has
S & L bailout.
turn to our roots, an excitement, an idealism, and
raised the question of whether the loan money
There is, howe
an energy."
should continue to come from commercial banks or
tion to the crisis:
The problem is that there are millions of stu-
from the government.
option. Consumer
dents receiving government-backed college loans -
What should not happen is for the national ser-
5 million each year - but budget realities mean
vice proposal to become bogged down in the high-
Silber is a u
that only a statistically insignificant 100,000 of
stakes debate over the college loan program.
Having watche
Silber from its n
Town and gown in Cambridge
nings, I find that
22 op-ed column
than add to an alr-
The agreement between Cambridge and the
known. Meanwhile, Central Square merchants, es-
Silber's accomplis
Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the sit-
pecially the proprietors of its dozens of ethnic res-
tors of the Globe
taurants, began to mobilize while neighboring resi-
consideration f(
ing of a "wet" shelter for homeless drug and alco-
readers.
hol abusers stilled an unpleasant town-gown con-
dents wondered why the area had become a
No. Silber, as
troversy. But the controversy itself raised a num-
"dumping ground" for the city's social problems.
suggested, may be
ber of issues - related and semirelated - that will
As it played out - in public hearings and open
jail. Beam knows
need to be addressed.
negotiating sesssions - the CASPAR controversy
not the point, an
Under the agreement the City Council ratified
provided an opportunity to question MIT's devel-
that. too. The p
on Monday, MIT will construct a shelter building
opment plans and their impact on the adjacent
cannot be judged
at its present site on institute property and pro-
behavior that Be
Cambridgeport neighborhood. As Councillor Jona-
vide a long-term lease to CASPAR - the Cam-
mate.
than Myers, who headed the council's CASPAR
Beam confuse
bridge and Somerville Program for Alcoholism and
subcommittee, put it, "this has encouraged us to
The Washington Times
3/5/93
Service with a smile
MIKE ROYKO
and remembering it
P
resident Clinton has a grand
vision. But doesn't he al-
ways?
Looking ahead a few
years, he sees a vast army of idealis-
tic, fresh-faced young people per-
forming acts of goodness all over
Study now, repay later
America.
They will be in the big cities,
helping the police patrol the streets
That's the payoff: national ser-
In contrast. we've had many years
and persuading gang members and
vice in exchange for higher educa-
of a student-loan program that
dope heads to mend their ways.
tion, job training. student loans and
worked the other way.
They will be in medical clinics
whatever other goodies Mr. Clinton
With student loans. first you bor-
immunizing children or knocking on
and Congress decide to toss in.
rowed the money from a bank. Then
doors to remind forgetful parents
It sounds like a good idea. Young
you went to college or a trade school.
that their kids could really use vac-
people should do something useful,
When you finished school and went
cinations.
even if it's only taking out the gar-
to work, you repaid the loan.
They will be in the schools, help-
bage.
At least. that's the way it was sup-
ing teach the three R's or acting as
At least about half of it sounds
posed to work. and it did for the ma-
big brothers and sisters, mentors
like a good idea. That's the half that
jority of the borrowers.
and role models.
has the young people earning what
But there were also thousands of
They will be at the bins, recycling
they get. And earning it up front,
young people who failed to repay bil-
waste, fighting pollution and saving
just as people do in regular jobs.
lions of dollars in loans.
our environment.
In describing his plan. Mr. Clin-
That didn't bother the schools,
Of course, they won't be doing
ton compared it to the old GI Bill,
because they got their tuition
this out of the goodness of their
which provided military veterans
whether the student learned. slept
young hearts. It's one of those
with educational opportunities.
through class or dropped out.
"what's in it for me" deals, which is
k didn't bother the banks, be-
The GI Bill was a remarkably
a legitimate part of the American
successful program. But it had a
cause the loans were guaranteed by
way.
catch. First you had to be a GI. Only
the federal government. everybody's
As Mr. Clinton said: "Imagine an
after you had been a GI did you qual-
generous pal.
army of 100,000 young people restor-
One outfit it did bother was the
ify for the benefits.
ing urban and rural communities in
government's General Accounting
return for education and training."
Actually. that's the way things
Office, which said the program was
work in most of the real world. If you
such a far-flung. hopeless mess that
take a job. first you do the work, then
it was impossible to monitor.
Mike Royko is a nationally syndi-
you receive a paycheck. The GI Bill
In hindsight. it might have been
cated columnist.
worked on that principle: duty first,
more prudent and cost-effective to
the payoff comes later.
have the loan program administered
by the crime syndicate. Guys like
Then there is the question of wno
Big Joe from Cicero have always had
will administer the program. Obvi-
about a 99 percent success rate in
ously. the federal government is go-
dealing with deadbeats.
ing to provide the money, which
Mr. Clinton hasn't been specific
makes sense. Who else can legally
about how his national-service pro-
print the stuff?
gram will work. Will these young
But Clinton says he doesn't want
people perform national service
a lot of bureaucrats running it. In-
first and get the reward of education
stead. he will turn to. among others,
or job training later? Or will it be the
community organizations.
other way around, with the reward
up front? Or maybe both at the same
That brings back faint memories
time? We don't know. Maybe he
of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society:
doesn't know either and is waiting
One of LBJ's programs gave large
for Hillary to decide.
sums of money to do-gooder commu-
I suppose lawyers could draw up
nity organizations. which were sup-
contracts that would require the
posed to help street gangs redirect
young people to put in their year or
their youthful energies into positive
two of national service after they've
activities.
finished their schooling.
But the street gangs had their
But what if some of them renege
own ideas of positive activities So
on the deal? It would be impractical
they graciously thanked their bene-
to drag them out on the street and
factors, grabbed the money. and
say: "Here. patrol this tough neigh-
used it to redirect larger drug prof-
borhood with that policeman" or
its into their pockets. The gangs
"Get in there and recycle that trash
didn't have any MBAs. but they knew
dump." Genuine enthusiasm is
an economic opportunity when they
needed for such work.
saw it.
In that case, they could be sued.
But that would just provide more job
Well. I'm sure that in time Mr.
opportunities for lawyers, and Mr.
Clinton will have answers to all of
Clinton is already keeping many of
these questions.
them busy.
Just stay tuned to MTV.
WASHINGTON EDITION ANGELES TIMES
FRIDAY, MARCH 5. 1993
Plenty of Vision,
Paucity of Detail
To sell, promising national service plan needs spelling out
T
he National Service Initiative
hold out the opportunity for higher
announced by President Clin-
education.
ton Monday was deservedly
But with a price tag put at $7.4
greeted with great enthusiasm and
billion over four years, Clinton's initi-
hope. Besides signaling a refreshing
ative probably will spark stiff opposi-
break with the self-indulgence of the
tion from Congress members con-
last decade, the program could pro-
cerned that it would create more
vide opportunities for thousands of
federal bureaucracy when many
young people to make a personal
Americans want less.
contribution to their communities.
In its details, the program should
Before the President submits the
balance direction and leadership from
plan as legislation, he must spell out
Washington with responsive, decen-
important details regarding cost and
tralized administration, balance the
implementation. Without these spe-
kind of hands-on management best
cifics, it is doubtful that Congress will
done at the local level with necessary
express the same excitement that
federal oversight and direction.
greeted Monday's announcement at
Among the questions that remain
Rutgers University.
unanswered: What criteria would
The initiative would begin this
guide the selection of participants?
June with "the Summer of Ser-
Would decisions be based on need or
vice"-a $15-million pilot program
achievement?
employing more than 1.000 low-in-
PICKING AND CHOOSING: Se-
come teen-agers for eight weeks in a
lection based solely or largely on
variety of jobs focusing on education
achievement might exclude those
and leadership training. In addition to
whose financial need is greatest; but
having earned a minimum-wage sti-
selection based on need alone could
pend, those who completed the sum-
rule out many eager and committed
mer service would receive a $1,000
candidates. Choosing participants
credit toward college or vocational
through a carefully structured lottery
training.
might avoid these extremes.
TAPPING A RESOURCE: The
With attention to crucial details,
larger-and far more costly-compo-
the Administration could build a pro-
nent of the service program would
gram that might be a model for
begin shortly afterward, when the
government/private partnerships to
government would put 25,000 col-
come later. But it must demonstrate
lege-age people to work year-round
flexibility. The government must be
in health care, education, public safe-
able to quickly eliminate any parts
ty and environmental jobs. Partici-
that do not work.
pants would receive payments that
President Clinton speaks often of
could be used for tuition debt or
"investing" in the nation's future-
would earn financial credit toward
America's infrastructure, its technol-
additional education. By 1997, more
ogy and its people. He deserves
than 100.000 youths would be partici-
support for his proposed National
pating, the Administration estimates.
Service Program on the ground that
The proposal's greatest virtue lies
this is an investment that can reap
in its promise to the youth of Ameri-
great benefits.
ca. a largely untapped source of
He should hold to the meaning of
creative energy. Like President John
his words by detailing the costs as
F. Kennedy's Peace Corps and Presi-
well as the benefits, implementation
dent Lyndon B. Johnson's Volunteers
as well as concept. Above all, Clinton
in Service to America (VISTA), the
must remember the investors who
initiative would encourage-and re-
matter most-the taxpayers.
ward-young people for serving their
National service is a very promis-
country and communities. And, as
ing idea. It deserves a confident, and
with the GI Bill of Rights. it would
detailed, rollout.
129
INSIDE POLITICS
JACK W. GERMOND AND JULES WITCOVER
NATIONAL SERVICE'S POTENTIAL PAYOFF
T
hat was quite a send-off that President Clinton staged at
last year than the national service plan, especially when he was
Rutgers University for the unveiling of his "domestic peace
addressing college audiences. He visualized the scheme as a way
corps plan" to help young Americans get through college
to educate whole generations of Americans and at the same
and then work in community service as "agents of renewal."
time restore a sense of community obligation to the nation's
The President seized the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of
youth, who are so often criticized these days as self-centered and
the authorization of the original Peace Corps (aren't all 32nd
lacking any sense of purpose. And he always ended by observing
anniversaries celebrated?) to cast his own national service con-
that "it would be the best money we ever spent."
cept as a first cousin of President Kennedy's popular initiative,
That, however, is the problem now. If every young American
which is still in operation.
of college age sought enrollment in the plan, even the 100,000
On hand were the Peace Corps's first director, Sargent Shriv-
slots allocated for four years from now would not be nearly
er; his chief deputy, Harris Wofford, who's now a Democratic
enough. Under the existing college loan program, five million
Senator from Pennsylvania: for-
are now enrolled. But Administra-
mer Peace Corps member Christo-
tion sources say that 100,000 is an
pher J. Dodd, now a Democratic
Clinton's plan for a
estimate of how many will actually
Senator from Connecticut: former
want to sign up.
Volunteers in Service to America
national service corps
Although Clinton preached the
(VISTA) recruit John D. (Jay)
idea of national service throughout
Rockefeller IV, who now serves as
a Democratic Senator from West
not only appeals to
his successful bid for the White
House, the idea is not the Presi-
Virginia: and Sens. Bill Bradley,
D-N.J., and Edward M. Kennedy,
young people's self-
dent's alone. His recommenda-
tions include features proposed
D-Mass.
The show of influential support
interest but can also
earlier by others, including Gary
Hart. a former Democratic presi-
was an obvious effort to suggest
pay off politically.
dential candidate, and Michael S.
that Clinton means business about
Dukakis, the party's 1988 nomi-
a scheme that was the centerpiece
nee. Dukakis suggested a plan of
of his campaign oratory last year.
universal college education with a
The presence of all the political
similar payroll deduction payback.
heavyweights was a way to counter
but Dukakis's proposal omitted
early criticism of Clinton's decision, for budgetary reasons. to
the military or community service aspect that was the core of
start the program as a small pilot effort this summer.
Hart's approach.
The kickoff plan is to employ 1,000 college students for eight
For some years now. Adam Walinsky, a speechwriter for the
weeks. paying each of them at the minimum wage plus a $1,000
late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., has advanced a plan for a
payment for college or other tuition, at a total cost for the sum-
police corps to supplement the work of regular police officers in
mer of $15 million. the money to come from Clinton's economic
large urban centers. This is one of the options in the Clinton
stimulus package. The plan would grow in four years to 100,000
plan. The President told his Rutgers audience that students in
students at an annual cost of $3.4 billion.
national service could also work with the elderly and homeless
On the campaign trail throughout 1992, Clinton made it
and perform community fix-up tasks. all "to help make America
sound as though every American youngster who wanted to go to
new again."
college would be able to do so under his plan. and he didn't say
During his 1992 campaign, the agreed strategy was to stick
anything about a slow start-up. But it isn't in the nature of candi-
single-mindedly to the issue of the economy and to charges that
dates to talk of small. gradual dreams, and certainly not this can-
President Bush had no plans for its recovery, Nevertheless, Clin-
didate.
ton almost always managed to find time to talk about his nation-
Nevertheless, the domestic peace corps idea is such an
al service plan.
embodiment of Clinton's whole formula for American economic
One reason may have been that the Democratic presidential
recovery and rejuvenation that it is reasonable to expect that he
candidate understood that the matter of their children's college
intends to follow through after the showy send-off at Rutgers.
education weighed heavily on the middle-aged, middle-class
"Opportunity and responsibility" have been the cornerstones of
voters whom he targeted for special attention during the cam-
his domestic policy, and his plan weds the two in a latter-day
paign.
marriage of the concepts of the Peace Corps and the World War
The recession of 1991-92 was different from most others of
II GI Bill's education provisions. The government would pro-
the recent past in that it hit white-collar workers hard. With
vide the opportunity through college loans; the student, in
much of American industry facing downsizing and restructuring
return. would meet a community responsibility after graduation.
after the Cold War, many of these workers experienced not just
The plan adheres to the basic GI Bill idea by including mili-
temporary layoffs but the permanent loss of their jobs. Heavily
tary service as an option to pay off the loan, as well as actually
mortgaged and carrying large college loans for their children,
paying it off as a percentage (based on income) of the graduate's
these workers, whether they had lost or only feared the loss of
paycheck if neither military nor community service is chosen.
their jobs, were potential voters for Clinton or for independent
This option would be designed to sharply reduce loan defaults,
candidate Ross Perot.
now a major plague of the college loan program.
Today, these workers represent a potential source of support
Nothing inspired Clinton to wax more eloquent on the stump
as the President presses Congress to enact his plan.
NATIONAL JOURNAL 3/6/93
583
'LET'S DRAFT EVERYBOUT
THE SEATTLE TIMES 3-7-93
National service VS. real service
National Service came from Defense Secretary
campaign. TO every American who wants to go to
involve millions of youth and absoro Drive are money
Bruce Chapman
Robert S. McNamara in 1966 McNamara perverse
college.
as well as public Programs should seek not just
Special to The Times
idea was to solve the obvious inequities of the draft
The post-election proposal is 50 much less that
tax dollars. but charitable contribution dollars
by drafting erybody - some for the military. as
the term Sen Slade Gorton used to describe it -
directly from citizens at large. like the money
usual. and the rest to empty bedpans in hospitals.
oversold" - seems an understatement. Only 1.000
people lovingly give to their church or college alma
HERE she IS. a sweet. but
T
remove trash from roadsides and tutor young
summer positions will be available nationwide this
mater.
emotionally overcome
children.
year. 25,000 full-time National Service positions in
In short. the government would go into compen-
young woman from the New
Fortunately. that coercive and utopian scheme
1994 and 100.000 in 1997.
tion with the independent voluntary sector not only
Jersey Youth Corps. being con-
died. the victim of its high projected economic and
for people's time but also their money
soled with a hug from the presi-
social costs. The better solution to the ills of the
Such a limited program can hardly do much
Praised by the president at Rurgers was Profes-
dent of the United States. On-
draft was found in an all-volunteer force. which
damage or good (depending on your viewpoint) in
sor Benjamin Barber. one of the sponsors of a
lookers in a flag-decked class-
works superbly.
terms of service or education. What it does
program at that state university which at least
room beam at this latest exciting
But the National Service dream was revived in
accomplish is an increase in the deficit - $3 4
initially, made administration-approved service
moment in the new political
the 1980s by the Democratic Leadership Council. As
billion annually by 1997.
mandatory for graduation. He is the advocate of
production. The Selling of Na-
President Clinton. a former chair of the DLC. said at
But the eventual aim, also, is to make the
what he (and Brown) call "strong democracy. a
tional Service."
Rutgers. 'We made one of the central parts of our
program very large and possibly universal. though
coercive brand opposed to the mere representation-
It is the kind of scene repeated in photo-
platform to reclaim a new majority of Americans for
the head of the program. Eli Segal. says that
al democracy with which the American founders
opportunities nationally as the White House hustles
our party the establishment of a system of national
universality is not the goal "at this time. As a
apparently burdened us.
its plan to have college loan recipients pay off Uncle
service to help people to finance education."
leading National Service advocate. Michael Brown
At the moment. however. no one - including.
Sam with government-approved service.
The new version of the idea was to make service
of City Year in Boston. declares. Like Social
evidently, the White House - can even explain the
How can anyone argue against something like
voluntary and to link it to a new aim of making
Security. national service will be woven into the
financial details of the National Service plan that
this? Why, just look at the cheering student crowds
funds available. as Mr. Clinton said in the 1992
fabric of American Life." Soon. he says. it will
was so dramatically unveiled by the president. The
at Rutgers University in New Jersey where the
public numbers change almost daily David Evans of
president is announcing his plan!
the Chicago Tribune calls it data free analysis and
If. as psychologist William James described it in
analysis-free policy making
1907, National Service is "the moral equivalent of
But if we can trust the projections of the
war." shouldn't we just rush right off and "enlist"?
Democratic Leadership Council several years ago
and the January 1993 report of the Congressionally
The answer IS decidedly "no." The current
mandated. bi-partisan Commission on National and
National Service scheme is another attempt at
Community Service. the National Service scheme
appearance over substance - poorty conceived,
will be wasteful.
poorly thought out. and. if experience is any kind of
guide anymore. a potential major new waste of
The payout per volunteer during a year of
public money.
service - government's idea of a minimum salary.
It is precisely because real service is such a vital
medical care and benefits - works out to $20,000
part of American life that nationalizing it and
per year for each of two years. That. fellow
distorting its moral content through government
taxpayers. is $40,000 for two years. on top of the
should be most strongly resisted. Service, as the
cost of the forgiven college loan of $20,000, or
Hebrews and Christians of the Bible taught. is
$60,000 per student "helped"!
something given freely.
Plenty of taxpaying workers. many raising
That also was the view of the early Americans, as
families. make $20,000 a year or less. Some do
the French commentator. Alexis de Tocqueville,
exactly the same kind of work the National Service
noted 160 years ago in his famous work. "Democra-
volunteers will perform - for example. as hospital
cy in America." Where in France you would find
orderlies and teachers aides. The differences are
The current National Service
The $60,000 bill per student in
scheme is another attempt at
National Service does not even
appearance over substance -
include the indirect costs of
poorly conceived, poorly thought
government supervision, training
out, and
a potential major
and oversight.
new waste of public money.
that they pay taxes instead of using tax revenues.
the government or in England some territorial
don't get giorified as "volunteers. don't get $20,000
magnate (building hospitals, churches or libraries),
of free college aid. and do have to worry that the
in the United States you are sure to find an
wages of low-skill jobs in the economy will be bid
association.'
down by the new supply of National Service
The consequence is a distinctly American tradi-
workers.
tion of committed, creative and effective community
Moreover, the $60,000 bill per student in
service. As figures from the Gallup Poll and the
National Service does not even include the indirect
respected group Independent Sector show. in recent
costs of government supervision. training and
years Americans actually are giving more money
oversight. which. despite promises now. are sure to
and time to charities. And because they give it as
be high. Nor does it include what economists call
they wish - not as they are directed by government
the "opportunity costs" of thousands or millions of
- the voluntary service sector is more popular than
students holding off career paths for two more
either the profit sector of society or the government
years.
sector.
That, I believe, is what students and ordinary
Seen in this light. we do not have an education
citizens cheer when they hear the word "service."
loan program. but an expensive jobs program. very
But National Service would be something else
like the CETA (Comprehensive Employment Train-
again. In practice. government changes the meaning
ing Act) program of the 1970s. which was discontin-
of service when it orders it (remember "Selective
ued after it became. with some exceptions, a source
Service." the draft?) or when it makes it a paid job
of waste, disillusionment and corruption.
(think of "Civil Service," the government bureauc-
This is hardly the time for dubious new spending
racy).
programs. in any event. But if we are intent on
further stimulating scholarship programs and volun-
There are exceptions, such as the 6,000-
tary service. the answer is not a new government
member Peace Corps, but such programs are
jobs program but an increase in the tax deduction
invariably small and specialized and usually require
for charitable giving from 100 to 110 percent. This
sacrifice of comfort. money or safety.
small. but psychologically potent incentive would
De Tocqueville expressly warned against the
open a gusher of new giving. allowing the existing
government trying to take over the role of the
voluntary sector - which, being decentralized and
voluntary sector. "Once it leaves the sphere of
closely managed can stretch dollars farther and
politics to launch out on this new track, it will, even
create far more true service jobs than Washington.
without intending this, exercise an intolerable
D.C., could ever imagine.
tyranny. For a government can only dictate precise
rules. It imposes the sentiments and ideas which it
favors. and it is never easy to tell the difference
Bruce Chapman. a former director of the U.S.
between its advice and its commands.
Census Bureau, is president of Discovery Institute in
The history of the present plan shows that such
Seattle.
concern is still timely. The first modern proposal for
Eleanor MII
Los Angeles Times
SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 1993
COPYRIGHT THE TIMES MIRROR COMPANY 452 PAGES
CHRISTOPHER MATTHEWS
An Experience
That Can
Change a Life
'It forces you, against all your
timidity, to deal one-on-one
National service will offer
with people who were placed
Americans an escape from a
on this Earth in very different
stay-at-home, career-driven rut.
circumstances than you.'
I complained on national television about
n 1951, U.S. Rep. John F. Kennedy
rich range of personalities, it settled on me
that warm afternoon that I was the only
all the nerds he found serving in the State
one in the room who was not a Swazi, the
Department. Just back from a round-the-
only one who was of a different color.
world trip, he asked why the country
This is the heart of it: The great thing
couldn't find "well-rounded" young people
about joining the Peace Corps is that it gets
to serve abroad. Why, the young Massa-
you out there, out in the world. It forces
chusetts lawmaker wondered on "Meet the
you, against all your timidity, to deal
Press," weren't there any "American
one-on-one with people who were placed
types" representing us in foreign lands?
on this Earth in very different circum-
Kennedy had another complaint: How
stances than you. It requires that, raised
come those pin-striped Foreign Service
one way, you learn another. Ready or not,
boys infesting the diplomatic corps knew
it makes a Peace Corps volunteer see the
so little of the people of their assigned
world he or she left behind with the same
countries, so little of the local language and
succinct clarity as astronauts once got to
customs?
gaze on the globe.
A decade later, the newly inaugurated
The great prospect for Bill Clinton's
President Kennedy offered a solution. His
national-service program is that it will do
new Peace Corps would have three goals:
much the same here in our own diverse
First, it would help countries develop
land. Tens of thousands of Americans will
economically. More than that, it would
get to see their country the way they
show people overseas the best of what
would never have known it otherwise. The
America can offer, the can-do zeal of its
fortunate ones will be assigned to jobs and
idealistic youth. Finally, it would expose
living environments far removed from
America to foreign cultures by getting its
where they came. They will meet people of
youth fully immersed in them, "doing the
totally different circumstances and reli-
same work, eating the same food, speaking
gions and colors. They will develop a
the same language."
self-confidence about their country and its
Last week, a U.S. President inaugurated
people they could never have gained
an enterprise with similar goals. Under Bill
Clinton's national-service program, Amer-
staying at home, continuing along the same
icans will work throughout the country in
career-driven, TV-lit rut. By entering
other ghettos, they will escape their own.
a variety of tasks-teaching, health care,
I speak from experience. Immediately
community action. In exchange, they will
after returning from the Peace Corps, I
receive government grants for their edu-
cations.
went to Washington, and, by knocking on
In launching his own new program,
some strange Capitol Hill doors, began a
President Clinton paid tribute to the older
career that had me, while still quite young,
working at the White House, writing
one that had inspired it. The legacy of the
speeches for a President.
Peace Corps, he said, is "not simply
goodwill and good works in countries all
My aging grandmother was impressed,
not so much by the achievement as the
across the globe, but a profound and lasting
change in the way Americans think about
differentness of my course, how extraordi-
their country and the world."
nary my road had been from those of my
A returned volunteer could not have said
four brothers, all of whom had stayed
it better.
fairly close to home.
Viewed from the outside, the Peace
"It was Africa, wasn't it?" she asked,
Corps is usually seen for what it achieves
already knowing the answer.
overseas, the furthered economic develop-
Yes, grandmom, it was Africa. And,
thanks to President Clinton's national-ser-
ment, the enhanced U.S. goodwill. The
vice program, many other Americans
secret every volunteer shares is what this
service did for him or her.
someday will answer a similar question
with "Harlem" or "Alabama" or "Detroit"
Personally, I will never forget an experi-
or "Alaska." This will be the shorthand for
ence of a quarter-century ago: that of
standing in a schoolroom in Swaziland, a
an experience that changed a life.
small, wonderful country in southern Afri-
ca, with 17 other people. All of them were
Christopher Matthews is a syndicated
local traders with whom I had been
columnist in Washington.
working. I knew them all personally, as
you would any fellow worker. Yet in that
U.S. NEWS
Wanted:
National
service
Clinton's favorite idea
must clear big hurdles
before it takes off
F
riends and acquaintances say Bill
Clinton's enthusiasm for national
service never lets up. Back in 1991,
not long after Princeton graduate Wen-
dy Kopp started her much-praised
Teach for America, which gives recent
college graduates the chance to work in
the classroom, she got a note from the
then Arkansas governor, who had read
about the program. "He was the only
governor to invite us into his state," re-
calls Kopp. Last month, when his bud-
Helping hands. Unions back small service programs but might oppose a national effort.
geteers considered trimming his beloved
national service program, Clinton made
Clinton loved to say - and so students
rently make a handsome profit from
it clear that it was to be nationwide in
won't be burdened by huge repayments
these ventures. Clintonites also think
scope. not small and experimental. "His
right after graduation that might discour-
direct lending will make it easier to ad-
position was very clear," an aide laughs.
age them from taking a low-paying but
minister the "income contingent" loans
At $7.4 billion, national service is
noble job like working as a drug counsel-
that let students pay back their loans as
among President Clinton's largest do-
or. The second way to pay back a loan
a small percentage of income.
mestic initiatives. By all accounts, the
would be through national service. It is
The multibillion-dollar student loan
public shares his enthusiasm for the idea
becoming clear, though, that while serv-
industry is fighting hard, claiming that
that America's young people ought to
ice will be an option available to tens of
the government will botch the job and
give something back to their country.
thousands of students - far more than
that Clinton should not nix the current
"It's what we're all about," says Clinton's
the maximum of 16,000 who served in the
system just because it is profitable. "If
pollster. Stanley Greenberg. "It shows
Peace Corps at any one time - only a
you believe in innovative government
we have real values." But even though
small number of the millions eligible for
and public-private partnerships, then
Clinton and the country want national
the program will enjoy loan forgiveness
this is the model," says Lawrence
service, the particulars of making it work
in exchange for a stint of service. "This is
Hough, president of Sallie Mae, the
are very complicated and, in all likeli-
not an entitlement," says Clinton's na-
congressionally chartered Student Loan
hood, the final program may be smaller
tional service czar. Eli Se-
CHARLIE ARCHAMBAULT
Marketing Association,
than voters might have been led to ex-
gal. Right now there's no
which earned nearly $400
pect. While Clinton hits the road in New
scheme - like a lottery - to
million last year by run-
Jersey this week to tout his program, and
decide who gets in.
ning a secondary market
the administration hopes to send a na-
Angry bankers. Clinton
for the student loans is-
tional service bill to Congress as soon as
wants the government to
sued by banks. Last week,
April, key questions remain unanswered.
abolish the current stu-
Hough got powerful am-
"It's like a Calder mobile," says a Clinton
dent loan program, where-
munition when the Con-
adviser. "Lots of pieces are moving
by banks lend money to
gressional Research Serv-
around." Here are some of the hurdles:
students but the govern-
ice issued a report dis-
Picking winners. Throughout the cam-
ment guarantees the loan.
puting the notion that
paign, Clinton said his program would
Instead, he would have
direct lending would save
allow any student to borrow the money to
the government lend di-
money. Even if the admin-
go to college and pay it back in one of two
rectly to students. The
istration prevails, no one
ways. The first would be by paying a small
Clinton forces argue that
seems to have a good an-
percentage of income over many years at
this will save $1 billion an-
swer for how to keep alive
tax time - "so they can't beat the bill,"
nually, since banks cur-
Clinton's man. Eli Segal
the existing bond market
34
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. MARCH 8. 1993
that supports the current student loan
system while Clintonites phase in a
new system. If the administration can't
reform the student loan program, it
might have to scale back the numbers
of students who can participate in the
service scheme.
Labor pains. The Clinton team has been
very careful to make sure that public em-
ployee unions-among its biggest back-
ers during the campaign - are on board
for the national service program. Unions
traditionally have been wary of such pro-
grams, fearing that they will displace
more highly paid, full-time government
workers. White House adviser William
Galston regularly walks across Lafayette
Square to meet with union leaders at the
AFL-CIO's national headquarters. Both
sides wax optimistic about being able to
cut a deal. "There are difficulties," says a
Clinton aide. "But nothing is a deal
breaker." Indeed, unions have not re-
flexively opposed national service plans.
In Boston. for example, unions have en-
dorsed the City Year volunteer program
and even donated labor and materials to
build its headquarters. "Once you stop
talking about theory and start talking
about practice, labor unions can be tre-
mendously supportive" says City Year
founder Alan Khazei.
national effort.
But most service programs to date
have been small; City Year's corps of
profit from
youths, engaged in recycling and other
also think
projects. barely tops 220 members. Na-
What's your line of work? Write us and tell us about it.
easier to ad-
tionwide, only 17,000 are enrolled in
ngent" loans
City Year-style groups. If a national ser-
IF THERE'S ONE THING Jack Daniel's
heir loans as
vice program lifts that number by a fac-
e.
tor of 10 or more, "then it will be a chal-
doesn't mix with, it's fire.
tudent loan
lenge." says Kathleen Selz, head of the
aiming that
National Association of Service and
the job and
Conservation Corps. Conversely, if the
We'd never want a blaze to get going in or
the current
program displaces no workers, it might
ofitable. "If
our aging houses. (With all that whiskey in:
just be busy work like CETA, the old
government
Comprehensive Employment and
it'd go up like a Tennessee Fourth of July!) T
rships, then
Training Act program of the 1970s.
Lawrence
Finding a balance may be possible, but
why these whiskeymen do double
e Mae, the
it won't be easy.
tudent Loan
The success of national service is
duty as members of our Volunteer
ssociation,
likely to be a bellwether for the admin-
nearly $400
istration. Clintonites already tout it as
Fire Department. We don't know
ar by run-
the quintessential program to "rein-
ary market
vent" government, combining old-fash-
if every distillery is this prepared to
it loans is-
ioned values with low bureaucracy. To
Last week,
keep the program decentralized, it's
keep their product from going up
werful am-
likely that students will apply through
I the Con-
their states and then be placed either
in smoke. But after a sip of Jack
earch Serv-
in existing volunteer programs or in
report dis-
new start-up programs. "This cannot
Daniel's, we believe, you'll agree
otion that
be the social engineering of the '60s in
would save
the protection is worth any cost.
which someone sits in Washington and
the admin-
announces the shape of the program."
ils, no one
says Segal. No one disagrees. And ev-
SMOOTH SIPPIN'
Old
a good an-
eryone is watching.
keep alive
TENNESSEE WHISKEY
Jennessee
nd market
BY MATTHEW COOPER
WHISKEY
Tennessee Whiskey
40-43% alcohol by volume (80-86 proof)
Distilled and Bottled by
MARCH 8. 1993
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. MARCH 8. 1993
Jack Daniel Distillery. Lem Motlow. Proprietor, Route 1. Lynchburg (Pop 361). Tennessee 37352
Placed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Government.
Plan from a Kennedy gets mixed review
complete 75 hours of public service
teaching needs improvement, "but
STATES NEWS SERVICE
before the end of their senior year to
the purpose of public schools is not
WASHINGTON - John F.Ken-
graduate. Service can begin in sixth
just to teach reading, writing and
nedy's call to service has been re-
grade. Local school boards can de-
arithmetic; it is also citizenship, and
vived with President Clinton's plan
sign alternative programs and sub-
we are not teaching kids to be good
to let students pay for college with
mit them to the state for approval.
citizens."
community work. But a program de-
"We have a variety of communi-
Peiffer said the Maryland plan
signed by another Kennedy to build
ties from very rural to urban Balti-
isn't designed to promote volunteer-
better citizens has received a mixed
more. They wanted to have the lati-
ism, but to teach civic responsibility.
reception in Maryland.
tude to put together a program that
Service can reinforce social studies
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend,
would fit their needs," said Ron
lessons as field projects help illus-
daughter of the late Sen. Robert F.
Peiffer, director of the state Board
trate science class lectures, he said.
Kennedy and author of the nation's
of Education Community Outreach
"When they walk out of high
first statewide mandatory public ser-
Program. "Most wanted to fuse it
school, you want them to be good
vice program, says she wrote the
more tightly with the curriculum."
citizens. You want them to under-
plan because "students don't know
Critics say the plan would place
stand their role as a citizen," he said.
how to be good citizens.
too much pressure on students and
"We think this will help them."
"They don't know how to get in-
drain resources away from teaching.
To be approved at the state level,
volved," said Kennedy Townsend, di-
State Sen. Charles Smelser, a
locally designed programs must in-
rector of the Maryland Student Ser-
Democrat from Carroll County, has
clude "preparation and reflection
vice Alliance for the Maryland state
filed a bill that would reverse the
components," Kennedy Townsend
Department of Education. "They
KATHLEEN K. TOWNSEND
board's new graduation require-
said, to make students think about
don't know how to identify problems.
ment.
Offers service plan
the issues facing their communities
They don't know how to make a dif-
"There's a lot of people out there
"so that the service that the student.
ference."
that aren't particularly satisfied
does will be connected to their learn
doing your own thing. That kind of
"There is a pervasive view that
about what young people are learn-
view will not make for a successful
ing."
citizenship is being a nice person,
ing now," he said. "This just puts a
democracy."
Smelser complains that a "whole
obeying the law, not hurting any-
little more wash on the line that's al-
new bureaucracy" will be created by
Starting next fall, ninth grade
body, not getting in anybody's way,
ready overloaded."
students in Maryland will have to
the program that could cost taxpay
Kennedy Townsend agrees that
ers millions a year.
Bost.
City Year is
a model for
National Service
By Patti Doten
Roston
GLOBE STAFF
here he was again. President
T
Clinton was interviewed on trendy
MTV last week. This time, he was
promoting his plan for involving
young people in community service,
which, he promised, will "change America
forever and for the better."
The president wants local communities
to develop their own programs to employ
young people. He said he won't dictate the
program from Washington.
Last week, Clinton sent his labor secretary,
Robert Reich, to Boston. Reich visited Roxbury,
Where members of the Youthbuild Boston program
were converting a gutted building into a homeless
shelter. Youthbuild teaches construction skills to
unemployed young adults and helps them earn their
high school diplomas.
"The president takes programs like this and
national service and
all kinds of summer
jobs programs extra-
ordinarily seriously,"
said Reich. "These
are the building
blocks for the future."
Clinton has mod-
eled his national ser-
GLOBE STAFF FILE PHOTO
vice program on City
Year, founded in
Boston in 1988. City
Year enrolls people
between the ages of
17 and 23 for nine
CITY YEAR WORKER
months of community
service. They are paid
$100 a week and, at the end of the nine months, they
receive $5,000 to further their education. There are
220 corps members this year from many different
backgrounds and educational levels.
"It doesn't matter where you come from," said
Alan Khazei, 31, a graduate of Harvard University
and Harvard Law School who cofounded City Year
with Michael Brown. "Community service is a meet-
ing place to build common ground. Everyone has
something to give and learn no matter where they
were brought up or what schools they attended.
For more information on City Year, call (617) 451-
0699. Here are some other groups, too, to contact if
you are interested in community service work: The
JFK Library Corps, (617) 282-1189; the Thomas
Jefferson Forum (617) 523-6699; Teens as
Community Resources, (617) 338-0881;
Massachusetts Youth Service Alliance, (617) 542-2544.
Khazei would like to see children begin community
service in first grade and stay with it through high
school and into their later years.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ?
What sort of community
service work would you like to
do now or when you get
older? Write to Student
NewsLine and tell us your
thoughts. Don't forget your
name, grade and school.
TO: Service Stars
FR: Ethan
RE: Editorial response to our Rutgers event
DT: 3/11
Over the last week and a half I have been gathering editorials
from national and local newspapers in reaction to the Rutgers
event.
The large majority of editorials reflected a positive response to
the President's speech. Virtually all looked favorably on the
tone in which the President called on Americans to play their
part in creating change. But most tempered their compliments
with concern about lack of details. The following quote from the
Seattle Post summarizes the general attitude most had toward the
program:
"Clinton invoked everything from the Civilian Conservation
Corps to the Homestead Act to suggest his idea has a proud
lineage. National service is an appealing concept.
The trick is to sustain the warm feelings with details."
Though most editorials were in this general vein, there were a
few surprises. For example, the Boston Globe, one of the
nation's most liberal major dailies, wrote critically about the
need to separate the service and loan components of the plan.
And the conservative Bismarck Tribune lauded our program writing,
"we are unabashedly endorsing one of Clinton's new spending
programs - national service", but suggested that service should
be mandatory. Clearly, national service cuts across ideological
lines in strange ways.
Here are some of the specific questions raised by editorial
writers:
Who will oversee the distribution of federal money?
How much will students be able to borrow?
What kind of stipend will volunteers receive?
Where will community service jobs come from?
Won't it really cost more than the $7.4 billion allocated?
Will 100,000 kids really want to participate in service?
Some highlights:
San Francisco Chronicle
"If Clinton's fledgling program can help restore the
tarnished spirit of service for the MTV generation, as the
Peace Corps did for the baby boomers, the accomplishment
would outshine the narrower goal of making college a more
affordable option for more Americans. Anything that
motivates young people to get immersed in community work --
tutoring, child care, pollution cleanup, health and drug
counseling -- is good for them, good for the community and
good for the nation. If it helps pay off college loans as
well, all the better."
Seattle Times:
"The goal is lofty. The work needs to be done. The cost is
low. The program deserves congressional approval and
funding."
A low-light:
The Indianapolis News:
"Clinton has that theatrical ability to force an audience to
engage in the willing suspension of disbelief and distract
them from dwelling on the props, the artifice of the sets or
the improbability of the plot."
I have on file editorials from the following newspapers:
Austin American-Statesman
Bismarck Tribune
Boston Globe
Indianapolis Star
L.A. Times
L.A. Daily News
Newark Record
New York Times
Philadelphia Enquirer
San Diego Union-Tribune
San Francisco Chronicle
Seattle Times
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
USA Today
Washington Post
If you would like to see any of them, please stop by my desk.
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1993
THE WASHINGTON POST
Barbara Mikulski
Make National Service Work
The 'McService' syndrome and other pitfalls
As one of the godmothers of the
college graduates whose student
wise we run the risk of creating a
these criteria: quality, innovation, re-
should avoid the "McService" syn-
national service movement, I'm bull-
loans are their first real loan, in effect
caste system that diminishes the val-
plicability and sustainability without
drome-the trap of using one or two
ish on the Clinton plan as set forth in
their first "mortgage." Also, not all
ue of the pre-college group.
federal funds.
national service models and trying to
the president's call for a "season of
kids will go on to a university. Some
4. Allow part-time post-college
Finally, before the president and
franchise them in every town and city
service" by young people. Those who
will attend community college or
the country charge full speed ahead
in America. We should foster national
participants. Not everyone who grad-
uates from college can or should go
down the road to a national service
models but always encourage their
are quick to condemn it do so because
choose to learn a trade. Still others
their vision is limited. They see it as a
who did not come from a strong
away to serve for a year or two. But
program, let's take a minute to be
adaptation to the unique character of
social program rather than a social
school system or family unit will
for those who can, and want to, let's
aware of the things that could detour
a particular community.
invention to create an ethic of service
or derail us.
National service is a solid frame-
reach out to national service as a kind
get them into service experiences
in our country.
of "boot camp" to get them ready for
where the practical application of
As the president goes forward, he
work for reaching two goals. One is
Here are the key elements I'd like
educational opportunities.
should minimize any federal or state
practical: handling the crisis of stu-
their skills will help develop those
dent indebtedness. One is idealistic:
to see the president consider to
This initial experience of service
skills. If that means part-time service,
bureaucracy affiliated with this pro-
developing the habits of the heart that
strengthen the appeal of national ser-
can help young people to mature and
so be it. Think of the effect a young
gram. The Commission on National
were the foundation of this country.
vice and increase its chance for suc-
believe in themselves. In Baltimore,
NASA scientist could have running a
and Community Service should be the
the young men and women in Civic
basis upon which the service program
We can get back to hard work-
cess:
Saturday scholars' program for chil-
neighbors helping neighbors and com-
1. Organize service around nation-
Works, our youth corps group, say
dren. That scientist could teach and
grows.
munities sticking together. Then,
al goals. National service jobs should
that what has changed them most is
inspire the next Sally Ride or Johnetta
He should also be sensitive to con-
long after the post-service vouchers
focus on broad national accomplish-
learning that they could give service
Cole.
cerns about displacing workers. While
are gone, we will have a nation of
ments such as public health, the envi-
as well as benefit from it. In discover-
5. Set rigorous standards for par-
we help young people prepare for a
national service alumni who will not
ronment and public safety.
ing this, they themselves were trans-
ticipation. National service should
life of service, we must look out for
only stay in touch with each other but
2. Strike a balance between pre-
formed.
have tough certification requirements
those Americans who are serving-
will continue to touch the lives of
college and post-college service op-
3. Make post-service benefits equi-
for those programs that want to spon-
the young teacher, the night school
others for generations to come.
portunities. National service will help
table. The benefit following service
sor participants. Let's look to our
student preparing to be a cop, or the
young people pay for college. but it
should be roughly the same for pre-
very able Commission on National and
GI who helped us win the Cold War.
The writer is a Democratic senator
should also be an option for young
and post-college participants. Other-
Community Service, which set out
One other note of caution: We
from Maryland.
Washington
Yet Clinton's philosophy of service rep.
resents intellectual newness to many
SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1993 A222A
high school and college. John F. Kennedy'
appeals to national service are seen as
9
Colman McCarthy
historical relics, known from books but not
live on MTV as are Clinton's. It
politician's celebrityhood that created super
Clinton's
port for the president at Notre Dame and si
Rutgers. Students saw in him someone
with a positive message-put community,i,
interest above self-interest-that many
Call to
professors and counselors at their schools
had been exposing them to all along: If you?"!
can't teach the illiterate, comfort the sick
and handicapped, or mend whatever andi)
Service
whoever is broken during your college
years, you're receiving a limited education.
Clinton deserves to be honored for
taking a risk that he'll be able to raise the
No speech in the Clinton campaign
money for his program of national ser-
was more inspirational than the candi-
date's remarks at the University of No-
peaned
vice. Critics in Congress with no greater
agenda than carping about ideas they
tre Dame last September. As president.
were too dull-witted or timid to propose
Clinton didn't match it until his March
themselves now lie in wait for the presi-
speech at Rutgers University. At both
dent when he comes in with specifics
campuses, he issued calls for national or!
They will say Clinton's ideas are danger-
service for college students.
mb
ous because they are romantic and utopi-
At Notre Dame: "If we are truly tò'
an, a charge that ignores the thought of
practice what we preach, Americans office
James Madison in 1788: "No theoretical
every faith and viewpoint should come'Tn
checks-no form of government, can
together to promote the common good."
render us secure. To suppose that anyn
It was similar at Rutgers: "National ser-
form of government will secure liberty
vice is nothing less than the American
happiness without any virtue in the peo-
way to change America."
ple is a chimerical idea."
Clinton's effort to rally the young to
Some critics charge that Clinton is into,
altruism has created a debate that pits
bribery: tuition money for service. While
idealism against realism, as if the two are à
the details are being worked out on how'
forever locked in conflict. Where's the mon-77
much money for what service, who come
ey, ask realists, for the tuition-for-services.iz
plains that the U.S. Army entices re!:
program that Clinton is proposing: $389,11
cruits with as much as $20,000 toward a
million in scholarships for 25,000 students
college education. Why isn't it bribery.
the first year and $3.4 billion for 100,000.
when ROTC programs pay students to,
by 1997. Realists say that Clinton's sweet
shine their boots occasionally and take
talk ignores sour facts: There's no money
od
gut courses in military lore. Nor is much
for a new social program.
alarm expressed over the most lavish
From that negative, despairing argust
enticement of all: a free ride at the
ment, Clinton is supposed to get there
military academies in exchange for a few
message: Don't even try. That means:!0
years in uniform after graduation.
don't lead, just preside. The past 12 years
Clinton's Rutgers speech marked the
witnessed two presiders in the White
32nd anniversary of the Peace Corps. Ken-
House. Most first-year college students
nedy's spirited message was repeated by
today were in kindergarten when Ronald
Clinton: "Answer the call to service." In
Reagan was elected and in fourth grade
"The Bold Experiment," a history of the
when reelected. They came into adoles-
Peace Corps by Gerard Rice, one of those
cence under a politician who tried nothing
who responded to Kennedy's call explained
by way of linking government with nation-
why: "I'd never done anything political,
al service. Instead of selflessness to oth-
patriotic or unselfish because nobody ever
ers, he extolled self-enrichment.
asked me to. Kennedy asked."
Evidence suggests that the young
So has Clinton.
weren't seduced either by Reagan's mest
sage of contempt for government or his
disdain for altruism. The 1980s saw
surge in campus community-service pro-
grams, such as the ones Clinton praised
at Notre Dame and Rutgers. Amnestý
International chapters increased on cam-
puses, as did those of Oxfam USA. Applies
cations to Peace Corps remained high, as
they did for such private domestic pro-.it
grams as the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and
the Lutheran Volunteer Corps.
National Service Proposal Exploits the Poor
A New Bureaucracy
To the Editor:
Re President Clinton's "National
To the Editor:
burdens on young Americans merely
years abroad as a Peace Corps volun-
Service - Now" (Op-Ed, Feb. 28)
Big Brother Wants You
President Clinton's call for "Na-
because they are financially disad-
teer in the Micronesian Islands. He
We at Nellie Mae, the largest nonprof-
tional Service - Now" (Op-Ed, Feb.
vantaged.
VIRGINIA G. Ciocco
was a teacher who traveled to many
To the Editor:
it provider of Federal student loan
28) appears to stem from noble inten-
New York, March 1, 1993
of the islands as an administrator and
Kim Grose's vision of extending
funds nationally, are very supportive
tions, but it is eminently unfair.
to give its inhabitants basic educa-
President Clinton's national service
The writer is a former high school
of the President's plans for a national
In exchange for Federal Govern-
supervisor and assistant principal in
tional instruction.
idea to children (Op-Ed, Feb. 23) is
service program as one option for
ment loans enabling students to at-
Whatever improvements we made
frightening for what it ignores: the
New Jersey.
repaying student loans.
tend college, Mr. Clinton would have
in the lives of others simply does not
issue of compulsion. The Indiana stu-
Unfortunately, some link President
them serve as teachers, police offi-
A Double Bargain
compare to what we learned from the
dents who care for wildlife, the Har-
Clinton's national service program
cers, nurses or social workers for one
community we served, from the vol-
with elimination of the public-private
lem children who field a "peace
or two years at low wages.
To the Editor:
unteers, new friendships, insights into
team," do so out of their own concern.
partnership that delivers billions of
It should not be acceptable for
"National Service - Now" (Op-Ed,
the human condition and ourselves. A-
dollars a year in student loans and
The antithesis is expressed in an
these positions to be considered low-
Feb. 28) by Bill Clinton reminded me
volunteer in national service may be.
establishment of a Government pro-
old Army gag: I need three volun-
paying public service jobs. Those
of my year in the Vista program,
a bargain for government; I would
gram of direct Federal loans to stu-
teers, you, you and you.
whose employment involves saving
Volunteers in Service to America
have paid a premium for the opportu-
dents. This would require the Federal
We risk the kind of violation of civil
and protecting the lives of others or
more than 12 years ago in Decatur,
nity.
RICHARD J. MONTELIONE.
Government to borrow the loan funds
rights for which America was invent-
educating our youth, are as important
III. I was a college graduate originally
New York, Feb. 28, 1993
and fully administer the programs,
ed as recourse. It would be a sign that
as, for example, those who can create
from New York earning a little more
eliminating the banks, which provide
our ship has turned full around, to-
a better stealth bomber.
than $300 a month working as a credit
private capital, and other state and
ward propagation of individual mor-
What of those who want to make a
and housing specialist. My sponsor
nonprofit agencies, which administer
als and behavior from the top. The
career in teaching, law enforcement,
was a nonprofit agency, which was
and collect student loans.
program would accelerate this mo-
nursing or social work? Would com-
efficient and did not resemble a gov-
A direct Federal loan program
tion by giving Government the dual
munities press for funds be willing
ernment bureaucracy.
would increase the Federal debt $15
role of demanding that good works be
to employ regular staffs when they
I learned how to or nnize elderly
billion to $20 billion a year for the
done and defining W at works are
can have the benefit of college gradu-
home owners against unscrupulous
next 15 years. The Congressional
good (much as pul- : schools teach
ates at half-pay? Would the income of
realtors, I counseled families on
Budget Office and the Congressional
the virtue of public education, which
the regular employees ever increase
budgeting their funds, worked toward
Research Service determined that a
is elsewhere open to question).
to reflect their value to society?
preventing evictions and negotiated
General Accounting Office analysis
What a way to make kids love
The children of the rich will not be
with utility companies to have electri-
that concluded such a program would
public service.
required to participate in this pro-
cal power restored to families who
save money was flawed.
We the people, or at least those with
gram. They will be able to settle into
had power terminated for nonpay-
Colleges would be asked to bear
any control over our own lives, are
their chosen careers immediately on
ment. During this time I worked
some $150 million in costs to originate
already eyeing routes of escape,
graduation from college.
loans. Virtually every employer in
ready to devote more energy to ob-
This tuition-for-service program
America would be asked to collect
taining the freedom of our own chil-
will not, as Mr. Clinton says, "insure
Federal student loans through pay-
dren than we devote to reducing our
that our schools offer the best educa-
roll taxes. This seems simple until
taxes - oops, our contributions.
tion in the world."
you recognize that each student will
Just as Kim Grose says, people
For that, dramatic changes will be
owe a different amount, some will
"who serve in their childhood years
necessary in our public schools. We
work more than one job, some will be
will be better equipped to partici-
must correct conditions that permit a
self-employed, and still others will
pate actively in society throughout
class size of more than 50 students
work outside the country.
their lives." But in what kind of soci-
(as in Los Angeles) or of two differ-
President Clinton says he does not
ety? One that finds a model in the
ent classes meeting in one converted
want to build national service into a
Chinese?
LEONARD RUBIN
cafeteria (as in New York). Courses
massive bureaucracy spending tens
New York, Feb. 27, 1993
for the gifted and talented, and in
of millions of dollars, but will rely for
music and the arts, must be restored
help on community groups that have
in communities forced to cut back for
proved themselves. Why then turn
financial reasons.
student loans into a Federal bureau
Thomas Jefferson said, "It is not
cracy?
LAWRENCE W. O'TOOLE
enough to create just the form of a
President, New England Education
republic. We must make it work. We
Loan Marketing Corporation
must educate them to use the vote
Rupert Howard
Braintree, Mass., March 3, 1993
and be worthy of it. We must give
them free schools and universities."
closely with social workers, legal
It would be ideal to move toward
services lawyers and their Vista vol-
complete Federal funding of educa-
unteer to improve the lives of many
tion through the university level. But
low-income families.
at the very least, we should not add
My brother Thomas spent two
COLLEGE GRAD, DURING BUSH ADMINISTRATION,
INDEPRESSING MINIMUM WAGE JOB
1
100 in
NATIONAL
IF brews gradhus
goibling K PX
SERVICE
RW
BY BOK FOR THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL
COLLEGE GRAD DURING CUNTON ADMINISTRATION,
IN INSPIRING MINIMUM WAGE JOB
NYT
this
3/15
A19
Abroad at Home
ANTHONY LEWIS
Making a Difference
BOSTON
Then she helped 225 school kids train
The Mason School in Roxbury, a
at the Boston Ballet. Now the team is
largely black area of Boston, has prob-
at a school in East Boston, giving an
leins typical of an inner-city school:
environmental curriculum it helped
not enough money, an old building,
design: "basics like what to do with
children who speak different lan-
litter."
guages. But it has a determined princi-
"One of the people on my team was
pal in Mary Russo, respected teachers
a rich white girl," Daina Sutton said.
and 10 young men and women helping
"I thought, I don't want to be her
out as aides. They come from a serv-
welfare case. But we got really close."
ice group called City Year.
Diversity is a major theme of City
One of the City Year aides, Lucius
Year. Teams are mixed in race, class,
Graham, is in the first-grade class-
education. About a quarter of the 220
room. Three children - Andrea, Sha-
young people in the corps are drop-
mekia and Alvin - hang on to him,
outs, a third in college or on the way.
hugging his legs. He talks with them,
Black and white, rich and poor
then goes to the corner and helps
spoke of how daunting it had been at
three girls paint T-shirts with colors
first to be with different people.
that glow in the dark.
"It was not just skin color," said
Lucius, 18 years old, dropped out of
Andre Berry, 20, a black corps mem-
high school in the 11th grade, last
year. "The school had too many prob-
lems," he said. "You were labeled as
part of a gang. I went every day with
a weapon to protect myself."
A service corps
How did he end up in City Year,
helping in the Mason School? "There
that works.
was a City Year group building a
little park in our neighborhood. The
more I watched, the more I liked it."
Now he is in high school equivalency
ber who is now on the staff as a team
classes that City Year offers its corps
leader. "One girl on my team had a
members. If he keeps up with the work,
parent who was a brain surgeon! It
and most do, he will get a diploma.
was weird to me: Someone who's got
Stephen Noltemy, 21, got his diplo-
money - what's she doing here? But
ma that way, as a City Year corps
she became one of my close friends."
member, and now teaches in the di-
Lisa Schorr, 22, of Washington, D.C.,
ploma program. He comes from
a graduate of Sidwell Friends School
South Boston, the white stronghold of
and Harvard, is a corps member this
working-class Boston. He was in trou-
year. "I started out skeptical," she
ble, in a halfway house, when he
said. "I thought the diversity would be
joined City Year.
forced and superficial. But it isn't."
"I didn't care about too many things
Alan Khazei and Michael Brown
then," Steve said. "I was angry, preju-
had the idea of City Year and founded
diced, negative. I was less than zero.
it five years ago, after they graduated
"City Year saved my life. I don't
from Harvard Law School. Alan Kha-
want to sell anything to you, but there
zei said to me:
it is. I like to wake up in the morning
"The common ground is service.
- know what I mean?"
People have lost the sense that they
One day last week I watched City
can make a difference. Everything is
Year at work and talked with staff
so imposing: the homeless problem,
and corps members. Like Steve Nol-
drugs, the ghettos. What can I do as
temy, I feel I should discount it and
one person? This shows people that
say I am not trying to sell anything.
they can make a difference: bring life
But what I saw was impressive, even
to a community under siege, build a
moving and quite without what 1
playground, improve a school, rehab
had been half afraid I would find, the
housing for the homeless
aroma of do-goodism.
City Year is a model for the nation-
Daina Sutton, 19, had a baby in 1991
al service program proposed by Pres-
and dropped out of school. The father
ident Clinton. I had expected to write
was arrested in June 1992.
about the structural qualities that
"I really didn't want to do any-
make it such an appealing model: the
thing," she said. "Except I wanted to
lack of bureaucracy, the mix of pri-
do something for my son. City Year
vate and public funding, the entrepre-
wasn't a big deal at first. Now it's
neurial spirit. But that will have to
everything."
wait for a second column. The young
The team Daina was on started by
men and women of City Year could
making a garden in a run-down area.
not be put aside.
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Thue 11, U.S.
L.A.TIMES:03/17/93
COLUMN ONE
initiative his Administration un-
income of $50,000, meeting the
dertakes.
tuition means selling off assets
To be sure, Quaker schools, like
every year.
1 of 2
Teaching
other religious and private educa-
"I hope I can continue to do it,"
tion institutions across the country,
he said. "But you can only go to the
have the luxury of admitting only
well so many times."
Lessons
those students whose families sub-
Until the 1930s, Quaker schools
scribe to their tenets-and can
were exclusively for Quaker chil-
70/194
afford admission costs of as much
dren. Now Quakers constitute only
as $17,000 1 year, or qualify for
tiny minorities in most schools.
in Living
scholarships. at rarefied atmos-
Most Quaker schools have al-
phere frees the schools from hav-
ways been co-ed because of the
ing to contend with many of the
strong Quaker notion of equality,
problems that widely divergent
but ethnic diversity has not always
Parents and students
attitudes-and often a simple lack
been a trademark.
praise Quaker schools'
of money-create for public
At the George School, a Quaker
schools.
boarding school 25 miles north of
emphasis on personal
Nonetheless, the high expecta-
Philadelphia in Newtown, Pa., the
achievement and
tions for students' achievement,
first black child, a Jamaican Quak-
parental involvement and person-
er, was accepted after World War
community service. They
alized teaching are all trademarks
II Even by 1965, there were still
of Quaker schools that could be
fewer than 10 minority students on
may offer Clinton ideas
applied in some form to public
campus, according to Paul Mach-
for education reform.
institutions, according to Pearl
emer, a math teacher at the George
Kane, an associate professor at
School who attended the school at
Columbia University's Teachers
the time. Ethnic diversification did
By ELIZABETH SHOGREN
College.
not take off until the 1980s.
TIMES STAFF WRITER
"We look to Germany and Japan
Now a third of the students are
PHILADELPHIA-For nearly
but not in our own back yard,"
nonwhite, and students from vari-
20 minutes, the 160 sixth-, sev-
Kane said.
ous ethnic backgrounds, including
enth- and eighth-graders of the
Marta Lopez, a Latino girl from
William Penn Charter School sat in
Academic Excellence
Newark, N.J., say they experience
no racism.
silence. Finally. Marshall Roslyn, a
seventh-grader with freckles and
Thirty-eight percent of the stu-
Quaker schools, which educate
braces, offered that he likes the
dents at the George School receive
about 16,600 students nationwide,
financial aid to cover the tuition of
school's regular meetings for wor-
boast high academic achievement.
ship because he can reflect on his
$10,000 for day students and
Many of their graduates go on to
week, much as he believes God did
$17,000 for boarders.
prestigious colleges and universi-
Lopez, who is on full scholarship.
during creation.
ties and few fail to get a post-sec-
said the program has enabled her
"We can sit here and think about
ondary education. Twenty percent
to concentrate on her studies and
how good it was or how bad it
of the 102 s' dents in Sidwell's
growing up in an oasis far from the
was," said Roslyn. 12, whose fami-
class of 1992, for example, went to
troubles of inner-city life.
ly moved to Philadelphia last year
Ivy League universities.
"I don't have to deal with the
from California's San Fernando
But even more than academic
problems of friends getting preg-
Valley, where he attended public
excellence. it is a sense of commu-
nant or doing drugs because at
school. "And we can make a judg-
nity that makes Quaker schools
George School. you don't have as
ment that it was good or bad. like
special, according to students,
much of this stuff."
God did."
teachers and administrators.
To make sure students on finan-
The meeting for worship is just
"There is an inclusivity that
cial aid feel no stigma, all students
one way in which the William
Quaker education promotes. and I
do chores such as washing dishes
Penn Charter School, one of more
think that's what [Clinton] is ask-
at the cafeteria and cleaning class-
than 80 schools across the country
ing public schools to be like," said
rooms.
run by the Society of Friends, or
Stephen Watters, the middle-
William Penn Charter, on the
Quakers, tries to help its students
school headmaster at William Penn
other hand, is still not as ethnically
develop values and a sense of
Charter.
diverse as some teachers and ad-
spirituality.
Although a belief in God is not
ministrators would like, and ac-
While many Americans continue
required for admission to a Quaker
cording to students, occasional ra-
to debate whether public schools
school, central to the philosophy of
cial slurs on the playground and
should attempt to teach values, the
education is the sense that there is
epithets on the bathroom walls
students, teachers, parents and ad-
"that of God in everyone" and each
upset the otherwise harmonious
ministrators of the nation's Quaker
person should be valued for his or
atmosphere.
schools clearly have their minds
her individuality. That tenet, to-
made up: Education works best
gether with the responsibility each
when children are taught not only
person is taught to feel to the
Dealing With Race
academics but responsibility to
whole, results in a feeling of com-
school and society.
munity rare in schools, students
At Friends Select School in Phil-
Marshall's father, Joel, said the
and teachers say.
adelphia's Center City area, racism
mix of high academic standards
Competition for admission to the
is not tolerated by the faculty or
and ethics has made him a support-
schools is intense. All 124 3½-
students, but some students said
er of the Quaker teaching methods,
year-olds applying for 30 spots in
that cliques based on ethnic groups
even though he is Jewish. "There
Sidwell's ma-kindergarten class
are common and racial tension is
is a very strong moral tone to the
next fall are rd aired to take intel-
evident, especially in debates over
school, and I like that." said the
ligence tests, which is unusually
figures like Malcolm X.
senior Roslyn, a surgeon.
tough competition even for top
Helping children develop their
About 130 miles south of Phila-
private schools.
own values happens naturally, ac-
delphia, another father is getting a
"It's worse than applying for
cording to teachers, students, par-
firsthand look at Quaker education.
Harvard Law School," said Jim
ents and administrators, because
President Clinton and his wife,
Ritzenberg, a lawyer who graduat-
they all consider it important.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, have en-
ed from Sidwell in 1975 and whose
"There's not a specific program
rolled their daughter, Chelsea, in
3½-year-old daughter. Kate, is
of values," said Fred LaMotte. the
Washington's Sidwell Friends
going through the application pro-
teacher who coordinates communi-
school.
cess. "It's definitely become more
ty service projects at William Penn
Although the Clintons were crit-
competitive over the years."
Charter, a 295-year-old school
icized by some public school advo-
While criticism of Quaker
with an enrollment of 810. "Teach-
cates for shunning a public educa-
schools from outsiders is rare, the
ers are viewed as midwives letting
tion in favor of a private one,
little that does emerge centers on
values come forth." Simplicity,
Sidwell's diverse student body and
the institutions' cost. Some admin-
spirituality, reflection and peace
its emphasis on community service
istrators and middle-class parents
are all encouraged, however.
made the decision more acceptable
whose children attend the schools
LaMotte said that because most
for many liberals.
are concerned that rising tuitions
youngsters often spend much more
Having declared his intention to
are squeezing out the middle class.
time at school than with their
improve the nation's schools, the
Ray Green, a William Penn
parents, it's unnatural for schools
President could decide to incorpo-
Charter alumnus whose two chil-
to ignore values because "kids
rate some of what he sees at
dren attend the school, says that
desperately want to talk about
Sidwell into any school reform
with his family's annual pretax
what is right and wrong."
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
262
L.A.TIMES:03/23/93
"I think society's problems just
Community Classrooms
got to a point where they were
staring all of us in the face in a way
Here is a sampling of schools that offer courses blending community
they hadn't before," said Susan
Stroud, a senior adviser in Clinton's
service with traditional classwork.
Office of National Service. "Five or
UCLA: The Los Angeles riots fueled interest in service classes.
six years ago, you didn't just trip
About 1,500 students will take 45 service courses this academic year.
over homeless people in the
Volunteer work includes designing brochures for health clinics,
streets. Now there's no big city in
tutoring children at homeless shelters and counseling at halfway
the U.S. where you don't."
houses.
Gaudiani, the Connecticut Col-
Stanford University: Thirty-six courses taken by about 600
lege president, said many of the
students. Freshman English students write pamphlets, newsletters
young volunteers are children of
and other materials for community groups; communications students
1960s activists who had responded
discuss violence and stereotyping on television with elementary
to a call for national service by
school children.
another young President-John F.
Kennedy. "I definitely hear an
Santa Clara University: More than 600 students volunteer at
echo of a loud sound made 30 years
homeless shelters and other agencies as part of their work in two
dozen service classes, ranging from Christian ethics to abnormal
ago," said Gaudiani.
psychology.
Clinton's exhortations of "shared
sacrifice" and "putting people
Rutgers University: In its third year, the New Jersey college's Civic
first" are reminiscent of Kennedy's
Education and Community Service Program involves 1,000 students,
words, and students such as Marla
15 courses and half a dozen academic departments. Projects include
Maxfield seem to be taking the
delivering meals to AIDS patients and teaching dance to inner-city
message to heart. Maxfield is a
children. Honors students must take a service course to graduate.
Stanford junior who spends two
Michigan State University: Under one of the oldest programs in the
nights a week tutoring a 5-year-
nation, students in business law work as crisis counselors at a shelter
old homeless boy in math and
for battered women; sociology and anthropology majors volunteer in
reading.
convalescent homes and day care centers.
"I think a lot of us here feel
Bentley College: Accounting students at this business college in
extremely lucky, because we're
Waltham, Mass., prepare income tax returns for the elderly; others
privileged to be getting this expen-
sive, wonderful education," said
operate a beauty salon at a women's shelter. Thirty of the 200
Maxfield, whose volunteer work is
full-time professors offer service courses. No such courses existed
part of a history course. "This is a
three years ago.
chance to give something back,
and the rewards, well. they're just
really incredible."
ed community work. The universi-
narrowness of vision and lack of
But what distinguishes Maxfield
ty spends $20,000 annually on
commitment to social issues."
and other students from their al-
grants to help professors include
Even in the heyday of the Me
truistic forebears is the educational
public service in their curriculum.
Generation the researchers detect-
link-the belief that service is not
and employs two part-time staff
ed some simmering of altruism. but
only of value to society, but an
members who assist faculty and
found that the colleges provided no
important asset to classroom learn-
develop volunteer opportunities in
organized way for young people to
ing as well.
the community.
act on their convictions.
"If my students weren't becom-
While this trend is new, the
ing better writers through commu-
concept of service-learning cer-
tainly is not. Its intellectual origins
T
roubled by similar impressions,
nity service, then we wouldn't be
three university presidents
doing it," said Stanford professor
may trace to John Dewey's philos-
founded Campus Compact in 1985.
Ann Watters, whose freshman
ophy of education, which includes
and the organization-which pro-
English students produce newslet-
the idea that learning and life
motes student participation in
ters, pamphlets and other materials
experience are linked and society is
community service-has given an
for the Red Cross and other com-
the arena in which education OC-
authoritative voice of support to
munity organizations.
curs.
the service-learning movement.
"But they are learning to write
The roots of the recent boom lie
Theories to explain the rebound
better, because they are writing
in the 1980s. Researchers from the
in student altruism are plentiful,
things that make a difference to
Carnegie Foundation for the Ad-
but most experts agree that deep-
someone. Somebody cares if
vancement of Teaching visited col-
ening social woes-and the sense
they're persuasive, somebody
leges and found that "a preoccupa-
that government is not fully ad-
cares if they get the facts straight.
tion with personal interests seemed
dressing those woes-play a major
That makes a difference-it pushes
to dominate, and that there was a
role.
them to do better work."
THURSDAY. MARCH 18. 1993
The Washington Post
More on National Service
A
S YOU listen to President Clinton and
government? The answer depends on how the
others talk about national service, what
administration proposes to reconcile loans with
you're really hearing is a medley. One
service. Will students mix and match grants,
strain is a sort of anthem about a patriotic and
loans and service jobs up to a fixed aid ceiling? Or
dedicated citizen corps. The other strain is more
will grants to the needy fall further behind in this
of a lament. It's about the cumbersome and
ever-spiraling race for tuition funds?
wasteful student aid programs and how service to
Compare, for example, the subsidy of a grant
one's country can change the way students fi-
recipient (next year's annual maximum will be
nance their college educations.
$2,300) with the potential subsidy of a student
Don't confuse the two melodies. Building on a
who receives a government loan to attend a
civilian corps, which already exists in some un-
private college and then puts in two years at the
structured fashion, is a lot easier and cheaper
local shelter. The loan/service benefit hasn't
than rebuilding the system of grants and subsi-
been calculated, but it could be worth as much as
dized loans that helps more than half of all
$20,000 if certain accounts are to believed. Fair?
undergraduates attend college. To prop up the
Yes, according to proponents, because the coun-
sagging ethic of service takes not much more
try will be getting something of value in return.
than pep talks and seed money. To repair the
But such a program portends a further imbalance
student aid programs takes a whole lot more.
between the grant program, which competes for
The administration proposes to spend $7.4
funds, and loan programs, which are essentially
billion over four years on its national service
entitlements. Depending on eligibility rules still
initiative. It's not clear how many of the esti-
being crafted by the White House, it also threat-
mated 100,000 service slots would be reserved
ens to pit poor students against wealthy ones and
specifically for students who want to have their
traditional students against the substantial num-
college loans forgiven. But no matter how many
ber of older, part-timers with family obligations.
enroll, it would be a mere fraction of the total.
William James once called national service "the
Almost 5 million students were loan recipients in
moral equivalent of war." These days, with tuitions
1991, at a cost of $13.5 billion. Clearly the
what they are, the same might be said of student
national service "option" of which the administra-
aid, long one of society's great equalizers. What
tion speaks wouldn't be an option for most.
you'll hear next will be the battle cries. The fight
Repayment, whether contingent on income or by
will be about more than the worth of national
conventional means, will continue to be the norm.
service, which deserves a true debate. It will be
Would the relatively small number who serve
about whether the government can rightfully buy
get something of disproportionate value from the
out some students' loans and not those of others.
NYT
3/19
Abroad at Home
ANTHONY LEWIS
Small Is Powerful
BOSTON
been starved lately in America.
Gary Orren, professor of public pol-
Working together for a public good
icy at Harvard's Kennedy School,
satisfies that felt hunger.
usually teaches and writes about
I think there is another reason for
elective politics. This year, on sabbat-
City Year's success in making people
ical, he is leading a team of 11 young
prize communitarian values. It is
men and women in the service group
small. The teams are 11, the whole
City Year. He has found the experi-
core here in Boston 220. It works as
ence so gripping that with the Ken-
the Greek philosophers thought a
nedy School's permission he is going
city-state should work: with every
to spend a second year at it.
individual feeling a responsibility for
"This is the first time I've ever felt
the whole.
I-touched civic education," Professor
The importance of smallness is re-
Orren said when I visited City Year.
flected in what Alan Khazei believes,
"Our team created a beautiful gar-
based on City Year experience, about
den in Dorchester, 17 vegetable plots
the national service program pro-
in what had been a junk area, a place
posed by President Clinton.
for mischief. Now we work at a school
"A national program should be de-
in East Boston where 80 percent of
centralized," he said, "so you don't
the children are in families below the
have one monolithic structure. Fed-
poverty line. You can see the kids'
eral money should be matched lo-
eyes as they watch black and white
cally, from public and private
young people working together.
sources: diverse sources so you have
many ideas."
Until last year, when some Federal
The City Year
demonstration money came in, City
Year has been financed entirely pri-
model of
vately. Its teams are sponsored by
local institutions. There is a Bank of
national service.
Boston team, for example, and one
funded by a consortium of Boston law
firms.
"Private money has been essential
for us," Mr. Khazei said. "It let us
They've never imagined that."
experiment. It gave us an entrepre-
How does City Year's diversity
neurial culture - and held us to our
work in a city that has known such
promises. The danger in any national
racial tension? The idea is that the
program is bureaucracy. Our answer
barriers of race and class will break
is to have the job done on the ground
down when team members work to-
by not-for-profit organizations."
gether on a project: a garden, a
In that sense City Year is a model
school, whatever. In practice the idea
for what David Osborne and Ted
does, visibly, succeed.
Gaebler advocated in their 1992 book,
"There's no magic here," Alan
"Reinventing Government," which
Khazei, one of City Year's founders,
President Clinton has praised. They
said. "I think the possibilities are
called for decentralized authority, en-
inherent in human nature. People
trepreneurial spirit, less bureaucra-
work together almost because they
cy.
have to.
"We think national service is the
"Here we are, the richest country
best place to reinvent government,"
in history, and in Boston we have
Mr. Khazei said. "All the others -
4,000 homeless people and a school
health and so on - have SO many
dropout rate of nearly 40 percent.
vested interests. If you can reinvent
Why?
government here, you can use the
"One reason is that we've lost the
ideas elsewhere."
sense of community. People are too
The Federal Government, then,
separate from each other. We look to
would be a catalyst and partial
big, remote institutions to solve our
funder of local groups like City Year.
problems. 'They should do something
That would not satisfy those who
about it.'
want a large, immediate, centralized
"Service can bring people together.
national service program. But the
And this is inherently American. It's
faults of such programs have become
about citizenship, participation, com-
all too evident. Justice Louis Bran-
munity, grass roots."
deis's vision of progressive American
Gary Orren put it that along with
federalism, emphasizing smallness
individualism there is a communitar-
and local freedom to experiment, is
ian instinct in each of us, but it has
coming back. And that is City Year.
service to their country."
people to commit a year of their lives to
important than its ability to excite young
depend upon many factors, but none more
success of any national service system will
version of a national service program, "The
for AmeriCorps, as they have called their
According to their eight-page proposal
administration to consider.
together recommendations for the Clinton
been asking themselves as they have put
People's National Service Coalition have
GLOBE
THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE
MARCH 21, 1993
founding members of the Young
That's the question the 16
to national service?
HOLMES, 43
interested in committing a year
re America's young people really
SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE
By Diane Manuel
service
devoted to
A life
Deirdre
Lexington native formulating national service proposals for Clinton
HOLMES
"I jokingly tell my friends that all
now is majoring in Third World
college, some were in graduate
divided nation together with a com-
Continued from Page 42
The emphasis in the AmeriCor
my children do City Year, says
studies and running an after-school
school, some were in high school and
mon purpose." The program that re-
document that has been forward
So far, the response has been
Deirdre's mother, Elske, who runs a
program for kids in Ob "lin's two
others had started or were running
sulted from those eetings builds on
to the White House Office of Natio
good.
drop-in center for mothers of young
public elementary scho based on
service organizations. It was incredi-
the concept of cal ownership and
al Service clearly is on attractir
"Everyone who's come to me
children in Lexington. "Her younger
her experience with City Year.
bly motivating."
operation of community programs,
young people from all background
with questions has been really en-
brother worked in Roxbury for a
"Everyone knew our bright red
The weekend brainstorming ses-
and stresses that initiatives devel-
and Deirdre says that was a concer
thusiastic," says coalition member
year, too, between high school and
jackets in Egleston Square, and it
sion was funded by the Commission
oped by young people should be giv-
of the coalition organizers.
Deirdre Holmes, a 24-year-old Lex-
college."
was really nice to feel the communi-
on National and Community Service,
en top priority.
"From what Clinton said initially
ington native who is currently in her
Elske Holmes adds that her
ty's appreciation," she recalls of the
an independent federal agency es-
Under its broad aegis, service
it seemed like compensation for ser
senior year at Oberlin College in
daughter's interest in community
college semester she spent in Bos-
tablished by Congress in 1990 that
programs already in place, such as
vice work would be limited to loa
Ohio. "Some are friends of mine
service drove her choice of colleges
ton. "By the time our program end-
awards some $63 million each year
the Peace Corps and VISTA, might
forgiveness, and that the whol
who've been involved with communi-
after she graduated from Lexington
ed, the housing project where we
to model community service projects
be extended or used as models for
program would only be open to stu
ty service for a long time and whose
High School. Deirdre attended
were based felt it had been success-
such as City Year.
fledgling environmental and conser-
dents who had been able to get int
hobby has suddenly become a na-
Friends' World College, a small,
ful enough that they wanted to hire a
The coalition of which Deirdre is
vation corps. Information about
college and had graduated and ha
tional issue. And others are students
multicampus school that emphasized
local coordinator to continue it.
a member is one of many groups
AmeriCorps could be circulated by
loans to pay back," she says. "W
who are about to graduate with
experiential learning.
"What was important to me was
submitting proposals for a national
high school guidance counselors,
wanted to open the program up, S
$20,000 loans hanging over their
that the program kept right on run-
service program.
computer data bases and nationwide
that more people could benefit from
heads, and who are excited to hear
Wanted something practical
ning after we left, on the strength of
"After Clinton was elected, the
mailings. Service options are sug-
it."
that there may be a way for them to
"She wanted to do something
volunteer help. It wasn't like the
commission wanted to help develop
gested for a wide range of settings,
While Deirdre waits to hear fror
pay that money back."
practical, rather than reading books
community was dependent on an
an organization of young people to
from rural agriculture to urban hu-
the Clinton administration, she say
Deirdre was nominated to serve
all the time," says Elske Holmes.
outside group coming in. That has
lobby the administration about how
man services.
she and the other 15 members of the
on the grass-roots coalition last fall
Deirdre registered at the col-
been my model ever since."
to structure its national service pro-
coalition are reading local newspa
by an aide to Ohio Gov. George Voin-
lege's New York City campus, spent
When Deirdre was invited to
grams," says Chris Murphy, a
Submitted to transition team
pers daily and staying in touch with
ovich in recognition of her efforts in
a semester with City Year in Boston
Washington in late November for a
program officer for the commission.
The proposals were submitted to
everyone they know in Washington.
founding Ohio Campus Compact, a
and also worked with community
three-day meeting at the Dupont
"We wanted to bring together a di-
the Clinton transition team, and
"It looks like there will-be fund-
statewide community service organi-
service projects in Costa Rica before
Plaza Hotel, she says the emphasis
verse group of young people to hash
Murphy says the feedback was good.
ing for at least 1,000 students this
zation. Prior to that, she had worked
the Quaker-affiliated college ran out
was on student diversity and
out what a national service plan
Bill Galston, a former George Wash-
summer," she says, "and I sure
with Boston's City Year program in
of funds and folded. She transferred
program diversity.
might look like."
ington University professor who now
would be interested in continuing
Egleston Square, setting up after-
to Oberlin mostly because she had
"The 16 of us came from all over
According to its proposal, Ameri-
is a deputy assistant to the president
with the program on the community
school programs for inner-city chil-
heard good things about students'
the country," she recalls. "Our ages
Corps is designed to "heal the
for domestic policy, was especially
level, but not on the political, orga-
dren.
involvement with global issues. She
were 17 to 33, and some of us were in
wounds of the 1980s" and "bring a
supportive.
nizing end in Washington."
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
3/22/93
lion uninsured. Sin taxes alone, however,
won't be enough. Last week Magaziner
The Political Interest/Michael Kramer
privately asked representatives of large
and small businesses how best to cap costs
in the short term while phasing in benefits
more slowly. That idea concerns some in
the White House. who insist, as one put it,
Life After High School
"We have to create winners before we cre-
ate losers."
"IF I EVER WIN THIS DEAL," BILL CLINTON SAID 14 MONTHS AGO, "AND IF
In the past two weeks, the AMA, U.S.
I'm remembered for only one thing, I hope it's national service. It's the
Chamber of Commerce and the Pharma-
best money we could ever spend, and I mean to spend it."
ceutical Manufacturers Association have
As good as his word, Clinton is pushing a four-year, $7.4 billion ap-
publicly jumped on the managed-competi-
propriation for national service, the plan that would permit students to
tion bandwagon. Under fire from the
finance their post-secondary education by working for up to two years in
White House for price gouging, the drug-
a variety of community jobs. Even with a price tag that steep, however,
makers last week asked the Justice De-
the program can fund at most 150,000 Americans a year by 1997, a frac-
partment to grant an exemption from anti-
tion of the potential demand and a far cry from Clinton's campaign
trust prosecution so that they can
pledge that "every young American could borrow the money necessary
negotiate voluntary price restraints. "The
to go to college" by "giving two years of his life to rebuild America."
train is leaving the station," said a drug
A spirited debate has arisen as the plan's advocates maneuver to craft
lobbyist. "We're just trying to slow the
its details. The key question involves the program's target audience. The
train down long enough
to
get
on
Administration is currently considering giving up to $10,000 a year to
board."
those who serve after graduating from college, twice the sum contemplat-
Until now. Hillary has not submerged
ed for those who complete their work stint after high school. Neither fig-
herself in the day-to-day work of the task
ure would come close to purchasing a private education, but the White
force but has been briefed regularly by Ma-
House says four years at many state universities could be covered by
gaziner. For the most part, she has played
$20,000. The three legislators most associated with national service over
congressional lobbyist, paying calls on
the years-Representative Dave McCurdy and Senators Sam Nunn and
members and listening for ideas while a
Barbara Mikulski-are dead set against favoring college grads. "Skew it to
trio of aides take copious notes. Lawmak-
those who've completed college," says Nunn, "and you've wiped out a ma-
ers report that the First Lady, for all her
jor rationale for the plan, which is to get kids of varied backgrounds to
reputed aloofness, knows the right moves.
work together in a common civic experience. You also want to aid as many
When Illinois Democrat Dan Rostenkow-
members of the college-age population as you can who want decent voca-
ski suggested to Hillary that her husband
tional training. Leave them behind and you pay later in welfare and other
was sending her into a "huge hellfire" on
costs. And besides," Nunn notes, "most of the jobs that need filling, like
health care, she adroitly replied, "You
helping the elderly in their homes-which could save billions in health-
know, Mr. Chairman, Chicago looks a lot
care costs-don't require a college degree." What's more, says American
better as a result of that fire." Legislators
University president Joe Duffey,
always get a letter the next day-and
"at least a quarter of those who
sometimes a picture-thanking them for
go to college aren't sure of what
their thoughts on very specific subjects.
they want, so many drop out. A
"This is not a casual exercise," said a top
year or so of service
White House aide. "She is making a set of
can help them get their heads
judgments about where there are sensi-
straight."
tivities and who will be natural allies."
Clinton initially became en-
She is also involved in legislative strat-
thusiastic about national ser-
egy. For the past few weeks, Democratic
vice through his participation
leaders in the Senate have been wrestling
in the Democratic Leadership
with ways to attach the health-care bill to
Council. Will Marshall of the
the economic package in a giant superbill
D.L.C.'s think tank, the Progres-
later this year. Senate rules made the
sive Policy Institute, offers sev-
gambit look unlikely from the start. but
eral other reasons for concen-
Touting the program in New Jersey
last week Hillary joined one final push on
trating on high school
the issue before Senator Robert Byrd
graduates. "First," says Marshall, "the opportunity costs to the economy
confirmed that it wouldn't be appropriate.
are lower. If a college grad delays taking a regular private-sector job, so-
The general public has yet to see the
ciety loses the tax receipts of his labor. Second, since most high school
Hillary who is everywhere at once, per-
graduates would live at home and are unmarried, we'd be spared the an-
fectly conversant on 100 different health-
cillary housing and child-care costs the program aims to pay for. Third,
care topics. For now, her goal is to avoid
job displacement is less likely. You don't want to put current wage earn-
becoming a distraction-or a target for op-
ers on the street because national servants cost an employer less."
ponents. At a health-care forum last Fri-
During a morning jog with McCurdy last Friday, Clinton confirmed
day in Tampa, Florida. a visibly tired Hil-
what others have said, that his emphasis on aiding students after college
lary listened quietly while witnesses made
derives in part from his desire to assuage middle-class voters upset with
their cases for various reforms. She usual-
his breaking his promise to lower their taxes. Fair enough, but more
ly made her comments, such as they were,
middle-class families would receive help if their children joined the pro-
in the form of a question, much as Justices
gram after high school, as a confidential transition memorandum point-
do when they hear oral arguments at the
ed out. The President ought to reread that memo and change course.
Supreme Court. Meanwhile the other 11
Hillarys were probably working back in
Washington.
38
TIME. MARCH 22. 1993
M
T
R
N
What I Can Do
that he got during his own military service, and that my
grandparents' generation did during World War II (and
after it, thanks to the GI Bill). It's the kind of patriotism
that we haven't seen during the past 20 years because
for My Country
there has been no big call to arms. My dad says that while
he might not have been acutely aware of it at the time,
because he spent a lot of time peeling potatoes and digging
foxholes, he learned some very powerful lessons about
BY CASSIE NYLEN
other people and about his country while he was in the
army, and I believe him. So he thinks my generation would
learn a lot. That sounds hokey, so I really hate to admit it,
first heard about national service while my dad and I
but I agree. Does that make me a dork, too?
were shooting hoops at the town school court last fall.
Daunting future: There are other reasons to be interest-
He asked me: "What if your country wanted you to
ed. We face awful societal problems today: crime, urban
serve, maybe in return for college money? You wouldn't
strife, drugs, racial and class conflicts, for instance, not
have to enlist in the military; maybe you'd be a teach-
to mention that this is the last season of "Cheers." The
er's aide, or clean up the environment, or something."
nation is coming apart at the seams and people don't
I answered, "A sphincter says what?" having just seen
connect with one another anymore. The future looks
"Wayne's World" for the 85th time. But after thinking
daunting. So maybe some of these problems could be solved
about it, I said, "Well, I'd say yes. Definitely maybe yes."
or at least minimized a little, if people only understood
I'm a 17-3 ar-old high-school senior at a tiny school (88
each other better. A program in which the nation's
students grades 5 to 12, to be exact) in rural western
youth could learn Low to work together would help.
Massachusetts (the boondocks to you). Next year I'll be
Here's another good point: since I go to a school where
going away to college (Haverford, specifically). By the end
virtually everyone looks, dresses and acts exactly like me, I
of my college career, I'll have thousands of dollars' worth of
wouldn't mind meeting other kinds of people for a change.
student loans to pay back.
Many kids might benefit
That scares me. So national
from this kind of exposure.
service sounds interesting:
perhaps I would work in a
National
Everybody wants to fig-
ure out how much all this
field in which I could get a
service would
idealism will cost, but if the
real job eventually, or at
program is going to work, we
least learn something, meet
give students
should first concentrate on
new people, pay back my
a chance
what it will do, and then fig-
loans and help my country
ure out the economic de-
at the same time. So, I'm
to prove
tails. The budget should
thinking, Yeah, all right,
sign me up! But then I
themselves
come after we reach a con-
sensus about what we want
think, Whoa, wait a minute
to do. This program has too
here: I have lots of ques-
much potential to let politi-
tions about national service, like, how much will I earn? (It
cians kill it before it even gets started.
doesn't have to be a lot, but I'd like to have an idea.) Where
Whoa, heavy stuff! Did I just say all that? Can a teenager
will I live? Will I be able to choose the program I want to be
have brain room left after all those hours of the very best bits
involved in, or could I wind up emptying bedpans at an old
from "Saturday Night Live" and all those Pearl Jam lyrics
folks' home (when I really want to work as a teacher's aide,
get lodged in there? That's another thing: national service
maybe in an inner-city school)? Questions like these have
would give teenagers and young people a great chance to
to be answered before somebody my age can get really
prove themselves to skeptical adults. That may be the best
excited about national service.
part of the program. But the big problem with Clinton's plan
Here's what we know so far. In his address before
now, judging from the vacant looks I see when I ask kids my
Congress last month, President Clinton said national
age about it, is that the people this plan will affect most
service is designed to help pay college tuitions for those
dramatically really don't know very much about it. Yet
students who serve their nation and their communities.
when I explained what I knew about it to my friends, they
He said twice as many people would enter national serv-
were intrigued.
ice within the first year of its operation as the number
So hey, President Clinton, use that telegenic salesman-
that participated in the Peace Corps in its whole history.
ship on us, and hold a nationally televised national-service
Good, I thought, now the plan is big enough to grab people's
summit. Don't rely on MTV alone, either, because we don't
attention in the bold way it should: the more people in-
have cable here in the boonies. Maybe you could invite
volved, the better it is for everybody. But now we learn
members of the earlier national volunteer organizations,
it'll begin as a pilot plan with a thousand people. A thou-
like VISTA, and also war veterans, vets from the Job Corps
sand people! That's not exactly what I had in mind. But
and the Civilian Conservation Corps and representatives
Clinton promises it will grow, and he's still talking about
from private volunteer organizations. Most important, you
adding new adjuncts to military service, like a police corps,
should invite some of the young people who will eventually
a teaching corps, a forestry or environmental corps and a
be enlisted to help mold the program that could end up
health-care corps. That's cool.
changing their lives. Adults owe it to their children to take
My dad is excited about the prospect of a national-serv-
action on the subject, to give them a clear stake in their
ice program-maybe a little too excited. The reason he
future. President Clinton, do it for Chelsea. But personally,
likes the idea (and keeps yammering at me about it) is that
I hope the Gore kids have to empty the bedpans.
he thinks young people will get a chance to gain the kind
of understanding of their country and what makes it work
Nylen lives in Ashfield, Mass.
10
UWSWEEK MARCH 22. 1993
lion uninsured. Sin taxes alone, however,
won't be enough. Last week Magaziner
The Political Interest/Michael Kramer
privately asked representatives of large
and small businesses how best to cap costs
in the short term while phasing in benefits
more slowly. That idea concerns some in
the White House, who insist, as one put it,
Life After High School
"We have to create winners before we cre-
ate losers."
"IF I EVER WIN THIS DEAL," BILL CLINTON SAID 14 MONTHS AGO, "AND IF
In the past two weeks, the AMA, U.S.
I'm remembered for only one thing, I hope it's national service. It's the
Chamber of Commerce and the Pharma-
best money we could ever spend, and I mean to spend it."
ceutical Manufacturers Association have
As good as his word. Clinton is pushing a four-year, $7.4 billion ap-
publicly jumped on the managed-competi-
propriation for national service, the plan that would permit students to
tion bandwagon. Under fire from the
finance their post-secondary education by working for up to two years in
White House for price gouging, the drug-
a variety of community jobs. Even with a price tag that steep. however.
makers last week asked the Justice De-
the program can fund at most 150,000 Americans a year by 1997, a frac-
partment to grant an exemption from anti-
tion of the potential demand and a far cry from Clinton's campaign
trust prosecution so that they can
pledge that "every young American could borrow the money necessary
negotiate voluntary price restraints. "The
to go to college" by "giving two years of his life to rebuild America."
train is leaving the station," said a drug
A spirited debate has arisen as the plan's advocates maneuver to craft
lobbyist. "We're just trying to slow the
its details. The key question involves the program's target audience. The
train down long enough
to
get
on
Administration is currently considering giving up to $10.000 a year to
board."
those who serve after graduating from college, twice the sum contemplat-
Until now, Hulary has not submerged
ed for those who complete their work stint after high school. Neither fig-
herself in the day-to-day work of the task
ure would come close to purchasing is private education, but the White
force but has been briefed regularly by Ma-
House says four years at many state universities could be covered by
gaziner. For the most part, she has played
$20,000. The three legislators most associated with national service over
congressional lobbyist, paying calls on
the years-Representative Dave McCurdy and Senators Sam Nunn and
members and listening for ideas while a
Barbara Mikulski-are dead set against favoring college grads. "Skew It to
trio of aides take copious notes. Lawmak-
those who've completed college," says Nunn, "and you've wiped out a ma-
ers report that the First Lady, for all her
jor rationale for the plan, which is to get kids of varied backgrounds to
reputed aloofness, knows the right moves.
work together in a common civic experience. You also want to aid as many
When Illinois Democrat Dan Rostenkow-
members of the college-age population as you can who want decent voca-
ski suggested to Hillary that her husband
tional training. Leave them behind and you pay later in welfare and other
was sending her into a "huge hellfire" on
costs. And besides," Nunn notes, "most of the jobs that need filling. like
health care, she adroitly replied, "You
helping the elderly in their homes-which could save billions in health-
know, Mr. Chairman. Chicago looks a lot
care costs-don't require a college degree." What's more, says American
better as a result of that fire." Legislators
University president Joe Duffey,
always get a letter the next day-and
"at least a quarter of those who
sometimes a picture-thanking them for
go to college aren't sure of what
their thoughts on very specific subjects.
they want, SO many drop out. A
"This is not a casual exercise," said a top
year or so of service
White House aide. "She is making a set of
can help them get their heads
CYNTHIA JOHNSON FOR TIME
judgments about where there are sensi-
straight."
tivities and who will be natural allies."
Clinton initially became en-
She is also involved in legislative strat-
thusiastic about national ser-
egy. For the past few weeks, Democratic
vice through his participation
leaders in the Senate have been wrestling
in the Democratic Leadership
with ways to attach the health-care bill to
Council. Will Marshall of the
the economic package in a giant superbill
D.L.C.'s think tank. the Progres-
later this year. Senate rules made the
sive Policy Institute, offers sev-
gambit look unlikely from the start, but
eral other reasons for concen-
Touting the program in New Jersey
last week Hillary joined one final push on
trating on high school
the issue before Senator Robert Byrd
graduates. "First," says Marshall, "the opportunity costs to the economy
confirmed that it wouldn't be appropriate.
are lower. If a college grad delays taking a regular private-sector job, so-
The general public has yet to see the
ciety loses the tax receipts of his labor. Second, since most high school
Hillary who is everywhere at once, per-
graduates would live at home and are unmarried, we'd be spared the an-
fectly conversant on 100 different health-
cillary housing and child-care costs the program aims to pay for. Third,
care topics. For now, her goal is to avoid
job displacement is less likely. You don't want to put current wage earn-
becoming a distraction-or a target for op-
ers on the street because national servants cost an employer less."
ponents. At a health-care forum last Fri-
During a morning jog with McCurdy last Friday, Clinton confirmed
day in Tampa. Florida, a visibly tired Hil-
what others have said, that his emphasis on aiding students after college
lary listened quietly while witnesses made
derives in part from his desire to assuage middle-class voters upset with
their cases for various reforms. She usual-
his breaking his promise to lower their taxes. Fair enough, but more
ly made her comments, such as they were,
middle-class families would receive help if their children joined the pro-
in the form of a question, much as Justices
gram after high school, as a confidential transition memorandum point-
do when they hear oral arguments at the
ed out. The President ought to reread that memo and change course.
Supreme Court. Meanwhile the other 11
Hillarys were probably working back in
Washington.
38
TIME. MARCH 22. 1993
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PUBLIC LIVES
By Joe Klein
Clinton's Project Addiction
S it just that his immediate predecessor was the affably
feats of governance
or utter disasters, depending on how
inert George Bush, or is Bill Clinton's breathless rush to
they're designed. But the president is too obsessed with the
announce new initiatives beginning to seem just a little
big picture to sweat the small stuff. He is hooked on projects.
bit out of control? There's something new every week. And
In this respect, he's a lot like the private sector: for the past
not just new: ambitious, precarious, wildly adventurous.
quarter century, American business has been great at R(e-
Last week it was a S20 billion defense-conversion plan,
search), but too impatient to be very good at D(evelopment).
rushed out to take the edge off Les Aspin's military-base
It's been left to the Japanese, and others, to take bright
Armageddon. Good luck: "The record of massive defense
American ideas-like VCRs-and figure out how to manu-
conversion is one unblemished by success," Kenneth Adel-
facture them. Clinton doesn't have that luxury. He can't
man and Norman Augustine noted in
subcontract with Sony to run HUD (al-
Foreign Affairs a year ago. The presi-
though it might not be a bad idea).
dent's attempt at techno-alchemy is
As it is, several recently announced
more modest than massive, but no
Clinton initiatives are foundering, vic-
less chancy.
tims of politics as usual and sloppy-
It appears to be composed, in equal
think. To name three: national service
parts, of a wing and a prayer. One part
is being picked apart by lobbyists (espe-
would encourage defense companies to
cially bankers who make money on stu-
develop technologies that could also
dent loans). The chances for a real man-
have commercial uses: the V-22 Os-
aged-competition health-care system
prey, if it ever stops crashing in tests,
were crippled last week when Hillary
may prove an effective short-haul com-
Clinton announced that health bene-
mercial aircraft (if a market exists for
fits, no matter how plush, wouldn't be
short-haul commercial aircraft, a topic
taxed-a favor to unions who've gone
of some debate among those who care).
easy on salary demands in recent years
Another part was a beefed-up worker-
to maintain solid-gold health plans.
retraining program which, skeptics
And the mass-vaccination plan may be
say, is only marginally more effective
overkill engendered by ideological my-
than distributing lottery tickets to
opia-parental irresponsibility has as
those who've been laid off.
much to do with the problem as the
Which is not to say defense conver-
price of vaccine (which may be kept
sion shouldn't be tried. Even if all $20
high by the threat of lawsuits).
billion is wasted, it's a more hopeful,
Downsides: A great deal is at stake
creative use of the money than tossing
here. The public is profoundly skeptical
people out of work and spending a sig-
of government activism-but. in 1992.
nificant fraction thereof on unemploy-
its skepticism was overcome by the fear
ment insurance. And it won't all be
America was unprepared for the new,
wasted: no doubt, some defense con-
LARRY DOWNING-NEWSWEER
tractors will come up with products
A wing and a prayer: In New Jersey
cold, high-tech globalism. If Clinton
doesn't run his government with rigor
even more useful than Tang (NASA's
and a neo-Asian emphasis on "process
gift to breakfast, you may recall). And. given a chance to
technologies" (that is, the way the products are made), his
experiment in the retraining area, Labor Secretary Robert
tentative mandate could evaporate. If it does, creative gov-
Reich-who is refreshingly honest about current pros-
ernance could be mothballed for a generation.
pects-may well find some strategies that work. But this is
There are those, of course, who argue this wouldn't be
all risky business. It will have to be watched carefully. The
awful. But national service, if well executed, could be as
plug will have to be pulled quickly on ideas that don't
important to the next generation as the GI Bill was to the
work; ideas that do must be left free to thrive. The trouble
last-and shake up the nation's stagnant. cynical, unionized
is, government is awful at this: plugs never get pulled. The
civil service in the process. And high-tech infrastructure
few ideas that thrive tend to be regulated rather than
ideas like smart highways" could propel the next economic
replicated. Inertia rules.
growth spurt. just as Dwight Eisenhower's interstate high-
Unfortunately, Bill Clinton seems blithely unconcerned
ways helped sustain the last. And a carefully crafted aid
about process. He rolls out concepts, rather than fully gestat-
program for Russia could have as much impact on future
ed programs-national service. high tech. universal vacci-
tranquillity and economic growth as did the Marshall Plan.
nations, billions tossed about for housing (even though his
Indeed. the president might do well to follow Bob Dole's
own department of housing admitted last week that it can't
recent advice: chill out, take the weekend off, have a diet
manage the programs it has) and, coming soon. Yeltsin
Coke-and then take a closer look at the programs you've
relief-any and all of which could be brilliant, transcendent
already offered before you try anything new.
32 NEWSWEEK MARCH 22 1993
u0107usnwr
r W bc-volunteer-summit 03-23
First Summit on Community Service Held in Washington; Focus
on Shifting the Paradigm of Volunteer Participation
To: National Desk
Contact: Judi Vallano of The Points of Light Foundation,
202-408-5162
WASHINGTON, March 23 /U.S. Newswire/ --- Major leaders in the
nonprofit arena met today at the first summit on community service,
sponsored by the Washington D.C. -based Points of Light Foundation.
The summit was held to advance the findings of the foundation's
"Changing the Paradigm" project which challenges the way in which
nonprofit organizations engage volunteers to help organizations
achieve their missions.
Summit events included a discussion of the implications of policy
and practice of President Bill Clinton's national service agenda as
presented by Dr. William Galston, special assistant to the president
for domestic affairs at the White House.
Held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the summit attracted more
than 150 leaders or nonprofit organizations and local volunteer
center administrators. "As an organization that relies solely on a
volunteer workforce, we must create conditions in which volunteers
can flourish, said Tom McKenna, executive director of Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of America and member of the foundation's
advisory committee overseeing the Paradigm project. "The volunteer
has a special quality you just can't find in a paid employee, and the
Paradigm project is meaningful because it gives significance to
volunteers and how they should be valued."
The "Changing the Paradigm" project was created in response to
suggestions by the voluntary sector, business and government to give
priority atnitarian movement; Richard Schubert, president and CEO, the
Points of Light Foundation; Rev. Thomas Harvey, former executive
director, Catholic Charities USA; Katherine Noyes, president,
Association for Volunteer Administration; Walt Smith, corporate
consulate, IBM Corp.; Dr. Norman Brown, president and CEO, the
Kellogg Foundation, and Sheldon Goldberg, president, American
Association of Homes for the Aging.
The Points of Light Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit
organization dedicated to mobilizing leaders to motivate the American
public for community service aimed at solving serious social
problems.
-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
03/23 10:26
r W bo-summer-teachers 03-23
White House Announces New Summer Program for Teachers
To: National Desk, Education Writer
Contact: White House Office of Press Secretary, 202-456-2100
WASHINGTON, March 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Hundreds of middle and
high school teachers from across the country will sharpen their
science and mathematics skills at 16 world-class federal
laboratories and facilities under a new Summer Teacher Enhancement
Program announced today by Dr. John H. Gibbons, President Clinton's
assistant for science and technology.
The four-week Summer Teacher Enhancement Program will retrain 800
teachers each year in mathematics, science, and technology by
exposing them to hands-on projects and experiments conducted by
scientists and engineers in the nation's R&D laboratories. In
addition, the teachers will work on-site with education specialists
to learn how to use new curriculum and teaching aids.
"This innovative program moves beyond traditional education
training by teaming teachers with working experts on actual
projects,' said Dr. Gibbons. "As teachers return to their
classrooms, not only will they be better eqipped to inspire students
to carrers in science, engineering, and mathematics, they will seed
the t acher corps with new ideas as well."
The program takes a unique approach to teacher retraining that
combines classic instruction with hands-on experience in an intense
four-week period. It is the first such program to collaborate SO
broadly across the agencies. Each host facility will set its own
criteria for selection of participants. Follow-up contacts between
participants and facility experts will provide continuing education
beyond the four-week period. An external evaluation of the program
will be jointly funded by the National Science Foundation and the
Department of Energy, with input from the other agencies involved.
The $4 million Summer Teacher Enhancement Program is funded
through the Department of Energy and was arranged through the
Committee on Education and Human Resources of the Federal
Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering and Technology
(FCCSET). The Council coordinates federal R&D programs and other
multi-agency activities, and is comprised of Cabinet members from the
major federal departments and the heads of federal science agencies.
Dr. Gibbons is also the Chair of FCCSET.
The following 16 federal laboratories and facilities will each
host 50 middle school or high school teachers from their regions:
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.; Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. ; Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory,
Berkeley, Calif.; Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore,
Calif. ; Environmental Research Laboratories, Boulder, Co.;
Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History,
Washington, D.C.; Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Ill.;
National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, La.; Sandia
National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M.; Research and Development
Center, Research Triangle Park, N.C.; Breidenbach Environmental
Research Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Cooperative Extension Service,
Clemson, S.C.; Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education,
Oak Ridge, Tenn. ; Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory, Dallas;
Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility, Newport News, Va. ; and
Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Wash.
For additional information about specific sites and programs,
please contact Cindy Musick, education development specialist, Office
of University and Science Education, U.S. Department of Energy,
Washington, D.C. 202-586-0982.
-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
03/23 13:59
NEW YORK TIMES
Sunday, March 14, 1993
page 16
LS/LETTERS SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 1993
National Service Proposal Exploits the Poor
To the Editor:
burdens on young Americans merely
years abroad as a Peace Corps volun-
President Clinton's call for "Na-
because they are financially disad-
teer in the Micronesian Islands. He
tional Service - Now" (Op-Ed, Feb.
vantaged.
VIRGINIA G. Ciocco
was a teacher who traveled to many
28) appears to stem from noble inten-
New York, March 1, 1993
of the islands as an administrator and
tions, but it is eminently unfair.
The writer is a former high school
to give its inhabitants basic educa-
In exchange for Federal Govern-
supervisor and assistant principal in
tional instruction.
ment loans enabling students to at-
New Jersey.
Whatever improvements we made
tend college, Mr. Clinton would have
in the lives of others simply does not
them serve as teachers, police offi-
cers, nurses or social workers for one
A Double Bargain
compare to what we learned from the
community we served, from the vol-
or two years at low wages.
To the Editor:
unteers, new friendships, insights into
It should not be acceptable for
"National Service Now" (Op-Ed,
the human condition and ourselves. A
these positions to be considered low.
Feb. 28) by Bill Clinton reminded me
volunteer in national service may be
paying public service jobs. Those
of my year in the Vista program,
a bargain for government; I would
whose employment involves saving
Volunteers in Service to America
have paid a premium for the opportu-
and protecting the lives of others or
more than 12 years ago in Decatur,
nity.
RICHARD J. MONTELIONE
educating our youth, are as important
IL 1 was a college graduate originally
New York, Feb. 28, 1993
as, for example, those who can create
from New York earning a little more
a better stealth bomber.
than $300 a month working as a credit
What of those who want to make a
and housing specialist. My sponsor
Big Brother Wants You
career in teaching. law enforcement,
was & nonprofit agency, which was
To the Editor:
nursing or social work? Would com-
efficient and did not resemble a gov-
Kim Grose's vision of extending
munities pressed for funds be willing
ernment bureaucracy.
President Clinton's national service
to employ regular staffs when they
I learned how to organize elderly
idea to children (Op-Ed, Feb. 23) is
can have the benefit of college gradu-
home, owners against unscrupulous
frightening for what it ignores: the
ates at half-pay? Would the income of
realtors, I counseled families on
issue of compulsion. The Indiana stu-
the regular employees ever increase
budgeting their funds, worked toward
dents who care for wildlife, the Har-
to reflect their value to society?
preventing evictions and negotiated
lem children who field a "peace
The children of the rich will not be
with utility companies to have electri-
team," do so out of their own concern.
required to participate in this pro-
cal power restored to families who
The antithesis is expressed in an
gram. They will be able to settle into
had power terminated for nonpay-
old Army gag: I need three volun-
their chosen careers immediately on
ment. During this time I worked
teers, you, you and you.
graduation from college.
We risk the kind of violation of civil
This tuition-for-service program
rights for which America was invent-
will not, as Mr. Clinton says, "insure
ed as recourse. It would be a sign that
that our schools offer the best educa-
our ship has turned full around, to-
tion in the world."
ward propagation of individual mor-
For that, dramatic changes will be
als and behavior from the top. The
necessary in our public schools. We
program would accelerate this mo-
must correct conditions that permit a
tion by giving Government the dual
class size of more than 50 students
role of demanding that good works be
(as in Los Angeles) or of two differ-
done and defining what works are
ent classes meeting in one converted
good (much as public schools teach
cafeteria (as in New York). Courses
the virtue of public education, which
for the gifted and talented, and in
is elsewhere open to question).
music and the arts, must be restored
What a way to make kids love
in communities forced to cut back for
public service.
financial reasons.
We the people, or at least those with
Thomas Jefferson said, "It is not
any control over our own lives, are
enough to create just the form of a
already eyeing routes of escape,
republic. We must make it work. We
ready to devote more energy to ob-
must educate them to use the vote
Rupert Howard
taining the freedom of our own chil-
and be worthy of it. We must give
dren than we devote to reducing our
them free schools and universities."
closely with social workers, legal
taxes - oops, our contributions.
It would be ideal to move toward
services lawyers and their Vista vol-
Just as Kim Grose says, people
complete Federal funding of educa-
unteer to improve the lives of many
"who serve in their childhood years
tion through the university level. But
low-income families.
will be better equipped to partici-
at the very least, we should not add
My brother Thomas spent two
pate actively in society throughout
their lives." But in what kind of soci-
ety? One that finds a model in the
Chinese?
LEONARD RUBIN
New York, Feb. 27, 1993
Excerpted from
the
Presidentisth Duspeechodas
4/21
We must keep finding new ways to be a force for positive
change. For example, the federal government is the largest purchaser
of computer equipment in the world, and computers are the fastest
growing area of electricity use. That's why I am also signing an
executive order today requiring the federal government to purchase
energy-efficient computers. We're going to expand the market for a
technology where America pioneered and still leads the world, and
we'll save energy, saving the taxpayers $40 million a year, and set
an example for our country and for the world.
For as long as I live and work in the White House, I
want Americans to see it not only as a symbol of clean government,
but also a clean environment. That's why I'm announcing an energy
and environmental audit of the White House. We're going to identify
what it takes to make the White House a model for efficiency and
waste reduction. It might mean fewer memos and less paper.
(Laughter.) And then we're going to get the job done. I want to
make the White House a model for other federal agencies, for state
and local governments, for business, and for families in their homes.
Before I ask you to do the best you can in your house, I ought to
make sure I'm doing the best I can in my house. (Applause.)
I ask that all of us today reaffirm our willingness to
assume responsibility for our common environment, and to do it
willingly, hopefully, and joyously. We are challenged here today not
so much to sacrifice as to celebrate and create. I've challenged
Americans who are young in years or young in spirit to offer their
time and their talent to serve their communities and their country.
I've asked them to help in teaching our children, healing the sick,
policing our streets.
But equally important are efforts to protect our
environment from our largest cities to our smallest towns to our
suburbs. Our National Service Plan will ask thousands of American to
do their part, from leading recycling drives to preventing lead
poisoning.
The challenge to shoulder responsibility and seize
opportunity extends to each of us in business, communities, and
homes. In our own lives, in our own ways, each of us has something
to offer to the work of cleaning up America's environment. And each
of us surely has something very personal to gain.
On a colder day in the middle of winter, just three
months ago, a poet asked us to celebrate, not only the marvelous
diversity of our people, but the miraculous bounty of our land.
"Here on the pulse of this new day," Maya Angelou challenged us to
look at, "the rock, the river, the tree, your country." Now, it is a
season of new hope and new beginnings. And as we look anew at our
neighbors, our children and our own communities, as well as the world
around us, we must seize the possibilities inherent in this
exhilarating moment; to face our challenges, to exercise our
responsibilities, and to rejoice in them.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 20, 1993
REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY
AT NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICES CEREMONY
The South Lawn
2:35 P.M. EDT
MRS. CLINTON: Thank you very much. (Applause.) I want
to thank Eli Segal for all of the work that he is doing in leading
the charge to translate into reality the belief that national service
is something that young people and not-so-young people -- all of us
-- want to be a part of. And I want to thank all of you who have
gathered here at the White House for this celebration.
Now, this is how campaign promises -- (laughter) -- sort
of take on a new life. (Laughter.) A year ago, I have to confess, I
never had any doubt that my husband would be President because I
believed it was the right thing and I thought that the country was
ready for the kind of change that he was advocating. So when, in a
moment of careless aside -- (laughter) -- I told Vanessa, this is
such a great program and we believe in it so much; why don't we do it
in the Rose Garden next year -- (laughter and applause) -- I assumed
that she was busy, she had a lot on her mind. (Laughter.) It didn't
rank way up there with recruiting more people to be part of public
allies. And I, frankly, didn't remember it either. (Laughter.)
So when our collective memory kicked in and we all
remembered that I had invited all of you to come, I was very excited.
But then, as often happens with campaign promises, you get to the
small print. The small print is that I think specifically, Vanessa,
I said, next year we'll do this in the Rose Garden. But then there
were too many of you to fit in the Rose Garden, and so we fulfilled
the campaign promise, but not exactly. So you're here at the White
House and we're delighted you're here. And we're excited by what
your being here represents.
We've already heard three of the most eloquent
testimonies to service that anyone could hear when we heard from Carl
and Sarah and Maria, because each in his and her ways talked about
how service is not a one-way street. Service is not doing something
for somebody else and that's the end. Service is being committed and
being part of the community in which you live. And it means then
that you get as well as you give.
There's a young man named Matthew whose life has been
changed because of Carl, just as Matthew has changed Carl's life.
(Applause.) There are 20 children in a classroom whom I wish you had
brought with you whose lives are being changed on a daily basis
because someone named Sarah decided that teaching and using her
education to help other people was something that would not only be
good for her to do, but something she would be educated because she
had done.
And then there are a lot of people like Maria who now
feel part of our country because they have voted and because they
have convinced other people to vote and because they now see that
they have a stake in helping to change what goes on around them.
(Applause.)
When I talk about service, I often quote my friend,
Marian Edelman, with that wonderful line from her in which she said
that service is the rent we pay for living. And service is a very
MORE
- 2 -
fundamental way we connect with one another while we live. It is the
way that we find meaning in our lives, both individually and
collectively, because we see what we are capable of and we watch it
being reflected in the faces of others.
We see it in the houses we build. We see it in the
neighborhoods we help reclaim. We see it in the lives we touch. And
then we come home and look in the mirror and know that we've been
reclaimed, we've been touched, we've been served. And that is why
this whole concept of national service that my husband believes in so
passionately is at the root of what he sees as the need to rebuild
and reclaim America.
And it is founded on very simple core values. And I'd
like to talk about those core values, because community, opportunity,
responsibility and education are really at the core. And the more we
can expand the idea that we are interconnected and interdependent,
that we need one another in order to be fully whoever we were
intended by God to be, the more we understand the role that service
has to play in an individual's life, in a community's life, in a
nation's life.
So arrayed behind me are young people who are being
honored for what they have done and what they represent. But also
arrayed behind me are lives that have been changed because of
service.
I am very hopeful that the decade of the '80s in which
individuality and selfishness and greed were viewed as virtues is
over. (Applause.) And I am particularly hopeful that the promise of
the '90s will be fulfilled. Now, will it be easy? of course, it
won't. As Eli said, I've been doing service in some way or another
for many, many years. And has it always been a success? No, it
hasn't. Have I always felt that maybe I helped to change something?
Not always. But on balance in my life it has enriched my life and it
has given me an opportunity to give back what I've been blessed with.
But it is not going to be easy on a national level to
translate those very personal values into widely spread concepts and
programs that will take root and grow, no matter who is President, no
matter what Vanessa does next year, no matter who is the esteemed
Senator from Pennsylvania or Illinois. Translating that kind of
value into action and then making sure that action lives beyond the
actors is what is behind our commitment to national service.
(Applause.) Because we believe the American social contract, the
American Dream, America itself, as we love it and understand it and
believe in it, is at stake.
As we move forward from this day and this occasion,
where we take a few minutes out to not only say thank you, but to
celebrate the accomplishments of these young people, let's use the
energy and the feeling that is gathered here to fuel us for the
struggles that lie ahead, which are not really over a program called
national service, but over the future of a country -- over what kind
of people we are and will be, what kind of opportunities our children
will have, what responsibilities all of us will feel for one another.
Service goes far beyond what we can even put into
words. But those of us who have done it and believe in it know that
it is part of what makes life meaningful and makes it possible for us
to look each other in the eye, as Carl has done in his own face, and
say I can be somebody, I can do something, I can make a contribution.
And that's about the best definition of an American I've ever heard.
(Applause.)
Thank you all very much. (Applause.)
END
2:45 P.M. EDT
THE WASHINGTON POST
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1993
Clinton. Youths Have Plenty Riding on 'Summer of Opportunity'
By Mary Jordan
even to wait for the expected congressional
urban programs, said if the summer jobs
school budgets could rise and fall on their
ica, which places top college graduates in
Washington Post Staff Writer
approval, are racing to hire supervisors and
turn out, as they have in the past, to be
test run this summer.
less-desirable inner-city schools. The of-
teachers, structure meaningful jobs, and
"make-work," they will have no long-term
"For lack of a better term, they want to
President Clinton plans to spend well
fices of Teach for America, like those of
rent everything from office space to com-
effect.
throw some spaghetti against the wall and
over $2 billion on youths this summer, more
hundreds of other nonprofit groups nation-
puters.
In addition, he warned that the govern-
see what sticks," said Fred O'Regan, senior
than Idaho and the Dakotas and several oth-
But even those relieved that children and
policy analyst for the Aspen Institute, a non-
wide, have been ablaze late into the night as
ment could have trouble reaching those it is
er states spent on all programs last year, in
poverty have returned as a top White
the most concentrated social emort of its
trying to serve. "There is a treme. lous
profit organization involved in social policy.
they try to meet deadlines for sending sum-
House priority wonder if this social effort-
amount of skepticism among the VE. poor
As he throws out new programs and mon-
mer proposa's , Washington.
kind since the 1960s.
which Clinton IS expected to outline in more
because of what went on under Bush and
ey, Clinton is not aiming low. "It's nothing
The various Washington offices admin-
"The Summer of Opportunity," as Clinton
detail as he releases his 1994 budget to-
less than the American way to change
istering the programs have different pro-
is calling the summer of '93, includes reac-
day-is too much, too fast.
Reagan," he said.
Still others worry that the Summer of '93
America," he said about youth service.
cedures for awarding the summer funds.
tivating a Lyndon B. Johnson-era VISTA
"We certainly have not seen this empha-
sis on inner cities in a long, long time. I'm
package is going to hit poor neighborhoods
With all this new money suddenly up for
But the scene last week at the National
program, teaching 850,000 poor children in
grabs, nonprofit agencies and schools are
and Community Service Commission on
summer school, creating 700,000 new sum-
delighted in that respect," said Robert Eng-
like a sudden monsoon in a desert.
competing for a share of the action. Many of
14th Street NW was typical. Truckloads of
mer jobs, rounding up 2-year-olds for trips
strom, a member of the inner-city task
But Clinton has a huge stake in making
the summer programs will be administered
overnight packages arrived, hand deliveries
to the doctor, and allowing Ivy League stu-
force for the Urban Land Institute. "But I
sure this investment does not wash away: It
by nonprofit organizations under contracts
streamed in all day long.
dents to counsel gang members in exchange
hope we don't end up with a lot of funds
is the first critical test of his social agenda,
with various federal agencies, including the
"It's wild," said Melinda Hudson, commis-
for money for college.
flowing through a bureaucracy that is not
the programs he said he wants to be the
departments of Education and Health and
sion spokeswoman. "Some people flew in;
With only two months to go before the
capable of administering it."
legacy of his presidency. The future of his
Human Services.
others drove all day to get here."
June kickoff, job corps, nonprofit commu-
Elijah Anderson, a University of Pennsyl-
grander plans for universal immunizations,
"It's total chaos and pandemonium," said
In all, more than 450 proposals, repre-
nity groups and public schools, with no time
vania professor and expert on poverty and
burgeoning urban job corps and bigger
Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for Amer-
See SUMMER, A11, Col. 3
1/2
THE WASHINGTON Po:
THURSDAY, APRIL 8,
SUMMER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Youth Initiative Producing Excitement, Anxiety
Among Clinton's summer pro-
adults and 350,000 preschoolers.
SUMMER, From A10
new social programs, "but with more mod-
In 1965, 1 was assigned to the first full-
grams, to be carried out largely be-
The beginning of the $300 million
est expectations."
year program of VISTA, often described as
tween mid-June and mid-August, are:
effort to identify children who need po-
senting tens of thousands of placements for
Weir said Clinton is savvy to start off tar-
the domestic Peace Corps. He was placed in
A summer jobs program for disad-
lio, diphtheria and other vaccinations,
youths, made the deadline.
geting youth and including children of the
New York City, a youth fixing up housing
vantaged youths costing $1 billion in
and immunizing them.
In two weeks, the winning community
middle and upper classes.
projects, and stayed on with the program
new money, adding 700,000 extra
service groups will be announced and they
"Focusing on youth is always the politi-
A $10 million kickoff of National Ser-
during its lean years.
jobs, and for the first time including
will begin choosing the first National Ser-
cally easier thing to do," she said. "It's easi-
vice, the plan that allows 1,000 to 1,500
Now, as director of a VISTA literacy pro-
drills in math, reading and writing.
vice class.
er to get by the deservedness question."
students to tutor and counsel youths and
These students, age 17 to 25, will con-
Some earlier government job programs,
ject in Connecticut, Cherry is waiting to
A so-called Chapter One summmer
clean up neighborhoods in exchange for
like the 1970s Comprehensive Employment
hear if his program will get funded for the
school plan, costing $500 million. It will
money for college or job training.
vene in a splashy youth summit on the West
keep 500,000 youths, many living in
Coast June 21. Afterward, the students—
Training Act (CETA), are synonymous with
summer.
A $1.2 million reactivation of the
some poor, others middle-class or rich-
waste, with long-remembered stories of
"It is kind of rough in this world to get
areas of concentrated poverty, in school
1960s VISTA Summer Associates pro-
youths pulling a paycheck for nothing more
along if you can't read," said Cherry. "In
for remedial studies and will add more
will begin work counseling, tutoring and
grams, which will add 600 youths to the
than shooting a basketball.
places like nursing homes where aides are
than 80,000 jobs for teachers and staff.
ranks of the volunteer force that works
fixing.
The administration is expected to put
being asked to take written examinations, it
in programs in needy neighborhoods.
Paid $4.25 an hour, the youths also will
A $500 million summer extension of
muscle into the selling of these new sum-
is now coming to light that these people
receive $1,000 toward their education or
Head Start, the preschool program for
A $1 million expansion of existing ur-
mer programs, outfitting youths in identi-
can't read. If you can't read, it affects a lot.
training at the end of eight weeks.
children whose family income is below
ban job corps, meant to attract more lo-
fiable T-shirts and making sure many are
It affects jobs.
"This is akin to the early days of the War
the poverty line. It will employ 50,000
cal money and quickly expand the ranks.
engaged in visible projects.
"There is a high-pitched excitement
on Poverty," Margaret Weir, senior fellow
Romero Cherry, for one, is looking for-
about what is going to take place this sum-
at the Brookings Institution, said about the
ward to it.
mer. People want this."
212
LOS ANGELES TIMES WASHINGTON EDITION
THURSDAY. APRIL 8, 1993
A7
Nationa Perspect've
EMPLOYMENT
Summer Jobs Program Holds Promise, Peril for Teen-Agers
Critics of plan for low-income
lead a productive life is like condemning
the school lunch program because it
youths say it's make-work. The
doesn't end malnutrition. An effort like
White House says it works.
this must be judged by its modest
goal-in this case, to help poor kids retain
over the summer what they learned
By ELIZABETH SHOGREN
before, and to give them a modicum of
TIMES STAFF WRITER
structure. discipline and work
W
ASHINGTON- Bill Clinton
experience."
needs an ally in his effort to expand
Good summer programs can do even
the government's summer jobs program
more than that. said Laurie Levin, who
for disadvantaged youths. Barraka Baber
designed an innovative summer program
is ready to step forward. A 12th-grader in
combining half-time work with half-time
Saginaw, Mich., he has spent the last
instruction in reading, math and
three summers in federally funded jobs.
responsible sexual behavior. Her
working as a student aide and a park
government-financed Summer Training
helper. and the experience has made a
and Education Program is now used in
real difference in his life.
100 localities for 8,000 young people. and
"The summer jobs helped me stay out
the Labor Department has asked Levin
of trouble. kept me on a str ght line and
to expand to 75 more areas this sum er.
helped me with my financial problems.
"We need to invest and help kids
too." Baber said. "Somet. es sit back
do better because ultimately it's ter
and wonder where I would be without it.
for society, Levin said.
Would I be in jail? Would 1 have a child?
Typically, disadvantaged young people
Or would I be on my way to college like I
Summer Training and Education Program
lose ground academically during summer
am now?"
Participants in Saginaw's Summer Training and Education Program help restore a 100-year-old cabin in St. Charles, Mich.
break, but experimental jobs programs
But Marvin Turner. a job training
that devote time to academics have
advocate who has run Saginaw's summer
communities because poor teen-agers
the mark. And the dramatic expansion
Workman, programs manager at the
produced measurable improvements in
jobs program for the last 25 years. is not
generally spend most of what they earn.
envisioned by Clinton could easily
governor's job training office in Denver.
reading and math scores. Studies by
so sure that all of the money Clinton is
Mindful that many Americans view
swamp even the best programs with
Opponents of the Clinton proposal
Levin's group, Public/Private Ventures,
seeking will produce similar results. Kids
such programs as little more than
thousands of new participants.
recall the Comprehensive Employment
has found that on average, STEP
like Baber. he said. tend to represent the
taxpayer-financed make-work. the
Across the country, summer job
and Training Act, a federal jobs program
participants improve their performance
exception rather than the rule. For some,
Administration has specified that each
administrators say they fear that the
that was expanded significantly during
by half a grade level during the summer.
Turner said, the programs undermine
participant must receive about 90 hours
short lead time will make it impossible to
the Jimmy Carter Administration. The
rather than reinforce good work habits.
of academic enrichment over the summer
CETA program was widely criticized for
T
urner. who is administering a STEP
program in Saginaw. said the results
"There's going to be a lot of money
in the classroom or on the job.
tolerating waste, fraud and nepotism.
are even more encouraging than such
wasted this summer. Turner predicted.
"We have designed this new program
'An effort like this must be
Demetra Nightingale of the Urban
studies can show. He said he has seen a
"God help the folks administering
to learn from the mistakes of the past.
programs in large cities. I have a hard
judged by its modest
Institute said that CETA was cleaned up
number of at-risk students start down
and to build on its successes," said Labor
by the late 1970s. and that most of the
paths toward college and careers as a
enough time in Saginaw."
Secretary Robert B. Reich. "For the first
goal-to help poor kids retain
criticism did not involve summer jobs for
result of their participation.
T
he observations of Baber and Turner
time, the Department of Labor will work
over the summer what they
youths. Nightingale noted that political
James Donald, 18, whose father works
reflect the promise and the peril
closely with the Department of
opposition to government jobs programs
learned before, and to give
part time as a custodian. is one of those
facing the Administration as it attempts
Education on this project and invest
is a hardy perennial. Newspaper articles
kids. Donald, who is planning to go to a
to significantly expand the summer jobs
substantial resources to provide
them a modicum of structure,
in the 1930s described New Deal workers
local college next year and study to be a
program. Clinton has asked Congress to
educational enrichment. We plan on
leaning on their rakes instead of working.
targeting nearly one-third of the
discipline and work
physical therapist, said the summer
spend $1 billion to put an additional
and misusing government money.
work-study program has given him the
700,000 young Americans to work in
additionally requested funding for this
experience.'
Reich contends that in recent years. as
courage to avoid winding up like his
cities across the country, increasing total
purpose."
a result of new legislation and stiffer
cousin, who has been in and out of
participation to 1.3 million.
Critics of the Administration proposal
LABOR SECRETARY ROBERT B. REICH
regulation by the Labor Department. the
juvenile detention over the last few years
The funding is part of a $16.3-billion
remain unconvinced. Even Saginaw's
number of make-work jobs funded by the
because of drug dealing.
economic stimulus and job creation bill
Turner acknowledges that for many
federal government has been reduced to
"I've learned how to make my own
that has provoked a Republican filibuster
participants, a federally funded summer
find enough good placement
about "probably better than the
money and my own decisions. he said.
in the Senate. Most of the GOP criticism
job is not a positive experience: Some are
opportunities and to plan the quality
rest of the economy.'
Some young people say that more
is aimed at other provisions in the bill,
just in It for the money and refuse to
educational components mandated by the
And if government-financed summer
traditional summer jobs can also have a
and it appears likely Clinton will receive
work. Some are assigned to projects
Administration.
jobs fail to transform the lives of every
big impact on their lives.
the summer job funds he is seeking.
where they are not needed or given jobs
Colorado officials. for instance, expect
participant, maybe expectations are a
Vanessa Cisneros. a Denver
The Administration cites two main
that are not justified. Some experience
their allocation to balloon from $7.4
little too high, Reich said.
ninth-grader who has worked for three
benefits of the expansion: It will provide
such lax supervision that they spend
million to $22.6 million if the stimulus
"Giving a poor kid a job and some
summers as a clerk in the county
meaningful work and increase the odds of
more time on break than on the job.
package is passed in its current form.
tutoring over the summer doesn't work
courthouse, said the experience has made
future success for the youths who
While a number of cities operate
"It remains to be seen if we can get as
miracles," Reich said. "Calling the eight
her believe she can fulfill her dream of
participate. It also will provide a
innovative programs like the one Baber
many job sites or as many kids as we
to 10 weeks a failure because it fails to
becoming a lawyer. "It has let me see
temporary economic boost to the affected
has attended, others clearly fall short of
need" to use the extra money, said Kathy
alone improve a young person's chance to
things I never knew I had in me."
The largest savings, $5.8 billion, would come out of
procurement accounts, achieved mostly by scaling back
weapons purchases or slipping production schedules. In
Parks, Wildlife Service
ERIOR
the short term. the military will continue producing Cold
War-era weapons systems like submarine-launched Tri-
Get Big Increases
Becau
March
149
dent IL ballistic missiles and F-22 fighters.
T
he Interior Department gets not only an 8 percent
Defense Secretary Les Aspin has acknowledged that
increase in funding under the new budget, from $9
the changes in the 1994 budget amount to little more
billion to $9.5 billion, but a significant shift in emphasis
than "treading water." But he promises a more aggres-
sive approach during the next budget cycle.
to parks, conservation and wildlife. The National Park
- John Lancaster
Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service budgets
buid go up by 19 percent and 18 percent, respective-
The Interior budget also assumes increases in the
fees ranchers pay to graze their stock on federal lands,
Feelin
OF
EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT
EDUCATION
and a first-ever royalty on gold and other minerals ta-
or irr
ken from federal property. The White House was crit-
Service Program,
icized for agreeing not to push for those fees in budget
Loss
reconciliation legislation, but Interior Secretary Bruce
Direct Lending Proposed
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Babbitt said he will do that administratively.
pleas
- Tom Kenworthy
once
T
hose looking for a big federal investment in educa-
tion will be disappointed. Clinton's new budget
Cha
doesn't even seek the same level of increase in educa-
JUSTICE
tion as Bush did in his last year.
OF
or
However, there are major changes in what this admin-
istration wants to do with its $30 billion-about the same
Budget Stays Flat;
JUSTICE
Ch
as was appropriated for this fiscal ye The department
Policing Funds Sought
SECT
JUSTITIA
sl
wants to phase in a new direct lending program, one that
aims to lower students' interest rates; launch a national
service program, SO students can work off college bills
through community service; and spend millions for capital
T
he Justice Department's budget would remain flat at
F
$11.2 billion. Clinton proposes spending $50 million
improvements to historically black colleges and minority
on "community policing" programs that strive to get of-
h
teacher fellowships. Secretary Richard W. Riley said
ficers out of patrol cars and more in touch with neighbor-
1994 is a year for structural change and "the proper thing
hoods. About $25 million would go for a "Police Corps" to
I
to do" now isn't "to pour money into old programs."
provide scholarships to college students who pursue law
- Mary Jordan
enforcement careers. The department estimates it can
save about $116 million in administrative and personnel
posts, including travel for conferences and training.
DEPARTMENT
OF
There are no new funds for prison construction after fis-
ENERGY
ENERGY
cal 1994-a big change from Bush's plans.
-Sharon LaFraniere
For First Time, Cleanup
Gets as Much as A-Arms
AVERICA
LABOR
OF
STATES
OF
LABOR
OS
E
nergy's budget is a post-World War II landmark:
The amount for environmental restoration and
Employment, Training
de
waste management at the department's nuclear weapons
UNITED
plants almost equals the amount for weapons production
Set for Added Funds
STATES
OF
-pi
to
and handling. The department plans to spend $6.65 billion
ee
for weapons development and testing, stockpile manage-
L
abor gets a major increase for employment and
ment, naval reactors and other defense-related activities.
training programs, keeping with Clinton's call for
e
The environmental cleanup allocation is $6.55 billion, in-
more spending-or "investment"-to help those who
su
Inj
cluding $721 million for former weapons plants now sit-
lose their jobs due to corporate downsizing, defense
ting idle while cleanup programs are developed.
cuts and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Secretary Hazel R. O'Leary put the weapons spending
Funds for employment and training would rise from
figure at $5.9 billion, down 19 percent from fiscal 1993,
$5.8 billion to $7.5 billion, but actual spending would be
but the actual amount is $6.65 billion, including money
slightly less than this year because much of the mon-
left over from earlier years. The total budget request is
ey-spent on a program year, not a fiscal-year basis-
$19.6 billion, up from $19 billion this year. Beyond the
won't be paid out until summer. To pay for these pro-
weapons programs, the biggest changes are increases for
grams, $5 billion will be cut elsewhere. Overall. labor's
solar and renewable energy research-up from $251 mil-
budget goes down from $47.9 billion in 1993 to $40.4
lion: to $327 million-and for "fundamental science re-
billion next year. Most of the cut reflects the expiration
search." up from $2.7 billion to $2.9 billion, including
of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act,
$628 million for the Superconducting Super Collider.
an unemployment trust fund.
- Thomas W. Lippman
- Frank Swoboda
Nash. Post 4/9
NEWS YOU CAN USE
National
service-now
Community-based programs can bankroll the
education of many a young idealist
F
or the legions of young people re-
earmarked for disadvantaged youth.
signed to another summer job be-
But the fledgling Clinton program
hind a tast-food counter. Bill Clin-
isn't the only one of its kind. In the past
ton's speech last month was mouth-
several years. dozens of federal. state,
watering fare. Drop me a card at the
local and university programs shaped
White House and just mark it National
much like the president's proposal have
Service. the president invited. unveil-
sprung up. A blend of the idealistic and
ing a summer pilot program designed as
the pragmatic. they are the product of
a precursor to a national plan that
rising student debt. fewer higher-paying
would repay community service with
career opportunities-an growing in-
college-aid funds. For each of two years
terest in public service.
of service. college graduates who teach
Reaching out. Many high schools, for
in inner-city schools. build housing for
example, are now building a certain
the homeless and perform other com-
number of hours of volunteer work into
munity services would have up to
the graduation requirement. College
$10.000 a year in education loans forgiv-
job-placement offices report a surge of
en: high-school graduates would receive
interest in such programs as VISTA, the
$5.000 toward higher education or em-
Peace Corps and Teach for America.
ployment training. The program would
And even before Clinton was elected.
have 100.000 participants by 1997.
the Commission on National and Com-
The 10-person White House Office of
munity Service. an independent biparti-
AIDS educators. Crystal Hicks (left) and
National Service was quickly over-
san agency set up by Congress in 1990 to
whelmed by thousands of cards and let-
study and support public service. had be-
generous with educational-debt relief as
ters. Most of the writers will be disap-
gun to pump grant money into new or
the Clinton plan is slated to be. But
pointed: the pilot "summer of service"
expanding community-service projects.
they are up and running, while the Na-
will have only 1.000 openings, many
Few of the existing programs are as
tional Service Plan hasn't even faced a
SCOTT
round of hearings on Capitol Hill. And
collectively, they make up an ambitious
CORNELL TRADITION
national service plan of their own. The
ithaca, N.Y.
scope ranges from private or govern-
The participants
ment-funded youth service corps that
600 Cornell students a year
send teams of young people to help out
in nursing homes and refurbish dilapi-
The mission
dated elementary schools to college stu-
Students must perform at
least 75 hours of unpaid
dents who work with single mothers to
community service, from
doctors who minister to indigents. The
volunteering in a homeless
pay in the programs often approaches
shelter to organizing stu-
minimum wage, but taking part can be
dents to mentor low-income
an excellent way to put idealistic career
youth, plus 250 hours of
paid work of any kind dur-
goals to a real-world test. And a year
ing the academic year.
working with the elderly at a nursing
home or teaching in an inner-city Head
The payback
Start program makes a far better re-
A fellowship of $2,500 a
year against student loans
Big sister. Cornell senior Laura Lopes
watches over a spin-happy toddler.
64
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. APRIL 12 1993
65
being recognized. and that means more
opportunities for college students and
recent graduates. The City Volunteer
Corps in New York. which is similar to
the D.C. Service Corps but offers a
$5.000 post-service scholarship. is about
to launch a subway advertising campaign
to recruit college students or college-
bound youth to the yearlong. city-fund-
ed program. The City Year program in
Boston. cited by Clinton as a model for
the administration's plan. also is trying
to attract more college graduates. And a
handful of recent start-ups focus on
training college students and postgradu-
ates to become community-service lead-
ers. For example, the Pennsylvania Ser-
vice Corps and Volunteer Marvland!.
which both receive funding from the
Commission on National
and Community Service.
D.C. SERVICE CORPS
offer extensive education
Washington, D.C.
in service management as
The participants
well as assign participants
About 100 young people,
to projects ranging from
ages 17 to 23
AIDS prevention to wild-
life conservation for an
The mission
Each participant is assigned
entire year. Corps mem-
to a nine-month-long senes
bers help recruit volun-
of community-service jobs in
teers and coordinate
Washington, D.C., ranging
community services for
from tutoring of low-income
the organizations to
children to cleanup projects.
which they are assigned.
The payback
They are paid a small sti-
A $100 weekly stipend, plus
pend. plus a $5.000 schol-
$2,000 after completion of
arship upon completion
service to be applied to any
education-related expense.
of the program.
Idealism notwithstand-
ing, college students or
graduates need to be
sure that programs designed with high-
Andrea Walders pass out AIDS brochures in Washington, D.C.
school dropouts in mind can also meet
their needs. One indicator of a pro-
sumé entry than flipping hamburgers.
and cared for disabled children as mem-
gram's commitment to hands-on com-
The following is a sampling of the kinds
bers of the D.C. Service Corps. The
munity-service training is the time de-
of programs that are available. Most are
two-year-old program. funded with pri-
voted to actually working with people.
open to applicants from anywhere in
vate and federal money, rotates teams
such as tutoring children or assisting
the country.
of 17-to-23-vear-olds through a variety
the elderly. as opposed to unskilled
of community-service jobs. Hicks and
physical labor like painting or planting.
YOUTH SERVICE CORPS
Walders each get a $100 weekly living
Generally, no more than one third of
Crvstal Hicks and Andrea Walders are
stipend, a $2.000 scholarship when they
the work should consist of such hands-
unlikely friends. Hicks. 22. is a strong-
complete the nine-month program and,
on labor, though a concentrated dose
willed single mother from the mean
of course. an opportunity to learn from
from time to time is fine, says Michael
streets of Washington, D.C., and New
one another. Walders. who plans to ap-
Camunez, program officer for the Com-
York City. She dropped out of college
ply the scholarship money to graduate-
mission on National and Community
after one year because of money prob-
school expenses. savs of her growing
Service. Walders. for example. spent six
lems. Andrea Walders. 23. grew up in a
friendship with Hicks: "I'm amazed that
weeks painting a community center -
tony Maryland suburb and graduated
I could have so much in common with a
but she has devoted much more time to
from Hobart and William Smith Col-
woman whose experiences have been so
leading class discussions at a Head Start
leges in Geneva. N.Y., with a double
different. A program like this really
program and helping a child psycholo-
degree in English and Third World
brings people together.
gist test severely disabled patients at a
studies last spring. Her parents paid for
The original goal of many youth ser-
hospital for sick children.
her college education.
vice corps was to get high-school drop-
By contrast. the approximately 65
But the two women have spent the
outs off the streets. But the value of
state and local conservation corps na-
past six months as a team. They have
bringing together educationally. eco-
tionwide still aim primarily at training
tutored inner-city elementarv-school
nomically and culturally diverse vouth
disadvantaged youth in manual job skills.
students. rehabbed a community center
like Hicks and Walders is increasingly
though a few now offer scholarships to
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. APRIL 12 1993
65
66
NEWS YOU CAN USE
attract collegebound high-school stu-
dents. Among the projects performed
this winter by the state-funded Califor-
nia Conservation Corps. which pays
minimum wage and an $800 scholarship.
was cleaning mud from
an elementary school
flooded by heavy rains.
NATIONAL HEALTH
Virtually all of the
SERVICE CORPS
youth-corps programs
Rockville, Md.
supplement the work as-
The participants
signments with educa-
1,200 doctors, nurses
tional training. Depend-
and dentists
ing on the orientation of
The mission
the program. this varies
They work in areas that are
from literacv classes to
currently underserved.
resume writing to aca-
The payback
demic courses on the
Repayment plan: up to
role of community ser-
$120.000 in loan awards
vice in a democratic soci-
for four years of service.
ety. Sometimes the
Scholarship plan: one year
courses ignore the yawn-
of tuition paid for each
ing differences in the
year of service, with min-
imum two-year obligation.
backgrounds of the par-
ticipants. Walders. for
example. couldn't fathom
why. after four years of college. she had
to sit through a D.C. Service Corps
class on how to take notes. But some
New School. courtesy of the CVC. "I'm
Careful cutter. James Franzbrooke
programs that offer remedial education
getting all this practical experience
performs a vasectomy at a health clinic.
to participants have alternatives for col-
working in the community and still
lege-educated students. The City Vol-
boosting my college credits," says
members offered some form of finan-
unteer Corps. for instance. requires
Young. "That appealed to me a lot."
cial assistance to students or graduates
high-school equivalency classes for
who performed community service. The
many members. but Chantel Young. 19.
ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMS
aid ranged from fellowships at Stanford
who plans to return to Syracuse Univer-
In a 1992 survey by Campus Compact. a
and Cornell to work-study programs at
sity in the fall thanks to the $5,000
Providence. R.I.-based consortium of
Michigan State and Ohio Wesleyan uni-
scholarship from the corps. IS instead
360 colleges and universities committed
versities that pay students who work a
taking a writing class for credit at the
to public service, 30 percent of the
set number of hours per week in com-
munity-service programs. A few
schools. such as Union College in Sche-
Tracking down the programs
nectady, N.Y., help pay off student
loans for those who take public-service
Several national organizations can provide information about programs that defray the
jobs after they graduate.
expense of student loans through community service:
The time commitment can take a toll
Youth Service America. A nonprofit in-
Campus Compact. A coalition of col-
on grades. Laura Lopes. 22. chose Cor-
formation network that can assist people
leges and universities with campus-based
nell over Harvard because of Cornell's
looking for youth-corps programs in their
public-service programs. For a guide to
program that pays off $2.500 of her stu-
state or town. Call (800) 394-4972.
schools with such programs, send an $18
dent loans annually if she does at least
The National Association of Service and
check to Campus Compact, Brown Uni-
75 hours of unpaid community service
Conservation Corps. A membership orga-
versity, Box 1975, Providence, RI 02912.
and 250 hours of paid work during the
nization with free state-by-state directory
National Health Service Corps. Offers
academic year. Largely because of the
of some 80 youth service and conservation
scholarship money and loan repayment to
program. which covers 600 Cornell stu-
corps. Write 666 11th Street, N.W., Suite
health care workers interested in practicing
dents each year. she will graduate this
500. Washington, DC 20001.
in underserved areas. Call (800) 221-9393,
spring with a total of only $1.200 in stu-
The Commission on National and Com-
or (703) 734-6855 in Virginia.
dent loans outstanding. But Lopes
munity Service. A bipartisan commission
The National Association for Public
hopes to go to medical school and wor-
with information on 153 federally funded
Interest Law. Clearinghouse for programs
ries about her 3.0 grade point average.
community-service projects around the
that forgive or repay law-school and state
The long hours involved in organizing
country, including the coming summer's
loans. For a copy of "Choosing Wisely,"
such projects as a big brothers-big sis-
pilot version of President Clinton's nation-
a guide to programs around the country,
ters-type program for the children of
al service program. For a free brochure
send a $25 check to 1118 22nd Street,
and list of state contacts, write: 529 14th
N.W., Washington, DC 20037, or call
single mothers on campus have made it
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20045.
(202) 466-3686.
difficult for Lopes to do her best aca-
demically. "I just don't have the time to
work harder. she says-quickly adding.
66
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. APRIL 12 1993
however: "I wouldn't change anything.
ted to public-service work after graduat-
NHSC currently pays 39 percent of the
What I've accomplished is more impor-
ing from Tulane University Law School
tax bite for health care workers.)
tant than grades.'
in 1989. He accepted a job with Legal
Last month Smith received more bad
The trade-off. in fact. could turn into a
Services of Greater Miami as a $24,000-
news. He was informed that a recent
benefit at job-hunting time. Shad Bosh. a
a-year attorney. trusting that a loan-re-
$2.000 raise that brought his income to
22-vear-old senior at Ohio Wesleyan in
payment program offered by the univer-
$29.295 had put him over the university's
Delaware. Ohio. spends one afternoon
sity would take the edge off his $40.000
limit to get loan-repayment funds. "It
or morning a week as a tutor and mentor
law-school debts. But to his surprise. he
stinks." says Smith. Still. he credits the
for a sixth-grade boy through a program
was told a few months into his job that
Tulane program with helping him get by
that pays $6 an hour to college students
the annual loan repayments would be
for three years. "I'll survive. he says. I
who help low-income children at nearby
taxable. considerably diminishing their
guess I'll just have to put off buying a car
elementary and middle schools. Al-
value. Legislation expected to be rein-
again." Besides. as Smith regularly re-
though Bosh previously made more
troduced in Congress this month would
minds himself. he does have one luxurv
money bagging groceries. he believes the
exempt graduates like Smith from hav-
that makes up for all the sacrifices: He is
experience working with needy youth
ing to declare loan-repayment money as
doing work he believes in.
helped land him a job last summer devel-
taxable income. For now. however,
oping a recreation program for a county
Smith and others have to pay up. (The
BY AMY SALTZMAN
children's home. It has also put his career
plans in focus: He hopes to be a family
counselor someday.
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But even high-paying programs re-
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U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. APRIL 12 1993
A. Armstrong
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FAX
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HAN 1993
Dept 1050
68
The New Republic 4/19
course. been released. and the money
announce "within the next ten davs"-
for welfare reform hey, wait a minute.
still hasn't been named. But its key
TRB
It's not there. You can read through all 145
members are likely to be three HHS sub-
pages of "A Vision of Change." even the
Cabinet officials: David Ellwood. Marv Jo
parts on "Rewarding Work." and you
Bane and Wendell Primus. All are gen-
won't find a pennv earmarked for "end-
ume reformers. and Clinton properly
ing welfare as we know
credits Ellwood's book. Poor Support. with
What gives? Alice Rivlin. deputy direc-
the idea of welfare time limits. But as
for of the Office of Management and
Fred Barnes reported a few weeks ago
Budget. savs the decision was to "treat
(see "Carvilled." TNR. March 1). not even
welfare reform the way we are treating
Ellwood is a reliable supporter of the Ell-
FROM WASHINGTON
health care reform." In both areas. she
wood plan. In a recent paper. he worried
notes. the administration's plans aren't
that "desperately needy people will be
vet "sufficiently defined" to enable pre-
cut off and hurt."
cise cost estimates. So both reforms were
The amount of extra spending cur-
The vanishing
taken out of the budget. Rivlin and other
rently being contemplated by the Clin-
White House aides insist that this doesn't
tonites-s3 billion to s4 billion-mav be
mean welfare reform won't happen.
small enough to sneak into the budget.
Remember when Bill Clinton was a failed
Clinton. they sav, remains committed.
but it is also almost certainly too small to
president? Those were the davs. There
just as he's committed to health care
finance anv sweeping "two-vears-and-
were about sixteen of them. bv my count.
reform.
take-a-job" reform. About 1.5 million
Clinton took the oath on Januarv 20.
This argument would be more con-
welfare recipients would be eligible for
Two weeks later, after the crisis over gavs
vincing if it weren't true that the welfare
"public service" jobs under such a two-
in the military. after Zue Baird and
money was in the budget until a few davs
year limit. If vou figure it costs $2,500 to
Kimba Wood. The New York Times Wash-
before Clinton presented it to Congress.
supervise each worker. and $1.500 for dav
ington bureau chief R.W. Apple Jr.
Apparently the analogy between welfare
care (both conservative estimates)
announced on the front page of his
reform and health care reform became
you've alreadv spent $6 billion, without
paper that Clinton's mistakes had been
more compelling when the OMB needed
paving for extra education and training,
"politically devastating." Democrats were
a few extra billion to meet its deficit tar-
extra "earned income tax credits."
"shell-shocked." The "new president now
gets. (Rivlin vigorously denies a rumor
humanitarian aid for people who are
desperately needs a victorv."
that she took the welfare monev out on
"cut off and hurt" or "transitional" child
How did Clinton try to turn things
her own. Clinton "absolutely" signed off
care for single mothers moving into the
around? The first thing he did was to
on it. she told me.) Clinton's welfare
private sector.
give a speech on welfare reform. Welfare
plans are no more vague than his
In fact. Ellwood has already indicated
mav not provide a verv good safetv net
national service plans, vet the budget
that his preference is not for nationwide
for America's poor. but it provides a
has $6 billion for national service. "The
reform. but for varied experiments in
sturdv net for Clinton. Every time he
president." Rivlin explains. "wanted
"up to a dozen states." That's not a crazv
seems on the verge of losing mainstream
[national service] to be on a faster
idea-the states that want to reform are
America (e.g., over the gay issue. or his
track."
the most likelv to make reforms work.
"diversity" obsession) he renews his
Whv is welfare reform on a slower
But it also postpones the "end of welfare
"commitment" to "end welfare as we
track? One reason. Clinton advisers sav, is
as we know it" until Clinton's second
know it." reminding voters why they
to avoid overloading the congressional
term. If there is one. A few state experi-
thought he was a "new" kind of Demo-
committees (Senate Finance, House
ments will hardlv fulfill the expectations
crat. During the campaign, Clinton's
Wavs & Means) that must also pass on
raised by Clinton's campaign. In 1992.
anti-welfare ads ("Those Who Are Able
Clinton's tax and health plans. In theorv.
after all. there was a candidate who ran
Must Go to Work") were among the first
these committees will first secure the
on a promise to let states conduct bold
to run in most states. and thev are widelv
nation's economic future. then spend a
welfare experiments. His name was Bush.
believed to have been his most effective
few months polishing off the health care
In truth. voters have a right to expect
spots.
problem and then. sometime toward the
that Clinton will do more than "end wel-
Actually. at the time of Clinton's early
end of this vear. eagerly set about resolv-
fare as we know it." That phrase is a bril-
February speech. his "commitment" to
ing the dilemmas of poverty and welfare.
liant Clintonism, implying both radical
welfare reform needed a bit of renewing.
After the revolution. all things are pos-
change and traditional values. suggesting
His health and human services secretary.
sible! But dropping welfare reform from
to conservatives that welfare will be
Donna Shalala. tended to ignore the sub-
the five-vear plan has created a large,
"ended" without committing Clinton to
ject when listing her priorities. Not to
practical obstacle. Under the "pay as you
anvthing in particular. At times, however.
worry, Clinton told the National Gover-
go" budget rules, anv extra money spent
Clinton has used more precise language.
nors' Association: "Within the next ten
reforming welfare will now have to be
In the weeks following the L.A. riots. he
davs I will announce a welfare reform
offset by additional tax increases or cuts
argued that welfare reform was one wav
group." Clinton explicitly restated his
in "entitlements." But after it has
to "break the culture of poverty," noting
call for a two-vear time limit on welfare.
approved all the taxes and entitlement
that in urban ghettos "most of the
after which recipients would have to
cuts in the Clinton economic plan and
income comes from government checks
"take a job"-a "public service" job if
all the taxes and cuts in the Clinton
and drug deals." In other words. he
necessary. Clinton aide Bruce Reed told
health plan. will Congress (and Clinton)
wanted to solve the problem of the
assembled reporters that "the budget
really be in the mood for a third round
welfare-dependent underclass. With his
which will be released in the next several
of pain to finance more spending on wel-
welfare reforms receding rapidly into the
weeks will begin to address how quickly
fare mothers? In an election vear? Even
future. it's hard to see how he is going to
we're going to spend" the money to
some Clinton advisers are skeptical.
do that.
implement the welfare changes.
Clinton's welfare "working group"-
Clinton's five-vear budget has now. of
the one he promised on February 2 to
MICKEY KAUS
6 THE NEW REPUBI APRIL 19. 1993
71
Work-for-Tuition Plan Not
Welcome in Some Professions
By ELIZABETH SHOGREN
Police groups have expressed wari-
TIMES STAFF WRITER
ness about the roles the national ser-
vice workers might play, and shared
WASHINGTON-Even before Pres-
the teachers' concern that inexperi-
ident Clinton's national service pro-
enced workers could do more harm
gram has been formally proposed to
than good. particularly in their poten-
Congress, public service professionals
tially dangerous profession.
are making it clear that young people
Asking students to patrol with police
eager to participate by working on
officers would put the students in very
public projects in exchange for school
dangerous situations, said Jerry Aren-
tuition aid are not welcome every-
berg, spokesman for the National Assn.
where.
of Chiefs of Police.
Police groups have told Washington
Although the AFL-CIO has stressed
officials that they do not want them
that it is not against national service in
walking their beats. Teachers are not
principle, "workers already on the job
eager to have them as classroom aides.
should not be displaced," said Candice
Unions caution that they must not take
Johnson, a spokeswoman for the
workers' jobs.
AFL-CIO. To be certain that does not
But Administration officials profess
occur, AFL-CIO officials hope that
to be undaunted by the resistance,
their representatives will get to help
arguing that opportunities for national
determine the needs of specific com-
service workers remain plentiful.
munities and the jobs that national
BACKGROUND: As the President de-
service participants should have.
scribes it, the program, still being
RESPONSES: Eli Segal. who is re-
designed, would offer high school or
sponsible for designing the national
college students-or both-a chance to
service program, said his office has
pay some college tuition costs or repay
taken pains to assure critics that the
student loans by being the foot soldiers
program will not lower professional
for Administration initiatives, such as
standards or take jobs from others.
child-immunization programs, educa-
"We see this as service and not jobs,"
tion and inner-city projects.
Segal said. "Once they understand this,
The idea, billed as a domestic Peace
they're comfortable."
Corps or civilian GI Bill. was a corner-
So. instead of taking jobs as full
stone of Clinton's campaign. Thousands
classroom teachers, the participants
of people have written to the White
are likely to be teachers' aides and
House asking to participate in pilot
instructors of after-school programs.
programs being designed for four to 10
Segal said police officials' worries
areas of the country this summer.
also are unwarranted because national
Many write that national service is
service participants are likely to be
their last hope for obtaining a college
education because their family incomes
involved in community policing and
are too high to qualify for other aid.
crime prevention, not patrolling.
While taking care not to alienate
CONCERNS: But the White House's
public service professionals, the na-
office of national service also has
tional service program is trying to
received letters from organizations
make sure that the jobs it offers will be
that fear that the plan would replace
challenging for participants, especially
present wage-earners or send unquali-
since many may be college graduates.
fied workers into their demanding
The Administration plans to propose
fields.
its national service plan to Congress in
Keith Geiger. president of the Na-
late April or early May. The post-ser- -
tional Education Assn., said that with-
vice benefit a participant can earn is
out proper training, even college grad-
likely to be between $5,000 and $10,000.
uates thoroughly familiar with a
Segal said that to ensure a quality
subject are not qualified to teach it. He
xperience for all participants. the
also said the profession is not interested
program will grow slowly, with about
in temporary teachers who are only in
100,000 to 150,000 participants by the
it to pay for their own educations.
end of the President's first term.
LAT 4/14
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Avoiding this trap requires a self-disci-
pline and toughness not yet evident in the
Better Workers
new administration. What Clinton needs
is the resolve to undertake a second round
of budget cutting, one aimed at the failed
experiments left behind by earlier reform-
ers. The budget is burdened by this
or Better Jobs?
expensive rubble, social programs that live
on despite their obvious failure. To
finance his own new ideas, Clinton must
clear
away
be of the past. The Labor
Department 15 a good place to start.
W
A
S
H
/
N
G
T
o
N
D
C
SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN JERSEY CITY, NEW
Jersey, a church-based grass-roots group,
he vision thing that George
the Interfaith Com-
I
munity Organization,
Bush so obviously lacked has
began to trace where all
the federal job-training
been amply delivered by Bill
money was going in
Hudson County. The
Clinton. His cornucopia of
group's members are
working class and poor,
new ideas includes a national-
black and Hispanic,
the very people such
service program for young
programs are meant to
serve. What ICO in-
people who need financial
vestigators found, says
organizer Joe Morris,
aid for college, reforms "that will end welfare as we know
was a "low-level kind of
patronage system," in
it" and an ambitious concept of a national apprentice-
which politically con-
nected employers and
ship system and "lifelong learning" for workers.
training schools were
tapping into federal
These and other proposals provide the grist for the
subsidies and cheap
labor.
important debate on shaping a more equitable future
On-the-job training
grants, ranging from
for all citizens. But they also define an
lions for remedial training and subsidized
$2000 to $4000 per
aching void I fear will haunt Clinton's
public-service jobs, yet Clinton's "Vision
trainee, were collected
presidency - the chasm between high-
of Change for America" is silent on how
upfront by employers,
minded ideas and the dismal here-and-now
much he intends to spend. The new job-
even if the trainee was
reality of the federal government. The
training programs at the Labor Depart-
fired the next day. One
government, as everyone knows, is broke,
ment will get real money, $250 million for
company, Walla Se-
and Clinton has committed himself to re-
one-stop career centers and $500 million
curity, collected the
pairing the deficits. That leaves very little
for apprenticeship training. But those
funds and sent trainees
money for new ventures. As a result, Clin-
amounts pale alongside the $6 billion that
earlier generation of liberal reformers: In
on to companies that gave them tempo-
ton's large ideas are shrinking dramatical-
Labor already spends on a patchwork of
the Sixties, grandiose expectations were
rary low-wage jobs. Talon Paint had two
ly as he tries to translate them into reality.
dubious - and in some instances, scan-
first excited, then disappointed.
trainees - one lasted a day, the other a few
National service, even if it works, is des-
dalous - training programs.
If the money is not there, even the best
months. Trapani's Pizza was paid $3000 to
tined to reach only a handful of college-
The budget squeeze isn't Clinton's
ideas are likely to fail. Conservative critics
teach an apprentice to make pizza.
bound students by 1997 - about 100,000,
fault, of course, but his zeal for launching
will proclaim the ideas half-baked to begin
Some of the sites listed as receiving fed-
or two percent of those eligible. Genuine
underfunded experiments in so many
with, and liberal advocates will sputter
eral money in Hudson County could not
firections is tempting a fate that befell an
that their ideas were never given a fair test.
be found. ICO members said they made
Rolling Stone 4/15
- visits, day and night, to an insti-
hired the participants without the subsidy
articulated a new vision of ongoing tech-
then follows up with continuing training
tute training minorities for jobs in finan-
and approximately the same percentage of
nical training for the seventy percent of
programs for adult workers. The assump-
cial institutions but could not get anyone
employers actually retain the participants
the work force that does not go to college.
tion is that the decline of wages that is cre-
to answer the door. Their phone calls
after the subsidy ends." In other words,
Eager to change things, Reich has been
ating a two-tiered society can be reversed
reached an answering machine. The
this is free money for doing what they
talking to people like the community
by upgrading the productive capacities of
Franklin School of Cosmetology closed its
would have done anyway.
organizers from San Antonio. Maybe
people below the professional levels, from
Jersey City location but continued to col-
In some places, local community organ-
when Clinton's labor legislation is sent to
factory workers to bank tellers to retail
lect subsidies for a manicurist. The Betty
izations like ICO. in Jersey City, are wag-
Congress, it will reflect some of Sister
clerks. I'm not convinced the assumption
Owens Secretarial School acknowledged
ing grass-roots struggles to break up such
Pearl's street smarts about job training.
is correct, but at least the thinking is bold.
that some of its graduates wound up in
cozy arrangements. In San Antonio,
The bad news, one has to add, is that
In effect, the Clinton administration
low-wage jobs with less real income than
Texas, two groups - Communities Or-
Reich and Clinton have so far embraced
wants to emulate the kind of elaborate
they were getting on welfare.
ganized for Public Service and Metro Al-
some of the hoariest features of the bank-
labor-market training systems that exist in
ICO's investigation produced some
liance - have launched a $7 million pro-
rupt status quo. Since Congress renewed
Germany, Denmark and Sweden. These
action - a new reform mayor promised to
gram with federal, state and local money
the JTPA legislation only last year, the
ideas (even the phrase "lifelong learning")
clean up the system - but the Jersey City
that starts from very different premises.
new administration would have set off
originated in a 1990 study - "America's
complaints are commonplace across the
In Project Quest, no one will be trained
multiple squabbles if it had reopened the
Choice: High Skills or Low Wages!" -
nation: Federal aid may benefit employers,
for a job that does not exist. The jobs must
subject. So it ducked that fight for now.
produced by the National Center on
training schools or local bureaucrats, but
pay at least $7.50 an hour with full bene-
Instead of rethinking the hodgepodge of
Education and the Economy. The study
it does not do much for the people
fits and offer a plausible career path
thirty job-training pieces at Labor, the
has considerable clout in the White
trapped at the low end of the labor mar-
upward. Training begins only when an
administration wants to add a large, new
House because Clinton adviser Ira Ma-
ket. An audit by the Labor Department's
employer has made an upfront commit-
piece of its own, called "lifelong learning."
gaziner chaired it, and Hillary Rodham
inspector general found that seven out of
ment to hire the trainee. And the training
What's worse, the president's "vision of
Clinton served on the center's board.
ten workers got jobs right after subsidized
is real - eighteen months to two years of
training, but less than half were still work-
classroom instruction that produces diesel
ing four months later.
mechanics, environmental technicians and
oday the government is spending a ton of money for pro-
Instead of a ladder for upward mobili-
hospital therapists. Employers get no cash
ty, job training more nearly resembles a
subsidy - what they get are reliable
giant wheel tumbling people about like
employees with roots in the community.
grams to "train" people to do society's scut work - as
clothes in a dryer - in and out of marginal
"We're getting the jobs upfront, so
T
jobs. For thirty years, in fact, the govern-
we're not going to be telling people that
ment has been inventing new approaches
the jobs will magically appear, says Sister
custodians, security guards, laborers, dishwashers. But
to job training, and each one has eventu-
Pearl Caesar, a San Antonio organizer.
ally produced the same frustrating result.
"We canvassed the community to find the
flipping burgers at McDenald's is not a way out of the ghetto.
The logic of failure is inescapable:
good jobs that employers have to fill by
While a few certainly benefit from train-
importing people from elsewhere. But this
ing, the overall dimensions of poverty can-
is not an employer-oriented program.
change" actually revives and makes per-
Ultimately, this approach would
not possibly be altered if the wage struc-
We're looking at it as an economic-devel-
manent a tax break for the businesses that
require a total overhaul of the govern-
ture in the private economy continues to
opment strategy for the city - developing
hire dishwashers, fry cooks and bellhops.
ment's fragmented commitments to train-
deteriorate. The basic problem is the
a work force that will support growth"
This so-called targeted-jobs tax credit for
ing, In effect, that would mean building a
shortage of good jobs with living wages,
After careful screening, Project Quest
hiring disadvantaged young people will
system to serve everyone, not just special
not a shortage of willing workers. Instead
has enrolled 450 people so far for training
consume $605 million a year, not a trivial
categories. Reforming government is diffi-
of confronting that politically charged
and identified 1500 to 2500 potential jobs
amount. But it's basically a bribe to major
cult enough, but the real barrier to these
problem directly and creating jobs, the
in the San Antonio area, mostly in medi-
employers to get them to take on ghetto
ideas will likely come in persuading com-
government instead spends a ton of mon-
cal care. It has refused to place people in
kids they might otherwise avoid.
panies to take long-term responsibility for
ey "training" people to do society's scut
telemarketing and other fields because
The money goes to famous corporate
their workers. "America's Choice" envi-
work - as custodians, security guards,
those jobs did not represent real improve-
names like Marriott, McDonald's, Kmart,
sioned a payroll tax to support govern-
laborers, dishwashers. Tossing pizzas is not
ment for the people who might fill them.
Walmart, Kroger's and UPS. The
ment training programs or act as a stick
a road out of the ghetto. Nor is flipping
"There were a lot of employers that want-
employer can save up to $2400 of the first
to induce companies to do their own train-
burgers at McDonald's
ed to be part of this, but we said no
$6000 in wages by certifying that a young
ing. But that was abandoned in Clinton's
As it happens, the present failure is
because they paid only $5.50 an hour," says
worker (or Vietnam vet or welfare recipi-
blizzard of new tax proposals.
bipartisan. It may even be laid partly at
Ernesto Cortes Jr., a project adviser.
ent) is "economically disadvantaged," but
In the interest of cutting costs, major
Dan Quayle's doorstep. Quayle constant-
"There's absolutely no reason to train peo-
no one claims that this money actually cre-
U.S. companies are currently abandoning
ly cited as proof of his social sensibilities
ple for jobs that will perpetuate poverty."
ates additional jobs, even lousy ones.
their employees, even white-collar em-
the fact that as a senator, he had joined
This tough-minded approach escapes
Lobbyist William A. Signer, who
ployees. Nations like Germany that are
with Edward Kennedy in cosponsoring
the deceit that goes on in other programs,
pushes the tax credit for the National
Clinton's model are quite different soci-
the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
but it also faces an obvious limitation:
Council of Chain Restaurants, cheerfully
eties; all have strong organized-labor
of 1982 That act was supposed to clean
Success depends ultimately on real job
acknowledges that it mainly subsidizes
movements to advocate social standards,
up the job-training mess by taking control
growth. If the government wanted to get
low-wage work. But he asks: "How the
and their corporations have much
away from bureaucrats and giving it to
serious about helping the disadvantaged,
hell is Bob Reich going to train these kids
stronger commitments to supporting the
hardheaded businessmen.
it would start creating public-service jobs
for the twenty-first-century workplace if
domestic social order. Of course, if the
Private Industry Councils (PICs) were
directly and on a large scale. That idea is
we can't get them to work? We've got to
United States had a stronger labor move-
created at the local level to run the pro-
notably missing from Clinton's heady
teach them how to crawl before you teach
ment, people in low-wage jobs might be
grams. But in many places, the results
reform vision. Tm afraid they don't yet
them how to walk or to run."
organized to fight for themselves.
were privatized rip-offs. The Houston
understand the importance of public-sec-
Reich's plan, though still very fuzzy,
Even if Clinton could persuade Con-
PIC boasted in its annual report that fed-
tor jobs," says Cortes. "But maybe they'll
apparently envisions using a small portion
gress to clean the job-training house, he'd
eral on-the-job training aid is "for busi-
find a backdoor way to do that."
of the $605 million tax credit to entice
have to take on the deeper problem of
nesses that want to reduce labor costs and
employers to set up apprentice-training
business's social indifference. It's a large
increase profits." Labor's inspector gener-
THE GOOD NEWS, ONE MIGHT SAY, IS THAT
s' CS for young people. This would help
order, but at least he's thinking big, Clin-
al reported in 1988: "About 60 percent of
the new secretary of labor is an inventive
launch the grand vision of "lifelong learn-
ton could start to close the gap between
the employers who receive subsidies to
intellectual named Robert Reich. A long-
ing" - a national system that raises tech-
rhetoric and reality by not subsidizing the
provide OTJ training say they would have
standing critic of the status quo, he has
nical skills of noncollege young people,
hiring of any more hamburger flippers.
ROLLING STONE APRIL 15TH. 1993 29
tpril 21, 1993
THE WASHINGTON POST
It is fashionable, isn't it?"I am very hopeful that
First Lady Lauds Youth Service
the decade of the '80s-in which individuality and
selfishness and greed were viewed as virtues-is
over," Mrs. Clinton said. "And [ am particularly
helping their brothers and sisters, of doing good and
hopeful that the promise of the '90s will be fulfilled."
By Martha Sherrill
outreach, of uttering new words like "community."
She was self-effacing and loose, upbeat and spirit-
Washington Post Staff Writer
A crowd of dedicated philanthropists and social
ed and philosophical. "The more that we can expand
Yesterday was National Youth Service Day and
activists and leaders were gathered on fold-out
the idea that we are interconnected and interdepen-
anything seemed possible, as anything does on days
chairs and listening - - people like Peggy Cooper
dent," she said, "that we need one another in order
like yesterday. It was warm and blustery. golden
Cafritz and Marian Wright Edelman, Sens. Ted
(1) be fully whoever we were intended by God to be.
tulips were exploding from the balustrade of the
Kennedy and Harris Wolford and Carol Moseley-
the more we understand the role that service has to
South Portico of the blinding white White House,
Braun, Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly. and Vanessa
play III an individual's life, in a community's life, in a
flags were snapping, a young woman led a rap song,
Kirsch, 27, who last year founded Public Allies, a
nation's life."
and 100 District youths assembled on bleachers and
community service group upon which President
Quoting Edelnian-"service is the rent you pay
smiled behind Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Clinton's new National Service Initiative was mod-
for living"-Mrs. Clinton moved on, with more talk
"Service is not a one-way street," said the First
Lady. "Service is not about doing something for
eled.
about service. adding more thoughts that made
Eli Segal introduced the First Lady to whoops
anything seem possible all over again. Service, she
somebody else and that's the end. Service is being
and whistles. Mother Teresa herself wouldn't have
said, "is the way that we find meaning in our lives,
committed and being a part of the community in
evoked more happy, encouraging noises. Segal, the
both individually and collectively.
We see it in
which you live, and it means that you get as well as
White House director of the Office of National
the houses we build. We see it in the neighborhoods
you give."
Service, described her as "a woman who knows
we help reclaim. We see it in the lives we touch.
Anything did seem possible at the outdoor cere-
what community service is all about and has been
"And when we come home," she said, "and look in
mony honoring some 100 local young leaders, even
making a commitment to her community for a long,
the mirror. we know that we've been reclaimed,
the chance that teenagers could get excited about
the notion of public service. of unselfish living, of
long time-long before this was a fashionable idea."
we've been touched, we've been served."
And 26, 1993/Army Times
3
This Week
The pitch: Sgt. Anthony Clark, at an Army recruiting station in a Washington, D.C., suburb, talks to John Puder, who is enrolling in a delayed-entry program.
Recruit quality hits 10-year low
Smaller percentage
cants, said Lt. Col. Greg McGuckin, chief of
the advertising and marketing branch for
Clinton's service plan
Senate Armed Services Committee
chairman.
of new troops have
the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for
Personnel.
could be a nightmare
What recruiters did know is that the
$10,000 in educational benefits young peo-
high school diplomas
"Fiscal 1993 [quality measures] indicate
that we are having more difficulty attract-
for military recruiters
ple would be offered for two years of do-
mestic service would erode the attractive-
By Chris Murray
ing high quality than in some years because
By Rick Maze
ness of the Montgomery GI Bill, which has
Times staff writer
of the decline in the propensity to enlist,"
Times staff writer
been one of the main draws for recruits in
WASHINGTON - The quality of re-
McGuckin said.
cruits joining the Army has reached a 10-
FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Military re-
recent years.
year low, officials say.
Drawdown publicity a factor
cruiters say the last thing they need is for
For a recruit enlisting for two years. the
President Clinton to start a domestic na-
Montgomery GI Bill pays $11,700 in basic
According to statistics released by the Of-
McGuckin said young people's propensity
fice of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Person-
tional service plan that competes with them
educational benefits. For an enlistment of
to enlist in the Army has declined 31 per-
cent since 1991, primarily because of the
for top-quality high school graduates.
three years or longer, the GI Bill offers
nel, 89.2 percent of the 61,973 recruits the
On top of cuts in resources - recruiters
$14,400 in benefits. To enroll in the GI Bill,
Army brought onto active duty between
Army's widely publicized drawdown. Young
people perceive 8 lack of job security and at
and advertising - and less inclination
a service member must forfeit $1,200 in ba-
Oct. 1, 1992, and March 31 were high
BIC pay, although Clinton has proposed rais-
school graduates. During the 1992 budget
the same time advertising dollars have
among high school graduates to consider
been reduced, making it difficult for re-
military careers, a national service program
ing the contribution to $1,600.
year, all of the Army's recruits were high
school graduates. This year's rate is the
cruiters to get their point across, he said.
would make recruiting harder by drawing
Clinton's national service plan is intend-
"The only means we have to spread the
possible military candidates into domestic
ed to make youths going to college serve
lowest percentage of high school graduates
joining the service since 1983.
word that the Army still has opportunities
service, said 21 recruiters meeting with
their country in return for getting educa-
The drop in the percentage of high school
for young people is advertising, McCuckin
four members of the House Veterans' Af-
tional assistance. Two-year assignments in
said. "Our advertising budget has been
fairs Committee. The lawmakers talked to
caring for the elderly, working in hospitals,
graduates came during the second quarter
of the 1993 budget year - January, Febru-
groups of service members here, Parris Is-
providing day care, community clean-up
substantially reduced over P last few
ary and March - when 83.6 percent of the
years."
land Marine Corps Recruit Training Cen-
projects or environmental restoration
Army's 18,512 recruits came in with
According to numbers compiled by the
ter, S.C.; and Fort Benning, Ga.
would be required. Youths enrolled in na-
diplomas.
Association of the United States Army, ad-
Recruiters spoke without knowing much
tional service would receive minimum wage
Dwindling resources for recruiting and
vertising is now less than 5 percent of the
about the Democratic national service plan.
and modest benefits. The big draw would
lessened interest in service among young
Details are still being drawn up by the
be the $10,000 stipend, which could be used
overall recruiting dollar.
The lower quality measures come despite
Clinton administration, although the con-
for college or vocational school or a down
people are among the reasons recruiters are
having difficulty bringing in quality appli-
cept has been discussed for years by Demo-
payment on a home purchase.
See RECRUITING next page
crats such as Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga, the
See SERVICE next page
Army Times/April 26. 1992
Recruit
Sudden reversal
Service plan
quality at
The percentage of new Army recruits who are high school graduates is
worries
10-year low
suddenly dropping sharply after.a generally- trend.
recruiters
100%
RECRUITING from preceding page
SERVICE from preceding page
the fact that Army reduced its recruiting
"I have a lot of concern about a national
goal for 1993 budget year from 83,400 to
service plan that provides about the same
76,000 because of the declining pool of po-
95
educational benefit to someone who is emp-
tential enlistees, McGuckin said.
tying bedpans at a hospital as given some-
"There's going to be a reduction in mis-
one who is serving in Somalia," said
sion as the Army draws down," McGuckin
Montgomery.
said.
90
"Everyone would love to be in the mili-
Another factor is a reduction in U.S.
tary if they could stay home an live with
Army Recruiting Command's reach. In
Mom and Dad. That is what makes nation-
1989, the Army had five recruiting bri-
al service attractive," said SFC Jasper
gades, 55 battalions, 261 companies and
Bembry, a recruiter.
2,027 recruiting stations. This year, it has
four brigades, 42 battalions, 222 companies
Educational benefits have been a major
and 1,600 stations.
selling point when recruiters meet with
With the drop in quality enlistees, the
parents If youths can get generally equal
Army has had to take in enlistees who
educational assistance without leaving
scored in the lowest acceptable category of
82
84
90
'91
home, parents will become a harder sell, re-
cruiters said.
the Armed Forces Qualifications Test. Dur-
ing the first half of the 1993 budget year,
1993(Ret half)
National service "hasn't even been pro
4.3 percent scored in the lowest acceptable
Source: Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel
ATPCO
Kun
posed yet and I am getting questions about
category. During the second quarter, 4.4
it," said Navy recruiter Michael Ruble, a
machinist's mate first class.
percent of the recruits were in that
the first half of the budget year, 66.2 per-
ers face is getting in the door and explain-
category.
cent of recruits with high school diplomas
ing what the Army has to offer.
Like other recruiters, Ruble said that if
"Within the recruiting market, there is a
scored in that range. For the second quar-
national service is offered, the military will
reduced propensity to enlist and 80 in order
"In addition to selling the Army, we have
ter, 67 percent of high schor grads scored
have to respond with other enticements.
to achieve our mission we have to take in
to overcome questions about the draw-
in the top half. During the first half of
"Being competitive is the really big thing
some [recruits in] Category IVs,'
down," he said, such as whether young peo-
1992, 78 percent of the Army's enlistees
If they come out with a program, we are
McGuckin said.
ple can still enlist, whether they can retire
scored in the higher category of the exam.
going to have to change ours," Ruble said
There are six categories of scores on the
in 15 years and 80 on. "That's before we
Recruiters throughout the country say
qualification test. Category I is those scor-
can get our foot in the door and tell them
"What we have learned is we are going
that with the cutback in television and
ing 93-99; Category II, 65-92; Category
about money for college and job training,"
to have to be very careful," said Rep. James
newspaper advertising, they have to rely on
Potter said.
Clyburn, D-S.C., a veterans' committee
IIIA, 50-64; Category IIIB, 31-49; Category
their own abilities to convince young people
member. He said he supports national ser-
IV, 10-30 and Category V, one to nine. The
that the Army is still hiring.
Potter said the pool of quality applicants
vice as long as military benefits increase at
score given is a percentile, that is, it repre-
"Recruiters are being asked to do more
is available, but finding them depends on
the same time. If military benefits are not
sents the standing of the person graded
with less resources,' said SFC Bobby Pot-
the location. He said young people in some
increased, the services could be in trouble.
against others taking the test. Fifty is an
ter of the Woodbridge, Va., Recruiting Sta-
areas have a higher tendency to enlist than
"Nobody is going to come out here in July
average rating, SO recruits in the three top
tion. "The recruiter has to depend on [him-
others.
for three months of training when they
categories are above average. The Army
self or herself]
[and] can't depend on
The recent increase in the Army College
could opt for service in an air-conditioned
does not enlist people in Category V.
television or newspaper ads that are gone
Fund from $25,000 to $30,000 for a four-
classroom,' he said while visiting Fort
now. [A recruiter] has to be the word of the
Test scores drop
year enlistment, from $22,800 to $25,000
Jackson.
Army and they have to meet prospective
for a three-year enlistment and from
"If educational benefits are the same for
Another major quality indicator dropped:
enlistees face to face to tell them what the
$17,000 to $20,000 for two years helps re-
national service as for the military, this IS
The percentage of recruits scoring in the
Army has to offer.'
cruiters sell the Army to high school gradu-
going to hurt," agreed Rep. Sanford Bishop.
top half of the qualifications test. During
Potter said the hardest thing his recruit-
ates, Potter said.
D-Ga.
Some troops say duty, transition help conflict
By Rick Maze
complete the resume I had started," he said
Times staff writer
At Fort Benning, Ga., another site visited by the delega-
"The information they provided looked good, but in
FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Some soldiers caught in the
tion, base officials have an elaborate system for identifying
Panama we were left in the dark."
those who could use the training up to 200 days before
drawdown are not being given a chance to take advantage
Sgt. Michael Southerly, also from the Panama brigade,
of counseling programs designed to ease the transition to
separation. Base officials said that support from the base
said he received a lot of bad advice about his medical dis-
civilian life, a group of congressmen were told.
commander, Maj. Gen. Jerry White, is crucial in getting
charge. Planning to live in Pennsylvania after his separa-
units to release soldiers to attend the courses.
Meeting here with soldiers about to leave active duty,
tion, Southerly said he left his family in Panama and ar-
members of a congressional delegation heard complaints
At both Fort Jackson and Fort Benning, it was unclear
rived in South Carolina with only $5 because he was told
just how successful transition assistance has been. While
that at least one unit in Panama, the 193rd Infantry Bri-
his needs would be taken care of. He also said he was de-
soldiers attending the course on how to find civilian em-
gade, prevented departing soldiers from attending a three-
nied the chance to enroll in the transition program.
day job counseling and placement assistance program.
ployment report in surveys that they are pleased with the
Army officials said they would investigate the
The delegation, led by House Veterans' Affairs Commit-
course, there is no follow-up after they leave service to
complaints.
tee Chairman G. V. Montgomery D-Miss., had just left a
find if attending the classes actually helped them find jobs.
The problem reported by the two soldiers is one of the
briefing on how the Army, Labor Department, Depart-
Defense Department and service officials said they don't
many kin; that still have to be worked out of the transi-
ment of Veterans Affairs and state employment officials
know of any accurate means of evaluating the value of the
tion assistan: programs, said congressional aides and De-
were combining resources to prepare separating troops for
courses. A simple survey of who is employed six months
fense Department and service officials. Unit commanders
the civilian job market. The counseling programs are oper-
after separation would not necessarily indicate who bene-
decide when and if separating service members can the
ated at 184 sites in 44 states, reaching 97 percent of sepa-
fited from the courses and who found a job through other
transition courses. Southerly and Polaco said their unit
rating service members, according to defense officials.
means, said Robert Stein, the Defense Department direc-
was involved in a training cycle and the commander would
But talking here April 13 with a group of about 20 sol-
tor of transition programs.
not release them to attend.
diers who were leaving the Army, the delegation was sur-
A survey asking people after they leave the service if the
What the problems of Polaco and Southerly show is the
prised to hear from two soldiers that they were unable to
course was helpful would likely be inaccurate because
need for commands to draw up lists of separating troops
attend the separation seminar. Both had identical stories:
those who had found work would be more satisfied with
as early as possible SO they can be scheduled for transition
They were aware of the Army-run counseling program in
the Army assistance than those who had not found work,
counseling within 180 days of leaving the service, as the
Panama but were unable to take the time off from their
whether or not the course was really the cause of contin-
law allows, officials said. Those leaving the service who are
unit to attend
ued unemployment
unable or unwilling to attend a transition course before
Sgt. Ronald Polaco said he benefited from some of the
leaving active duty may attend a course up to six months
The General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of
counseling programs, but was ordered back to normal
Congress, is looking at military transition assistance pro-
after separation. Pentagon officials have no statistics to
duty before finishing. "I didn't even have the chance to
grams to try to determine if the courses are valuable in
show how many people are taking advantage of this.
helping people get post-service employment
LOS ANGELES TIMES
THURSDAY. APRIL 29, 1993
over four years.
Also. the program would favor disadvantaged young
people. rather than those of middle-income families.
C inton Plan
for many of the jobs because the plan gives community
agencies that will run the programs the power to de-
place other workers. To counter that worry. the pro-
cide who gets the jobs. And many of those agencies are
gram's federal supervisors will require proof that the
inclined. because of private grant money they receive
jobs do not displace other hiring before they award
for National
and their charters. to prefer those who are most in
money to agencies.
need.
With its emphasis on volunteerism and the public
"The middle class' interests got. obviously, some-
good. the program has many advocates among both
Service Due
what diluted." acknowledged Charles Moskos. a
parties. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. D-Mass., chairman
Northwestern University sociologist who was a Clin-
of the Senate committee that will consider the legisla-
ton adviser and longtime advocate of national service.
tion, said he expected "strong bipartisan support.
While helping the neediest may be a worthy goal. it
Yet it is also clear that obstacles await on Capitol
By PAUL RICHTER
could cause political problems for Clinton if this pro-
Hill. Some supporters see them in the House Education
TIMES STAFF WRITER
Al
gram-a top priority and ever-reliable campaign ap-
and Labor Committee. whose chairman, Rep. William
plause line-is not perceived as serving the interests
D. Ford. D-Mich.. has demonstrated more interest in
WASHINGTON-Presdent
of the broad middle class.
jobs programs for poor youths than in national service.
Clinton is expected to unveil a na-
Already. Republicans have accused Clinton of be-
And one key congressional aide saw risks that even
tional service proposal Friday that
traying his claim to be a "new Democrat" by proposing
with its wide support the plan may get little financial
is larger than envisioned only
increased taxes for middle-income workers and stress-
support - for the present. at least. because of deficit-
weeks ago. but still likely to disap-
ing social programs for the disadvantaged. The nation-
eutting fever.
point middle-class families who
al service program was to be proof of Clinton's concern
"I don't know almost anybody who doesn't like the
had hoped that this much-trum-
about the financial anxieties of middle-income Ameri-
idea," the aide said. "But with deficit-cutting still
peted campaign proposal would
cans.
moving up the charts, I don't know where the money
cover their crushing college costs.
The program's advocates argue that it will fulfill
is going to come from."
At a meeting in New Orleans,
that purpose. although it may take a while.
Clinton is to propose a program
Will Marshall. who is president of the Progressive
that will employ 150,000 young
Policy Institute-a Clinton-affiliated think tank-and
people by 1997. awarding them
has been an adviser on national service. said that the
$13,000 for college expenses in re-
White House is prudent to start out the program at a
turn for two years of service at
reasonable size.
low-paying. socially useful jobs. At
that size. the program would be up
"This IS an enormously complicated undertaking,"
sharply from the 100,000 slots dis-
he said. "We shouldn't try to create hundreds of thou-
cussed earlier this spring and the
sands of jobs overnight and risk foul-ups that would
stipend would be enough to cover
discredit it."
the average cost of two years at a
Marshall contended that the national service pro-
state university.
But that is still far short of what
gram is a good example of Clinton's philosophy be-
Clinton talked of during the presi-
iential campaign. when he said
that all Americans ought to be able
to borrow to cover their education-
'This is an enormously complicated
al expenses and repay the money
hrough public service. "Any
undertaking. We shouldn't try to
American, without regard to in-
creat hundreds of thousands of jobs
come, no questions asked," he said
it one point last April.
overnight and risk foul-ups that would
Even when it would reach its full
discredit it.'
aze in 1997. the program would
give jobs to. at most. only about 3%
WILL MARHSALL
of the 5 million students who get
President of the Progressive Policy Institute
inancial aid.
And some key congressional
ides are already wondering
cause of the role it conceives between government and
whether national service-despite
citizens.
IS wide political appeal-will get
"This is the paradigmatic 'New Democrat' idea, be-
he seed money that Clinton wants
cause it envisions a reciprocal relationship," he said.
when pressures are growing in
"This carries the idea of civil responsibility. a quid pro
Congress to reduce the deficit and
quo and a move away from the entitlements politics
hold down new spending. Clinton's
that have literally been bankrupting the country."
proposal would cost $7.4 billion
He said that, if the $13,000 does not fully cover col-
Please see JOBS, A8
lege costs. it does represent a large down payment on
those expenses. And he noted that many families try to
pay for college from several sources, including sav-
ings, scholarships, loans and money earned through
part-time work.
The program will offer jobs not only for students
who have graduated from college but also for students
who want public service employment part-time and
for high school graduates. Some advocates argue that
employing high school graduates can have a particu-
larly big payoff, because it can help many young peo-
ple mature before they go to college. And it can mean
financial support and motivation for others-including
students from poorer families-who had not consid-
ered college.
The program will put young people to work at a va-
riety of tasks. They will work on environmental
cleanup projects. as teacher's aides, health care assis-
tants, day care aides and police cadets, among other
positions.
Another element of the proposal is a plan to allow
students to take out government loans, then repay
them as a small share of their income for a number of
years after they graduate.
The program's designers wrestled with how to dis-
tribute the available jobs among the many who are ex-
pected to apply. Administration officials decided that
the answer was to leave the selection to the local
agencies that will offer them. while requiring those
agencies to comply with certain rules.
Clinton has promised that he would not create a
huge bureaucracy to operate the program. For that
reason. much of the administration will be handled by
the local agencies.
Administration officials came under pressure from
organized labor to make sure that the jobs did not dis-
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
For Immediate Release
April 30, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN DISCUSSION WITH STUDENTS
OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE INITIATIVE
Benjamin Franklin High School Courtyard
New Orleans, Louisiana
11:52 A.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. It's good to see you.
How many of you are students here? Okay. And how
many of you are in the Delta Service Corps? And, then, who's
here from Teach For America? That's good. I've got it.
Let me, first of all, say how delighted I am to be
here and how much I appreciate all of you taking a little time
out to talk with me. You probably know that I am going from here
over to the University of New Orleans to speak about the National
Service Plan and the new direct loan plan for college students
that will be announced today and will be introduced shortly into
the Congress.
And I have with me today Senator Johnston and many
members of your congressional delegation and your Lieutenant
Governor and many state officials here and some people who have
come all the way from Washington to be with us -- the Secretary
of Education and General David Jones, former Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff -- a lot of people who believe in you and
your future and all the other young people in this country.
And what I wanted to do today is to try to sort of
set the stage for this speech that I'm going to go give, and also
to listen to you a little bit about the kinds of things that you
do now -- why did you get into this service, do you believe if
there were more opportunities more young people would do it.
This program we're going to propose will provide
opportunities for tens of thousands of young people to work
before, during, or after college to build up credit against a
college education, or, if they do it afterward, to pay off their
college loans. It will also change the way young people borrow
money to go to college so that you won't have to pay money back
that you can't afford to pay back. Even if you borrow a lot of
money to go to college, you'll always pay it back as a percentage
of your income, so that people will be able to -- and if you're
not working, you don't have to pay it back. Then you pay it back
as you work. But we're going to use the tax system and make sure
that you have to pay it back if you can, so there won't be all
the defaults we have now. That will lower the cost of -- and the
threshold of going to college for every young person in America
who wants to deal with it.
So I want to increase access to college, but also
it's very important for me to increase the number of people
starting in our high schools who will engage in some form of
service.
So I think it would be -- it would be helpful to me
to know -- we can maybe start with the high school students. If
you could talk a little bit about the service projects you've
been involved in and why you do it and whether you think we can
get a lot more people involved.
Who wants to go first?
Q
I'll go first.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm a senior here at Ben Franklin
Senior High School, and the program that I'm involved in is the
Girl Scouts of America. And for the past four years, what I've
been doing is volunteering them with -- I've stayed with the same
girls for the past four years.
I started as a volunteer and now I'm a troop leader.
And just the other day, this past week it was Take Our Daughters
to Work Week, and we brought our girls, we brought them to an
attorney's office, we brought them to a doctor's office. We want
to show them that their opportunities are not limited. We want
to show them that there are role models out there to get them off
of that path of drugs and teenage pregnancy and that there are
role models for them to follow.
It's a really great program. The girls -- once you
get them out of their shell, once you get them talking, they
really want to learn. They really want to make a difference.
And I think that's what this whole situation is about.
There needs to be more role models. I think that's
why we're all here today. That's a given. But it's not just a
role model we're talking about, it's someone who wants to take an
active role, someone who has the time to contribute, because
that's the vital commodity that we're talking about -- time.
And so I think that by volunteering like we're
talking about with the National Service Program, not only will we
be allowing people to give their time up, but it will also be for
a good cause. And hopefully they'll be trained to help these
people, to help these children, especially. And they' have the
knowledge to help them to show them that there is a better way of
life for them. Because a lot of these girls, they're from the
inner cities and they have very unstable lives. And they come
with so many problems, searching for help, looking for help,
asking for help, almost. And someone needs to be there to listen
to them, and I think that's -- hopefully, I'm achieving that goal
that I'm setting up for myself. And I really think it's a good
program, along with all of the other programs that we have here
with us today.
But the Girl Scouts of America -- they've been in
this country for a very long time, has a very long history. But
I think its role is changing. We're redefining the role
nowadays, because it's not only just the neighborhood girl, it's
the girl from the inner city, it's the girl whose dad is
unemployed, it's the girl who has no parents; it's any girl.
THE PRESIDENT: You know, one of the things that I
think is good about this program is we're going to build on the
organizations at work now, and set it up on a state-by-state
basis. And a state can certify any program that's working in
that state to be eligible to take young people for the national
service program. So we're not going to create a whole new
network of things. We're going to build on the programs that are
working.
Anybody else? Anybody from the Delta Service Corps?
Go ahead.
Q
I'm with the National Summerbridge program.
That's a program where high school and college students teach
fifth and sixth graders from -- we teach at-risk youths, as well
as non at-risk youths. And I think it's an important program,
because young people are involved in education. And not only
education, but teaching in a creative way and mentoring and
tutoring. And in the same way Denise was talking about --
we're the role models, we're people who have done a lot in school
who are willing to spend our summers teaching and volunteering
and showing these kids that there is another world.
And we also bring different kids together from
different backgrounds all around the city. And that's really
important, because the diversity and meeting, the meeting of
ideas and culture, and that's really important. I spent two
years teaching and administrating and tutoring. And I'm also
involved in lots of -- (inaudible) -- and organizations around
school. We have many clubs that go to the Methodist Home for
Children who will do to the Christmas party, and we do food
drives.
I think there are people out there willing to commit
their time. And if they knew that this was a way to fund their
education, there would be even more. Because maybe people right
now would say right now, well, they are working on regular jobs
to pay for college. But if they could be working and paying off
college in the community, that's just like a -- benefit.
THE PRESIDENT: Anyone else?
Q
(inaudible) -- my junior year, and I was
involved in the Nestle, their Invest in youths program -- and the
Nestle Corporation gave a $10,000 grant and a council of high
school students was set up to decide how to spend it. And
sitting down and going through and making up priorities.
We ended up with the $10,000. We spent $7,000 at a
homeless shelter, and we bought them new kitchen equipment, and
then we went down and we actually served the lunch on this
equipment. And we spent the rest of the money renovating a local
park. It was just an incredible feeling to go down there.
THE PRESIDENT: And how many young people were
involved in the project?
Q
We started out with about 40, and then through
attrition, we ended up with about eight or 10 of us at the end.
But it was just a great feeling to go down there and do that.
THE PRESIDENT: What did you learn about homeless
people?
Q
That they're just like us. That they're
families and that they want to succeed as badly as we do. And
that there are more of them in the city than I ever thought
possible. The line for that lunch just kept going forever.
Q
I'm with Delta Service Corps. It's a great
program. It is a national demonstration model for the country.
We're into building a coalition between Louisiana, Arkansas and
Mississippi. And what we're trying to do is promote an ethic of
civic responsibility through community service. And we're doing
that by dealing with already existing agencies. (Inaudible) --
citizens and agencies that can also choose in their community to
serve their community. We also get (inaudible) -- benefits and a
stipend.
We do promote (inaudible) -- agents from 17 on up,
and we want to be able to incorporate those who are in high
school, those who are going to college, already in college, and
those who are out. I'm out. I'm 27 years old. I graduated in
'90 at State University. I never thought I'd be in a service
industry. I started out in the hotel industry. It's great.
It's a way that not only you can prepare for your future with the
experience that you're getting, (inaudible) -- you already have,
and also be able to get a decent job that you can pay for the
rest of your college tuition. So it ties into the whole idea of
you having the big picture and how community service can connect
with that big picture.
Q
It occurred to me something you haven't
mentioned, and that was when we're with volunteer organizations,
we are surrounded by people who are your own age or thereabout,
and are a bunch of doers. There's all this energy. I know
Americans -- we have a lot of energy all of the time. People are
always getting things done. They're giving you new ideas to
build from, and you're gaining from those ideas and going off on
your own, and there's a lot of support. A program like the one
you're talking about will just spread that throughout the nation.
Meanwhile, you have things like drug abuse and pregnancy, it's
going to give people's names and stories to put with those words
that they read in the newspaper. And as you go on in your life,
will never forget that, just how important that is.
THE PRESIDENT: Do you have a feeling in the Teach
For America program that you're actually helping people change
their lives?
Q Sure. I mean, as a teacher you have so many
responsibilities, and you see your kids for -- I see my kids for
an hour a day because I teach high school. And when I think back
about people who influenced me, I can pick out teachers. A lot
of people can do that. And now we're in that position.
Q
I'm a sixth grade teacher. I'm also with Teach
For America. I truly believe that I've had an awesome
opportunity to help my children to grow outside of the classroom
as well. I took my class to Jazzfest last week. Our lesson was
in diversity in music and things like that. They had an
opportunity to meet a couple of local rock and rollers. And the
day after they met the guys, the guys were on the front page of
the paper. This is a friend of mine in town, and he just
happened to -- the kids just really respond to people who will
take the extra time. Teach For America people have taken a lot
of extra time, and teaching requires a lot. And the program is
very supportive of people who are under that stressful 80-some
hour a week time-taking that it takes. And that's what's great
about the organization and what will be great about a national
service plan.
There's support there. You can take an 80-hour week
and get in there and do it, and that's what's required is help.
And that's what they do.
THE PRESIDENT: The Teach For America program has
worked very well. And I hope that -- this should help increase
the recruitment, because you'll get some credit against whatever
your accumulated college loans are to go do that.
What about you? What are you doing?
Q
I'm from VISTA, which is Volunteers In Service
To America. And I serve in the literacy program, called Project
Learning. It's adult literacy. The area I live, I work in
Homer, which is very near the Gulf, so there's a high, high
illiteracy rate. And just with my own experience, seen just the
incredible need down there. We look at a lot of food stamp
recipients and just this vicious circle, the poverty circle just
keeps turning round and round. And -- the only way to get out of
that is (inaudible) -- education.
So, of course, we try to get it at the end of the
line where they're -- (inaudible) -- I'm very against this whole
social promotion that goes on, still, today, and I'm trying to
fight -- and I am going to go to Teach For America right after
this, because that was my whole goal with that, is to provide
good teachers in this area, teachers who really care.
And so, what Project Learn does is, we provide
tutors. We have -- we use the Loboc (sp.) method of teaching,
which is an international method. And we teach the volunteers.
We train them. They're certified tutors. At the end of that, we
-- (inaudible) -- and so that's what (inaudible) -- do this, and
we do a lot of public relations and we're just (inaudible) -- and
I also -- (inaudible) -- another thing I've done just on my own
is tutoring in an after school program in the project. I think
it's -- (inaudible) -- but it's called the -- (inaudible) --
program. And that's a program I'd like to see increased, not
only here but all over the nation. Because these kids, they grow
up with drugs, violence. I mean, they hear shots throughout the
-- (inaudible) -- I think it's just -- I don't know how you can
function in school when you've got to worry about you getting
shot at night or whatever.
Those kids are tough to work with. They really are.
But I love them to death. I've got first- and second-graders,a
and I come out of there with 10 gray hairs every time. But
they're just wonderful students. I'm going to miss them terribly
when they leave. But I just really think that those types of
programs need to be increased. And I just think they're great.
THE PRESIDENT: You know, one of the things that we
discovered when we started trying to put this national service
program together is that there were a whole lot of programs like
that, that had been funded at a very limited level, and one
government agency or another, no one had ever put them altogether
and figured out how to get them all to work together. It's one
of the things we're trying to do.
Another thing I want to say about the literacy issue
is that when I was governor of my state, I devoted a lot of time
to trying to dramatically increase the number of people who would
go back to get their GED and get into adult literacy programs.
We had a huge increase. And one of the things that we can now
tell those folks, too, is, if you're involved in any kind of
service program, you can earn credit to go on after high school.
But you can't get any money until you get your GED, which I think
is important. That will sort of reinforce that.
Q
Just to talk about what you had talked about
before, about having states be responsible for certifying your
local agency, through mobilization at Xavier, which is our
community service organization on campus, we have an opportunity
to work with the youth in the community, but also work with local
agencies. I think that's a real positive part of this, is that
you're going to give the local agencies some type of ownership in
this to give the support and not to worry about being controlled
on the federal side and bring it down to the state side. And I
think that's something that needs to be kept in this whole
opportunity. I think you'll find that you'll have a lot more
volunteers that are a lot more open and willing to do whatever it
takes to get this started.
THE PRESIDENT: That's great.
Yes, sir?
Q
I do agree with a lot of what was being said
here today, but my concern is, I've been involved in the
community for the last five or six years. I've been a tutor,
mentor, worked at senior citizen homes, soup kitchens and things
like that. But when I think of community service, the first
thing that I think of is the community. And I think that the
community is the most important thing, aspect of this whole
program that you're looking at here. And I think they ought to
play a leading role in assessing the needs in the government
program.
I think (inaudible) -- 1,000 volunteers into the
community, because I have worked with small landlords
organizations, and I've seen small organizations grow. And my
experience is that grassroots organizations are more effective.
I've seen organizations lose their effectiveness. And I think
that that ought to be a major concern to you is, talk to the
people in your community to find out what they actually need and
not send somebody into the community and assess their needs for
them. Because they know exactly what it is they need.
So I think that they should play a role in
everything that happens. Another thing I'm concerned about is, I
mentioned sending 400,000 volunteers into communities. By
offering students this financial incentive (inaudible) --job
situation, we're graduating this year, and I'm not secure at a
job. And I'm sure -- I mean, you know the situation.
I think that by having this alternative, what we
will see that is that the number of students who aren't genuinely
concerned about improving the conditions that people live in will
be leaning towards this program, this national service program,
just because they can knock out some loans. And there, I think,
also you may lose some effectiveness in the programs.
THE PRESIDENT: You might, but first, you raise two
issues. Let me respond to the first one. I, 100 percent, agree
with you about having to be community-based. That's why we went
out of our way not to create some big new federal bureaucracy,
but to require the states to have community representatives on a
board that can just certify a project in a community that's
plainly working, because otherwise this whole thing is going to
fail. There's no way we know what's good for your home town or
mine or anybody else's, of the federal government.
The second thing is -- that may be right. You may
have more young people -- I hope you do have more young people
coming into the service. It may be that some of them will be
just doing it for the money. But frankly, if you look at, for
example, the GI Bill, there's no evidence that people -- there's
a lot of evidence people enroll in the military service in part
because of the benefits, but no evidence that they do it only
because they think they're going to get money on the back end,
because there's still a -- you have to make the effort, you have
to go to it. And I think -- or one of you alluded to this
earlier -- one of you has already talked. I don't think you can
be in these service programs without being changed yourself. I
think it's pretty hard to go all the way through one and not get
connected to the people you're trying to help. But it may be
a -- I think it's worth the risk to get more people.
There's a -- I may mess up the numbers here, but
there's a man here with me from New Jersey who is very successful
in business named Ray Chambers who has given the rest of his life
to try to help the people in his community and other communities
like his community all over the country -- poor kids growing up
with all kinds of problems. And we were talking about trying to
get more mentors. And he said there's something like 15 million
children who need these mentors and only 100,000, 150,000 of the
mentors out there. So I think you have to take some risk if you
put these incentives out that there will be some people doing it
who may not care that much about it. But, first of all, the
benefit is not so great as to look like you're just giving
somebody something. And secondly, I think most people will
themselves be changed by this -- will be reconnected to our
country.
Go ahead.
Q
I'm a volunteer for Habitat. We help build
homes for families who might not otherwise not have an
opportunity to own a home of their own.
THE PRESIDENT: It's a great program.
Q
Thanks. And I'm also a member of the Delta
Service Corps, and I just want to tell you how important I think
the Delta Service Corps and organizations like this could be to
allow people right out of college or any situation in their life
to do volunteer work.
I graduated school and I knew I wanted to give back,
I knew I wanted to do something. And I just wanted the
opportunity. And, of course, you know, you need to eat. And the
Delta Service Corps, I worked for Habitat for a couple of months
until I ran out of money, and I was about to leave -- not because
I wanted to and not because I couldn't be important for Habitat,
but I didn't have the money. But with the Delta Service Corps,
I'm not putting money in the bank, but it's not that I can live
hand-and-mouth, and I can still work with Habitat.
So it's just been -- and I think my experience is
very representative. There are so many people coming out of
school filled with idealism, and they're saying, you know, put me
to use, give me the opportunity. And I understand the point
raised of people who may take advantage of this. But on the flip
side, so many people who are forced in their jobs that they don't
really believe in because they don't know of opportunities to do
otherwise.
THE PRESIDENT: You know, I'm really particularly
proud of the Delta Service Corps because it grew out of the work
that was done a few years ago by the states of Arkansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi and then Missouri, Kentucky and Illinois
and the parts that are right along the river. And we studied the
conditions of the lower Mississippi Delta, and one of the things
that we urged was that some way be found to bring young people in
here to this area to work. And then the legislators and the
Congressmen from our states sponsored this bill that's really
been very impressive. I'm glad to see all of you here. Walter,
did you have --
Q
Just to elaborate on what he was trying to say.
The Delta Service Corps, we tried not to just place a warm body
at an agency. What we do is, we do it basically by getting an
application, we interview that person, we try to fit that person
into the site that he's best suited for and to make sure that
both the person and the organization is going to get something
out of this.
We just don't say, well, we've got this person;
we're going to place him here. We want to make sure that that
person is suited for the organization, and he's going to
contribute something to aid in the productivity of that
organization.
And so through the Delta Service Corps, which is
basically a model that is going on now, we've accomplished a lot.
We've proven that civic duty, community -- most of the people
that we have are based in their own community. Myself, I'm from
Little Rock and I work right there in Little Rock at the
Alternative Learning Center. And every day I see kids that grew
up in the same neighborhood and go to the same junior high school
-- they're some of the kids that I went to school with.
And I have friends that are teachers that say that
there should be more of people volunteering to go in and be
mentors toward some of these kids, because we say they're at risk
and they're a lost generation, but I feel like they are just a
misunderstood generation. That if we give more back into the
community, that maybe these kids won't be at a risk anymore and
we can help them out. And through the Delta Service Corps, we're
doing that and we're helping out in a big way through -- we have
a single parenthood scholarship foundation. EDA has a HIPPY
program. We have all kinds of programs that are going on through
the Service Corps that we have participants involved in that are
doings lots of things that are helping out.
I think that the civic duty, as you were saying,
putting somebody in the community that is going to help -- I
sincerely believe in that, and that's what we're trying to do.
Q
I'm one of those college students that have
loans that have accumulated over the years, and that I'll have
loans in the future when I go on to medical school. So that's
why I'm hoping to use my (inaudible) -- but right now I'm -- like
he said, we are involved in a lot of services that help people
right now. And most of the services -- most of the programs or
places or sites in Mississippi are just getting up off the
ground.
Like, I'm involved in an organization called
Daybreak, and it's a day shelter for the homeless. It's been
open for three weeks -- no, three months -- I'm sorry. And right
now we have about four weeks left for the shelter, because we are
-- have been staying in a place that's free, and so we've been
trying to founder another site because of all the trouble that
we're having, because people don't want the homeless in their
areas so they've been trying to run us out. So, mostly, what
we're doing is trying to incorporate programs that we can move
with us when we get ready to move. We don't have a van for
transportation. And a lot of volunteers or whatever use their
own cars to take people places and things like to the Welfare
Department or the Veterans Administration Department -- places
like this.
So most of the staff at Daybreak are from Delta
Service Corps. I am one of three full-timers. And there are
about five or six part-timers. And the guy -- the Director of
Daybreak is always saying if it were not for Delta Service Corps
volunteers, that we really wouldn't have our organization here.
We have such a small staff, we wouldn't be able to stand up on
our feet. Because he is the only person that is getting paid out
of the entire organization. And so a lot of Delta -- because we
are full-time and part-time people, we're really incorporated in
building programs to support Daybreak so that when we leave, the
programs will be able to function without us.
And I think that -- and another thing -- another
point I would like to make about Delta Service Corps is, because
they have different agencies and organizations that they work
with within our organization, we network and we get help from
other programs. I think Paris was asking me about information to
start a transitional house here in New Orleans for the homeless.
And so that's the type of -- I think that this entire thing about
the national service program is going to be really great -- it's
really going to be great for this country. And I just wish that
the Delta Service Corps can spread out across the nation.
THE PRESIDENT: I think it may. And, certainly,
things like it will. I think new organizations will spring up
from the grassroots, just to go back to the point you made about
that, I think that what'll happen is -- what's the most likely
thing that will happen is that there will be communities where
there are people like you, but there's no organization.
And when this thing comes out and young people start
talking about it and thinking about it, it'll probably be much
more likely that in every community in America there will be
groups like this.
You know, when I hear all of you talk, one of the
things that, as you know, I worry about most of the time is how
to find enough jobs for the American people in a world in which
we've had a difficult time in our country creating jobs and other
wealthy countries are having trouble creating jobs. And a lot of
the good things that happen in the economy now -- a lot of you
can do this; most of you probably are proficient with computers
and things like that -- a lot of the things that happen in the
economy now mean that people can do more with fewer workers,
because they have all this technology.
But one of the things that you cannot substitute
people for are the kind of human contacts that you all are
engaged in. I mean, a lot of the people problems of America can
only be solved by people in very small groups, or one on one. So
I think there will be a huge increase in the demand for folks
like you to do what you're doing in the years ahead.
Q
As a student leader, I have noticed that not
only at our university, but across the country, with the economic
system that we're living in, more students are looking forward to
going on to bigger and better jobs and avoiding the community
service and national service sector. I think with this type of
program in place, it will encourage more students to get
involved. (Inaudible.) -- understand what other areas are going
through, but what we as individuals can do to help change that
situation.
THE PRESIDENT: That's a terrific point. I know
we've got to quit in a minute and I want to give you a chance to
talk. But let me say that people say to me, well, can you afford
this program, and what if 250,000 -- what if 500,000, what if a
million young people want to do this? Well, if you think about
it, think what we're paying now for the failures of the present
society.
Think what we're paying now for all the young people
who drop out of school, who have children when they're children,
who get involved in drugs, who wind up in prisons, who can't work
and draw welfare or food stamps or unemployment or who wind up in
a homeless shelters. You think what its cost us now to do that.
We're living in a world where we need every person.
And I agree with you. I think when people like you get out of
college, you get a world-class education in a place like Tulane,
if you can get people like that who still are really aware of
what is going on and who understand the point you made, that
homeless people are just like us.
There are a lot of kids out there in these homeless
shelters. A lot of them can learn and do real well if they're
given a chance. And if they do well -- this is going to affect
you much more than me -- one in 10 Americans now is on food
stamps. Now, you think about what your life is going to be like
when you're my age, you have children getting ready to go to
college if we don't reverse these trends. What's the
unemployment rate in America going to be? What's your tax burden
going to be? What are you going to be paying it for? What's it
going to be like to be in the streets of your country?
This service thing has so much more to do with your
future in a way than with mine. And I think the point you made
in terrific.
I know we've got to quit, but I want to -- go ahead
Q
I just want to say, we have something
(inaudible) -- we're not saying once you get them in, it doesn't
matter how it takes to get them in, it doesn't matter if you pay
them to get them in, drag them in by their -- (inaudible) -- once
they're in and they really get to feel that great feeling that
you get from serving others, then they stay, and they will be
convinced (inaudible) -- the rest of their lives the tremendous
feeling from helping us.
THE PRESIDENT: Good for you.
Q
Thank you for visiting. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much.
(Applause.) You're terrific. I feel a lot better about my
country every time I see young people like you. We're going to
be fine. Thank you.
END
12:25 P.M. CDT
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
N.Y.TIMES:05/01/93
CLINTON PROPOSES
10f2
SERVICE PROGRAM
TO AID STUDENTS
not from taxes
program. The money must be used for
The legislation will include a pro-
education within five years of the serv-
ALSO URGES LENDING
posal to allow graduates to repay tu-
ice work. The Federal government
mon loans at a monthly rate linked to
would also pay 85 percent of the $4.25
their income, thereby reducing de-
minimum wage roughly $6,000 a
6/195/70/
faults and encouraging graduates to
year per person - with state and local
authorities expected to pick up the rest.
take low-paying community service
$10,000 Grants Planned
The states would be responsible for
jobs. The payments would be collected
monitoring the local service organiza-
through the Internal Revenue Service,
tions to prevent fraud, and the National
in Return for 2 Years
Mr. Clinton said, most likely through
Service Corporation would also have
payroll deductions or as part of income
its own inspector general to monitor
tax filings.
the programs. Any program caught in
in Community Jobs
Contrary Opinions
fraud would be removed.
As for the student loan programs,
Administration officials said they
Mr. Clinton proposed two fundamental
were cautiously optimistic that the
changes. The first is the establishment
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
plan would have bipartisan support in
of what IS being called one-stop direct
Congress, but early reaction was
Specialit 10 The New York Times
student loans Student loans are now
mixed.
NEW ORLEANS, April 30 - Presi-
provided by commercial banks at be-
"The President's plan gets two A's
dent Clinton outlined a plan today to
low-market interest rates and guaran-
from me because It makes a college
teed by the Government. When stu-
overhaul the way Americans pay for
education or better job training more
dents default, the Government pays the
college, offering students up to $10,000
affordable and accessible to our young
banks, defaults cost the Government
for college or vocational training in
people and our workers," said Repre-
about $3 billion a year
return for two years of community
sentative William D. Ford, of Michigan,
chairman of the House Education and
Under the new program detailed by
service. In addition, he would change
Labor Committee.
Mr. Clinton today. the Federal Govern-
the student loan program to allow stu-
But Representative Marge Roukema
ment would provide a pool of public
dents to borrow money directly from
of New Jersey, the senior Republican
money for student loans, replacing the
the Government
on Mr. Ford's committee. said the
private capital being provided by com-
Mr. Clinton unverled the aid program
mercial banks. The government would
President "should be concentrating on
grant student loans, with colleges and
- a central promise of his campaign,
reducing the deficit, instead of propos-
vocational schools working as the mid-
with great appeal to middle-class vot-
ing new multibillion-dollar entitlement
dlemen. Mr. Clinton said he would like
ers - to a cheering audience of stu-
programs.'
dents at the University of New Orleans,
The night before his announcement.
to phase in this program, beginning
Mr. Clinton decided to slash the com-
with roughly $500 million in loan capi-
saying that if adopted by Congress, 11
tal for fiscal 1994 and eventually grow-
would "revive America's commitment
pensation for community service from
ing to cover all loans by 1997
a maximum of $13,000 for two years'
to community and make affordable the
The commercial banking industry IS
cost of a college education for every
work to $10,000, in hopes of pre-empting
expected to fight this proposal.
complaints from Republicans about
American."
Mr. Clinton argued that in the long
costs, and to deal with Pentagon con-
run this program would save taxpay-
G.I. Bill of the 90's?
cerns that too much cash would lure
ers money, primarily because the gov-
He said his National Service Trust
young people away from the military
Act would be to the 1990's what the G.I.
which has its own scholarship program
in return for service.
Bill was for the 1950's and the Peace
Mr. Clinton said his proposal, which
Corps was for the 1960's - the place
National Service Plan
is the work of Eli Segal, the director of
"where higher learning goes hand in
the White House national service bu-
$10,000 per student in school
hand with the higher purpose of ad-
reau, had been designed to put as much
grants would be available in
dressing our unmet needs.'
of the bureaucratic burden as possible
If Congress passes the national serv-
on state and local institutions.
return for community work
ice bill this year, Mr. Clinton said, the
Bones of the Program
($5,000 per year of service).
program can start in 1994. The Nation-
It would work as follows: A National
Students would also be paid at
al Service budget calls for $400 million
Service Corporation would be set up by
the Government to allocate National
least the minimum wage, and
in 1994, which would cover about 25,000
community service jobs, rising to $3.4
Service slots to states, which would
receive health care and child
billion a year for 150,000 participants in
allot them to community service
care assistance if needed.
1997.
groups and municipalities.
They would do minimum-wage jobs
The number of a state's slots would
25,000 students would take
in education, the environment, public
be based on population, but the Admin-
part in 1994, working in
safety and human services. On top of
istration hopes to encourage competi-
human services, education,
their wages, about $8,500 a year, they
tion by giving states the opportunity to
the environment and safety.
would get $5,000 a year to repay college
to get more if they come up with cre-
ative ideas. The states would decide
loans or otherwise pay for education
which groups would get slots and the
and training.
National Service Corporation in Wash-
Student Loan Overhaul
Bypassing Banks
ington will simply ratify the choices.
A community service program au-
MONEY would be lent to
The other major component of the
thorized for three slots, for instance,
students directly by the
aid program, to be introduced as a
can make this offer to three people
Government.
separate bill, is direct student loans
ages 17 years or older: If they will
from the Federal Government. Such
work for the minimum wage of $4.25 an
REPAYMENT would be based
loans are now guaranteed by the Gov-
hour for one year, the national service
on a percentage of a worker's
ernment but made by banks, which
trust fund will provide up to $5,000
toward their tuition, room and board.
income. Those with lower-
earn a profit on the interest. The Presi-
That money, if used for tuition pay-
income jobs would have
dent said direct aid would eliminate
bank profits, making loans available at
ments, would be paid by the Govern-
longer to pay.
lower rates.
ment directly to the college of the stu-
dent's choice; money for loan repay-
In 1992, banks made $13.6 billion in
WAGE WITHHOLDING might be
ment for former students would be
federally insured student loans. Ad-
used by the Internal Revenue
made directly to the bank.
ministration officials estimate that de-
Service to enforce loan
Anyone could volunteer for national
mand for such loans could rise to $20
service and receive the grants regard-
collection.
billion to $25 billion a year after five
less of family income. If a volunteer
years. The Government would raise
works for two years, the government
the money it lends in the bond market,
would pay $10,000 toward his educa-
tion, the maximum available under the
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
N.Y.TIMES:05/01/93
The National Service Plan
20f.2
Who is eligible?
High school graduates and those with a
General Equivalency Diploma, 17 or older, can
qualify for school grants in return for community service
How long will participants serve?
At least one year of full-time service.
How much are the awards worth?
Awards of $5,000 will be paid for each year of service; students can
choose one or two years. The money could be used to repay
college loans, or to pay for other education or training. Students
would also receive at least minimum-wage stipends, along with
health care and child care assistance If needed.
What kinds of jobs will be available?
Service will be in four broad areas. Here are examples:
Education: Assisting teachers in Head Start or in classrooms.
The Environment: Working on recycling or conservation projects.
Human services: Providing care to homebound elderly. Helping to
build housing for the homeless.
Public safety: Teaching drug education seminars. Serving as a
community service officer with a police department.
ernment will no longer have to extend a
which the Government would provide
subsidy to commercial banks to keep
all students with the opportunity to pay
the loans below market rate, because
back their student loans as a percent-
bank profits will be taken out of the
age of their income over time; the less
equation and because the Government
the graduate makes, the more time he
can borrow money for student loans
has to pay off the loan. The value of this
more cheaply than banks can. The loan
program, he said, is that graduates,
program is intended to pay for itself.
freed from the pressure of large loan
In the 1991-92 school year, annual
payments, would be encouraged 10 take
costs - tuition, room, board, books and
low-paying public service jobs.
expenses - at four-year public institu-
Mr Clinton directed the Secretaries
tions averaged $7,584. according to the
of the Treasury and Education to come
College Board, while the costs of four-
up with a plan for I.R.S collection of
year private institutions averaged
student loans, through wage withhold-
$16,292
ings or some other means, to reduce
The last program Mr. Clinton un-
defaults and simplify the system for
veiled IS called Excel Accounts. under
borrowers.
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
WASH.POST:05/01/93
Clinton Presents National Service Plan
Lobbying by Veterans Alters Program to Help Students Pay for College
By Ruth Marcus
Washington Statt Writer
NEW ORLEANS, April 30-
President Clinton today proposed a
or after college or other post-high school educa-
drafting the program and believed that the
national service program to help
tion.
The veterans made their case at a two-hour
$13,000 package they were planning was less than
people pay for their college costs,
the total amount available to veterans for educa-
making last-minute reductions in
White House meeting Wednesday afternoon with
tion, about $14,000. But veterans groups said the
the plan to avert an outcry by vet-
top White House officials, including personnel
comparison was not fair because veterans must
erans groups and to secure support
director Bruce Lindsey, arguing that it was un-
from congressional Republicans.
fair to provide better benefits to those who took
serve three years in the military to be eligible for
"National service will mark the
that amount. While some veterans groups said yes-
community-service jobs than to those who vol-
terday that the scaled-back program was accept-
start of a new era for America in
unteer for potentially dangerous military service.
which every citizen
able, Larry Rivers, head of the Veterans of Foreign
can become
"We definitely told them that if the program that
Wars, said, "my reaction is, that's not fair," be-
an agent of change, armed with the
was on the table two days ago was going to the
cause he calculated that veterans would receive
Hill, it would incur opposition," said John Heilman,
only $4,400 for their first year of service.
knowledge and experience that a
legislative director for the Disabled American Vet-
Clinton's allies on the Democratic Leadership
college education brings," Clinton
erans, who attended the meeting along with rep-
Council, meeting here, expressed disappointment
told students and community-ser-
resentatives of groups including the American Le-
on the decision to scale down from the
vice organizers at the University of
gion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. But White
$10,000-per-year program that they had recom-
New Orleans.
House efficials "stated that the president was pret-
ended. "We set it quite deliberately with the real
During last year's campaign,
ty committed to the $6,500 figure," Heilman said.
costs of going to college in mind," said Will Mar-
Clinton envisioned a program that
Thursday night, underscoring the veterans'
shall, president of a DLC think tank. "I worry that
would provide payments of $20,000
case, Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery (D-Miss.),
$5,000 may not seem like a sufficient return on a
to students in return for two years
chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Commit-
year of work to some."
of community service in schools,
tee and the leading champion of veterans' inter-
According to the College Board, the 1992-93
nursing homes, environmental pro-
ests in Congress, met again with Lindsey and
average cost of tuition, fees, room and board at a
jects, public safety programs and
other senior officials.
four-year public college was $5,841, and
other efforts. In the past few weeks
1 wanted to help them avoid a big problem."
$15,073 at a private institution.
of the administration's planning for
Montomgery said today. Montgomery-noting
Students seeking grants under the plan would
the ambitious new program. the
that he had raised concerns about the veterans
have to work at minimum-age public service jobs.
issue a month ago and had not heard back from
In addition to their wages, they would be eligible
figure was scaled back to $13,000,
the White House-said he wanted a one-year.
for $5,000 a year to pay higher education ex-
or $6,500 for each year of service.
$5,000 benefit and that Clinton tracked him
penses
But veterans groups were out-
down at a restaurant Thursday night to propose
Clinton's plan would also provide lower interest
raged that such a plan would pro-
a package of $5,000 annually for two years.
rates for college loans by having students borrow
vide more generous benefits than
Montgomery said he called the White House this
directly from the federal government rather than
those available under the GI bill.
morning to say that was acceptable.
go through private banks. And it would allow a bor-
and they mounted an effort to have
Although the episode offered a vivid demonstra-
rower to set up a repayment schedule based on his
the benefits trimmed further. The
tion of the clout of veterans groups, White House
or her income, to encourage graduates who want
package announced today provides
officials said the last-minute change was also made
to take lower-paying public service jobs.
for loan forgiveness of up to
to garner support from other members of Con-
"Take a student torn, for example, between pur-
$10,000-$5,000 a year-for
gress who had expressed concern that the $13,000
suing a career in teaching and corporate law." Clin-
payment was too generous. Rep. Dave McCurdy
ton said yesterday. "This student now can at least
those who sign up for the commu-
nity-service program. either before
(D-Okla.). here with the president, said he had rec-
make the career choice based on what he or she
ommended to White House Chief of Staff Thomas
wants to do, and not the size of the outstanding
student loan
F. "Mack" McLarty that he delay the actual intro-
That is an incredible incentive."
Staff writer Mary Jordan in Washington
duction of the bill until next week in order to gain
contributed to this report.
more time to line up Republican support.
McCurdy said that although he would prefer
higher payments, the White House decision to
scale back the program and delay its introduction
was "a sign that they're a little more politically
astute right now in trying to reach out and see
what's politically feasible."
Eli Segal, director of the national service pro-
gram, said he believed the scaled-back program
would still attract volunteers and would fulfill the
president's campaign commitment to provide
access to a college education for anyone who
wants one. "If anything, we're anxious that the
figures we've been talking about may not fulfill
demand," Segal said. The administration had es-
timated having 25,000 young people participate
in the program during its first year and that it
would expand to as many as 150,000.
White House officials said that they had been
mindful of the veterans issue since they began
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
C.TRIBUNE:05/01/93
School loan
plans going
to Congress
By Carol Jouzaitis
70,195
Chicago Tribune
NEW ORLEANS-Punctuating
his first 100 days in office by
planning process, financial awards
The shift to Treasury borrowing
moving ahead with one of his most
that could be earned through na-
would save $4.3 billion in year in
popular campaign proposals, Presi-
tional service have been shrinking.
bank fees and administration costs,
dent Clinton visited a state univer-
The administration's bill will pro-
White House officials said.
sity here to unveil details of two
pose annual loan forgiveness of
While banking industry officials
programs designed to make college
$5,000. Youths could participate
oppose the shift, the administration
more affordable.
for up to two years, which means
officials said banks won't be cut
One would create a national ser-
each participant could earn a maxi-
out of college loans. Campuses that
vice corps. scaled back in size from
mum of $10,000 in loan for-
choose not to originate loans using
what he pledged during the cam-
giveness, half as much as Clinton
federal funds could contract with
paign, to enable students to work
aides envisioned during the cam-
banks to administer their pro-
off their college loans with commu-
paign.
grams.
nity service. The other would re-
Administration officials said that
vamp the $12 billion-a-year federal-
The administration also proposed
by reducing the financial benefits,
giving the Internal Revenue Service
1y guaranteed student loan
the program could be expanded to
authority to collect loan payments
program.
include more students.
through wage withholding, a step it
Clinton said he would send to
Sensitive to criticism that the na-
hopes will reduce loan defaults.
Congress next week measures to
tional service corps would be ex-
National service would require a
enact the two programs.
pensive and might not be large
$100 million outlay in 1994, White
Through a national service initia-
enough to meet demand, Clinton
House officials said. That would
tive, which he has referred to as a
also proposed a separate program
grow to $3 billion in 1997.
domestic Peace Corps, Clinton said
that intended to make it easier for
The program relies heavily on
that "we can literally open a new
graduates to repay their debts.
world to a new generation of
local support and will require
That program would adjust grad-
Americans. where higher learning
matching funds from community
uates loan payments to fit their in
groups, which would create service
goes hand-in-hand with the higher
come levels. Clinton said it would
jobs based on local needs. White
purpose of addressing our unmet
case the financial burden on those
House officials said they will urge
needs."
who borrow substantial amounts of
communities to focus jobs in four
Later, in a session with reporters.
money to finance their educations
areas they consider priority needs:
Clinton played down criticism of
but choose relatively low-paying
teaching, health care, environmen-
his impending health-care
careers, such as those in social
tal cleanup and public safety.
proposals by Rep. Dan Rosten-
work or the arts.
kowski (D-III.), saying the House
Community groups also will be
Ways and Means Committee chair-
Thirdly, Clinton proposed a
required to fund a portion of par-
man appeared to have "a high level
major shift in the source of funds
ticipants' living stipends, which
of confidence in what we were
loaned to students under federally
would be paid separately from loan
doing."
guaranteed programs. College loans
forgiveness. The federal govern-
Clinton's college loan initiative
would be funded through federal
ment would fund 75 percent of the
was a priority for aides seeking to
borrowing rather than with private
stipends. based on the minmum
counter public opinion that the
capital supplied by banks.
wage. Community groups would be
president hasn't yet delivered on
required to come up with the re-
many campaign promises.
maining 25 percent. If they could
But the measures will be handed
raise the money, they would be
to a Congress that is becoming
permitted to pay larger stipends.
concerned about legislative over-
up to twice minimum wage rate.
load, as it considers Clinton's
After speaking to students at the
budget plan and other administra-
University of New Orleans, Clinton
tion bills expected soon on refor-
met with reporters and responded
ming campaign finance and health
to Rostenkowski's criticism of the
care.
administration's health-care pack-
Clinton's proposed national ser-
age as "the domestic equivalent of
vice program was significantly
Star Wars"-meaning that it was
more modest in size and financial
too costly and complicated.
benefits than he suggested during
the campaign. As a candidate,
Clinton said Rostenkowski never
Clinton had promised a program
has expressed such criticisms to
that would allow any graduate to
him personally.
work off his or her college loans.
The powerful chairman of the
Fleshing out the details of legisla-
House Ways and Means Commit-
tion that will be presented to Con-
tee visited the White House twice
gress next week, Clinton proposed
last week after publicly lobbing the
a service corps that would begin
criticisms during a speech to a
this fall with 25,000 students and
group of health-care professionals
grow to 150,000 or more in the
and reporters.
1997-98 school year. It would be
"He seemed to me, the last time
open to students from low-income
I talked to him, to have a high
as well as affluent families, al-
level of confidence in what we were
though local communities could
doing," Clinton said.
tailor programs to disadvantaged
When Hillary Rodham Clinton
youths.
and others involved in the health
Throughout the White House
care task force spoke with Rosten-
kowksi and "explained what they
were thinking about, he seemed
very supportive," Clinton said.
"He has to carry a lot of tough
stuff out of the House Ways and
Means Committee," Clinton said,
referring to the committee's juris-
diction over his budget plan and
forthcoming health package.
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
N.Y.TIMES:05/02/93
Student Loans: a Longtime Irritation
70/195
By WILLIAM CELIS 3d
A New Way to Borrow
Speciality The York times
WASHINGTON, May I For years,
Direct Lending Proposal
college and university officials, par-
2. THE INSTITUTION
ents and students have complained
1. THE
would determine the
about the system of Federal student
STUDENT
level of aid
aid: a confusing welter of programs
would apply
MONEY would come
that can leave students indebted for
for aid.
from the Education
years and that lose billions of dollars
Department.
each year in defaulted loans.
"The current system of Federal stu-
Current Loan
dent loans IS altogether too complex,
cumbersome and costly," said Eric S.
Programs
2.
Godfrey, assistant vice president for
THE
student affairs at the University of
INSTITUTION
Washington in Seattle. "It is a program
whose time has passed.
determines the
Now President Clinton has outlined a
1. THE STUDENT
level of aid, then
3. THE LENDER
plan to redesign and enhance Federal
applies for aid at a
applies to a lender.
approves the loan
student loan programs that IS - on
college or university.
and sends it to a
paper at least a simpler, cheaper
and more generous approach. The
guarantee agency,
plan, which he unveiled on Friday at
which underwrites it
the University of New Orleans, would
5. FINALLY,
in event of default.
ease repayment requirements to some
the institution
students and would lend money direct-
gives the
4. THE LOAN
ly to all students from the Federal
money to the
goes back to the bank, which
Government through their colleges.
student.
releases money to the institution.
'An Incentive for Me'
And students could tap another f1-
The New York Times
nancial source previously unavailable
Under the President's proposed Na-
Financial aid for
this will work," said Lawrence A.
tional program, a student could
Hough, president and chief executive
receive as much as $5,000 a year for
officer of Salhe Mae, whose shares are
two years toward college, trade school.
college is called
traded on the New York Stock Ex-
job-training expenses or to pay down
change He said that colleges and uni-
existing student loans. The total of
$10,000 would be in addition to wages of
too complex and
versities do not have the expertise to
handle the loans and that Government
about $8,500 eat h year
cumbersome.
should have continued its prior pro-
"This would be an incentive for me
gram on direct lending longer before
said Julie Greaves, a 22-year-old junior
trying a full fledged version.
at the University of Cincinnati, who 15
But other who would be involved 11
majoring in health-care administra-
ment administration at George Wash-
the program that the concerns can
non TI think the benefits would out-
ington University here. "Banks know
be handed. While students would con-
weigh the disadvantages, especially
how 10 lend money. and generally uni-
unue to complete financial aid forms
since I have $12,000 in student loans
versities are not in that business.
and colleges and universities would
and probably won't find a job in my
Colleen Hillmever, director of tinan-
determine the level of aid, the insurio-
major
cial and at the University of Denver,
tions would receive the aid directly
In proposing programs, which are
said "We are talking about big bucks
from the Education Department The
expected to be introduced as two sepa-
here So it's really important that We
department would collect the loans or
rate bills in Congress next week, Presi-
get II right AI the moment, I'm taking
hire private contractors to perform the
dent Clinton raised an assortment of
a Very middle-of-the-road approach."
task
concerns about National Service and
In an attempt to calm pittery Iman-
The program would begin modestly
even more apprehension about direct
cral and officials, Education Depart-
with just 4 percent of all new loans
lending. Some college and community
ment office said colleges and univer-
extended directly to students III the
service officials doubt that the Nation-
sities would not have to participate
1994-95 academic year. By the second
al Service program would be able to
Indeed, the officials estimated that a
year, direct lending would be expected
gear up quickly enough to accommo-
third of colleges and universities would
to account for 25 percent of all new
date the 25,000 students who would be
refuse to participate. In these cases,
loans and 60 percent in the third year.
expected to participate in the 1994-1995
the officials said, they would contract
with full implementation the next.
school year.
with banks and other lenders to pro-
The President's proposal would case
Acknowledging that many details of
vide the services As an incentive for
loan repayment schedules for students.
the plan remain sketchy, Education
colleges and universities 10 take part,
It would also allow students to repay
Department officials said a variety of
they would be paid a small fee for each
loans at a rate that would be based on
community-based service programs in
loan.
their income, the first time such a
education, health care, the environ-
But some universities welcomed the
feature would be applied to Federal
ment and other forms of public service
idea We are enthusiastic supporters
loans. Part of the payoff, the President
already exist and could be brought
of direct lending," said Tom Butts, the
believes, would be to trim the amount
together under a National Service
University of Michigan's associate vice
of defaulted student loans, which now
board and state commissions, as pro-
president for governmental affairs.
total $15.8 billion.
posed by the President.
"We believe that it's a good deal for
"This is something I would consider
students and a good deal for the tax-
doing," said Carl Holcombe, a 26-year-
payers. Reform of the student loan
old communications major at San
programs is long overdue."
Francisco State University. "If the
The debate, however, is more than
Government helped you go to college,
just whether institutions would be able
then giving a year or two of your time
to manage direct lending. There is con-
is the least you could do."
siderable debate over any savings, one
Eye on 1997 for Full Plan
of the central underpinnings of the
Government's argument to revamp the
As many as 100,000 students would
loan programs.
participate in the second year, Educa-
The Government estimates it would
tion Department officials said, with the
save $4.3 billion over five years under
program fully implemented by 1997.
the direct lending portion of the pro-
Officials had no estimate of how many
gram, beginning in the 1994-95 academ-
students might taking part at that
ic year. But an analysis of the plan for
time.
the U.S.A. Group Inc., a financial serv-
Mr. Clinton's proposal for direct
ices company, said the Clinton pro-
lending to students by the Government,
posal would actually lose $13 million
which is currently being tested by the
over that period.
Education Department on a limited
How the same proposal could result
basis, has generated much opposition
in two very different conclusions un-
from banks, savings and loans and
derscores the high stakes involved:
other lenders. They would be eliminat-
control of a multibilhon-dollar-a-year
ed from the student loan business.
industry. One of the biggest partici-
And the plan has drawn mixed re-
pants IS the Student Loan Marketing
views from colleges and universities,
Association, or Sallie Mae, a congres-
which assert they would be burdened
sionally chartered agency that serv-
by a program they are not prepared to
ices $24 billion, or a third, of the $64 1
handle
billion of the Government's outstand-
"We are not a bank," said Fred
ing student loans
Steeel director of enrollment
lot
N.Y.TIMES:05/02/93
Peace Corps Workers: Older and Businesslike
many of the volunteers mg spec ral-
stay on bring invaluable experience 10
graduating high school or going to col-
ized degrees ID helds like hydrogeo-
their assignments. The older volunteer
lege."
195
logy along with a decade or more of
has proven to be a rich investment for
While a large number of volunteers
exper to share with the people in
host countries in Eastern Europe as
are still young men and women in their
Specialio The New York Times
"In the 60's we were looking for
help in learning how to get started The
their host countries
well as West Africa, he said.
20's, the demand for technical skills
more generalist volunteers,' said Kris-
former Iv Communist countries opened
Daniel Jenkins served from 1976 to
WASHINGTON, May I - Two years
Some people, like J. Arthur Rodger,
has made sharp minds as valuable as
ago. at age 63, Jane Becker joined the
ten Wennberg, a Peace Corps spokes-
their doors to the Peace Corps. and "as
1978 in Nepal. where he worked on a
stay because they want to see the long-
strong backs. And that has proven an
Peace Corps and went to Poland. She
woman in Washington. "These were
these countries have become more and
water project Upon returning home.
term effects of their efforts. Mr. Rodg-
advantage to older volunteers like
was not the oldest volunteer.
the people right out of liberal arts
Dr. Jenkins enrolled ID graduate school
more developed. they have requested a
er began his Peace Corps journey in
Dorothy Weller and Helen Suchara,
colleges.
and studied hydrogeology. Eleven
Liberia in West Africa when he was 22
As the Peace Corps expands the
different kind of volunteer." Ms. Wenn-
both in their 70's and now living in
years later he required the Peace
Today. Ms. Wennberg said. the situa-
and ended it in Lesotho in southern
range and depth of its services to
berg said.
Detroit, who worked in Ms. Becker's
Corps to lead a village water project on
Africa at age 41.
emerging countries, newly required
tion is different. "The volunteer we
Ms Becker was sur a person. 'I
group in Poland.
a entral Pacific island.
Mr. Rodger, who remained in one
skills are reshaping the image of the
sent over to Russia in 1990 had an
had dabbled in real estate, had start-
Ms. Becker, now 65, remembers the
sort of knew how to roll with 11 this
traditional volunteer. With the demand
average age of 41," she said. "They
African village for seven years, said he
day she read that the Peace Corps was
ed my own small business," she said
time." he said "The first time you
felt strongly about continuity through-
for entrepreneurial experience in East-
requested volunteers with at least five
going to Poland. "It was all ] thought
never made any money doing 11. but
don't know what they're saving, and
out the Peace Corps experience. "Some
ern Europe and an increasing number
years business experience or an
about,' she said. "I thought 'I would
I had business experience."
your brain IS trying desperately 10 un-
of the children I taught in junior high
like to make a difference if I can, and if
of volunteers deciding to stay in, the
M.B.A."
In part ause of the need for spe
derstand the language The second
came back and said, 'I'm going to
I can't, I would like to have a wonderful
profile of a typical Peace Corps worker
The fall of Communism in Eastern
cialized skills, INC reasing numbers of
time III the Pacific - I could use
college. and you were a part of that,'
adventure.' And I did both."
This material may protected by (Title 17. S.
has changed. In 1963 the average age of
Europe opened new opportunities for
veteran volunteers close 10 15 per-
what I had before.'
he said. "A high point for me was
Peace Corps volunteers was 22. Now
entrepreneurs and small businessmen
cent are returning to serve another
John P. Hogan. acting director of the
seeing these kids show off for me -
the average volunteer IS 30.
in Ukraine and Russia, but they needed
tour of duty In their second terms.
Peace Corps. said the volunteers whol
that they had gotten a good job, were
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
WASH.POST:05/02/93
Clinton Pushes Public Service Plan
Program Would Be Tied to Federal Assistance for College Costs
Associated Press
6/19/10
The repayment schedule would
young people to work in 1994 in the
President Clinton called on
be based on income, easing the bur-
fields of education, the environ-
Americans today to support a pro-
den for students with low-paying
ment, public safety and human ser-
gram of national service to help
jobs. The administration believes
vices.
roung people pay for a college ed-
this would encourage more stu-
"Through national service we can
lication.
dents to consider doing community
open a new world to a new gener-
"I am determined to open the
service jobs.
ation," Clinton said.
The Internal Revenue Service
loors of college education and give
"With national service Americans
mericans an opportunity to pay for
might act as the collection agency
can help themselves by helping
for all federal student loans to en-
each other," he said. "It's the best
through a program of national
sure repayment.
investment we could ever make in
service," Clinton said in his weekly
Second, education grants-or
our future."
radio address. "I am determined we
loan forgiveness-ol $5,000 a year
In the GOP response to the pres-
won't ever lose the promise of
for up to two years would be avail-
ident's address, Sen. Phil Gramm
American life."
able to students who sign up for the
(Tex.) did not comment directly on
Clinton is proposing a two-
community service program, either
the president's call for national ser-
dronged program of direct govern-
before or after college or some oth-
vice. But he did seek to place the
ment loans and assistance with ed-
er post-high school education pro-
blame for a recent slowdown in eco-
ucational costs for students who do
gram.
nomic growth on Clinton's first 100
public service.
The initiative, one of Clinton's
days in office.
First, student loans would be ob-
major campaign promises, is envi-
"I think the reason IS pretty sim-
tained directly from the federal
sioned to grow by 1997 into a $3
ple: All these new taxes, all this
government, forgoing private lend-
billion program involving 150,000
new spending, all these new deficits
ers and resulting in lower interest
young people.
scare the economy to death,"
Yates for borrowers.
Initially, it would put 25,000
Gramm said.
,
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
WASH.POST:05/02/93
National Service: The Proposal
T
HERE'S BEEN a strong and steady windup
guarding against patronage and corruption to
to the national service program that Presi-
ensuring that the activities help not just the
dent Clinton is now ready to pitch to
Congress. Mr. Clinton has spoken often, both
participants but the recipients and the greater
during the campaign and since, of a civilian
community. National service, after all, is primari-
volunteer corps in the nation's schools, clinics,
ly about helping the served.
parks and police stations. But until last week the
The mostly young people who opt for service
idea achieved most of its velocity as a symbol-of
would receive an award-$5,000 a year with a
responsibility, community and democracy. With
two-year maximum. This amount, based on the
his remarks in New Orleans Friday and the
average indebtedness of undergraduates these
release of a legislative outline, the national ser-
days and roughly commensurate with veterans'
vice program acquires substantive as well as
educational benefits, is intended to help students
symbolic import. This is a serious and plausible
pay off their loans or to pay for further training.
proposal. The obstacles, however, are many,
The money-a new subsidy, in effect-is adver-
from the Hill on down.
tised as a means toward greater educational
The administration wants to establish a Corpo-
opportunity, like the GI Bill. But that's mislead-
ration for National Service, a quasi-governmental
ing. National service won't really alter the overall
body that would combine the existing agencies
student aid equation. Five million students re-
dealing with volunteer service-ACTION, which
ceive loans to finance their college educations,
includes Vista, and the Commission on National
and many of them graduate more than $5,000 in
and Community Service, for instance-as well as
debt. This program would help only a very small
administer a new trust for the awards and sti-
proportion of the college-goers (which is why the
pends that would go to the 150,000 recruits
administration pairs this program with other
eventually expected. The corporate model IS
proposals intended to reform student aid, such as
useful; it silences those who would balk at the
creation of yet another federal bureaucracy while
income-contingent repayment).
permitting the solicitation of private funds.
Still, national service remains an appealing
Many of the service groups that would seck
option. Mr. Clinton is being faulted for starting
certification and funding from the national board
small. But if anything the administration and
already exist. They range from nonprofit neigh-
Congress begin with too much. One hundred and
borhood-improvement groups, such as the much-
fifty thousand people and a budget of $7.4 billion
touted City Year in Boston, to Head Start, the
over four years is a major investment-one that
federal government's preschool program for im-
will compete mightily for funds along with such
poverished children. Other groups undoubtedly
programs as Head Start and, not incidentally,
would come forward. This is meant to be a
grants for needy college students. President
national program nourished and sustained by
Clinton said to his college audience Friday, "We
local roots. The challenges are many-from
need you." First, though, he needs the money.
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
WASH.POST:05/02/93
Roger Landrum
195
Chance of
initiative of their choice. The process is
A Lifetime
already underway; it only needs to be
accelerated. Private foundations such
as Ford, Kellogg. DeWitt Wallace-
Reader's Digest, MacArthur, AT&T,
National service now.
Bonner Foundation, Reebok and others
are already large investors in national
President Clinton's proposal to link
service. So are the state governments
National Service with federal college
of Pennsylvania, California and Minne-
scholarships or loan forgiveness packs a
sota. In addition, the president's pro-
powerful political punch. It evokes mem-
posed National Service Trust Fund-
ories of a GI bill rewarding the young
post-service college scholarships for
men who won World War II with a
those who serve-could be doubled or
college education-a venture that also
tripled by private contributions. If ev+
revitalized American higher education.
ery college and university in the nation
For younger voters and their parents, a
engages in the process by establishing
National Service Trust Fund is also the
its own National Service Trust Funds
modern political equivalent of "a chicken
to augment the federal scholarships,
in every pot."
many more young people will be able
But with the size of the federal deficit
to gain educational assistance through
and competing priorities for human re-
joining service programs.
sources investment, skeptics say that
The president will have an opportu-
fulfilling a pledge to reward civic service
nity to pioneer a set of innovative
with federal education assistance IS im-
federal investment strategies for build-
possible beyond a token effort. Not SO. A
ing the new national service, rather
transforming social initiative can be
than creating a government monopoly.
forged of a new kind of national service
They should include:
vision comes to the fore.
A federalism strategy of investing on
The good news for the president is
a competitive basis in state plans. This
that the new national service has been
approach is already underway on a mod-
taking shape in the nonprofit sector for
est scale through the Commission en
a decade. The scale is still small, but
National and Community Service, up
most of the pieces are in place. A new
this year for reauthorization. The com-
mission should be continued. but it is
model of national service that will last
for generations, far beyond the Clinton
essential that this not be the only invest-
admunistration, cannot be built over-
ment strategy. because this would place
night, nor can it carry only the Clinton
all leadership and direction III the hands
imprint; it must be bipartisan. And to
of government agencies.
capitalize on the strengths of our SOCI-
A franchise strategy of investing in
ety. it needs to be a joint venture of
generic youth service models developed
corporations. foundations, educational
and tested by entrepreneurs. The goal
institutions. the nonprofit sector and
would be to replicate them nationally.
government at all levels.
A hub strategy of investing large
One thing is certain: The new national
block grants in national and regional
service cannot be created with a stroke of
nonprofits with important zones of ex-
the presidential pen or constructed with
pertise and excellence, which are es-
old habits of federal action.
sential for improving and ensuring the
quality of the new national service.
National service used to be defined as
These areas include evaluation re-
a monolithic and one-dimensional federal
search, leadership development, stra-
program following the models of mili-
tegic planning and management, repli-
tary forces, Franklin D. Roosevelt's Ci-
cation, communications and promotion,
vilian Conservation Corps, and John F.
and technical assistance. The Clinton
Kennedy's Peace Corps. These pro-
administration should take the step of
grams were built on the guiding assump-
farming out venture capital to the non-
tion that these were activities to be
governmental leadership that orga-
undertaken by young people roughly 18
nized and led the movement before
to 25 years of age in projects funded and
government became a partner.
administered by government on a full-
Other investment strategies are feasi-
time basis during a period spent away
ble, but the key is to build the new
from civilian life.
national service with much broader own-
The new national service is based on a
ership, diversity and innovation. Presi-
different set of assumptions. Young par-
dent Clinton deserves great credit for
ticipants represent a wider range of ages
moving ahead so boldly, but he should
and come from diverse backgrounds.
not be expected to carry the entire
Some are serving full-time, others part-
responsibility for building national ser-
time. There are many successful pro-
vice. This is the chance of a lifetime to
gram models, organized by different
give a great many young people more
kinds of institutions and supported by
active and positive roles in our society.
different funding sources, public and pri-
Now is the time for all of the country's
vate. The operations are decentralized,
major institutions to join in creating the
and the leadership is primarily nongov-
new national service.
ernmental. The next steps forward must
build on this foundation.
The writer is executive director,
The president needs to help lay out
Youth Service America. a national
strategies that persuade corporations,
policy, training and public
foundations. state and local govern-
education organization.
ments and individuals to at least match
the federal government's outlays in
direct support of a national service
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17. U.S. Code)
05/02/93
Veterans of the '30s program took to the
woods yesterday to start the ball rolling.
Reviving the spirit
of civilian corps
By Marc Duvoisin
forestation projects across the coun-
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
try
As a teenager during the Depres-
Eligibility was limited to young
sion, Harvey A. "Mac" McGowan
single men with at least one relative
stacked lumber at a furniture factory
on the welfare rolls. Corpsmen were
in Morgantown, W.Va, for $1 a day.
paid $30 a month and were required
When the work ran out. he heeded a
to send $22 home to their families.
banner on the town hall and signed
They lived in primitive barracks run
up for the Civilian Conservation
by the army and learned landscap-
Corps (CCC), a New Deal public-
ing. carpentry and other trades.
works program.
"It took us off the streets." said Ed
McGowan. then 16. figured he'd be
Mokan, 72, a retired long-haul truck-
assigned to a work camp nearby.
er, "and we want to start 11 again."
Three days later. he was in Yellow-
On Friday. President Clinton pro-
stone National Park in Wyoming.
posed a national service program
During SIX months III the wilder-
that would let students repay college
ness, he tended a tree nursery and
loans by working III schools. nursing
worked in the camp infirmary. He
homes, police departments and other
learned first and and minor surgery
community services.
from the camp physician and was
CCC veterans formed a national
soon launched on a career as a medi-
association in the late 70s In Janu-
cal corpsman in the Navy.
ary, a group of Philadelphia-area
McGowan, 68. cannot say enough
alumni formed their own chapter.
about what the experience did for
with McGowan as president and be.
him. And he IS convinced, thor-
gan searching for ways to get young
oughly convinced that the CCC
people involved in the kind of work
should be brought back to banish
they did.
unemployment and despair from U.S.
They got in touch with Bob Grow.
cities. What worked then, he says,
manager of the Northeast District of
can work now
the Fairmount Park Commission.
And SO yesterday, McGowan and a
which includes Pennypack Park.
handful of other veterans of the '30s
Grow brings Boy Scouts and other
jobs program marched into the
volunteers into the park each spring
woods off Verree Road in Northeast
to plant saplings.
Philadelphia to plant trees with a
This year, impressed by
half dozen Boy Scouts -- and make a
McGowan's enthusiasm. he ordered
small start on reviving the spirit, it
more young trees than usual - 500
not the sweep and scale, of the CCC.
for Pennypack alone, compared with
Beneath a canopy of giant poplars
a normal purchase of 200 for all of
in Pennypack Park, these graying
the northeast section of Fairmount
children of the Depression grew mis-
Park.
ty-eyed as they traded stories about
The scouts and the elderly corps-
the backbreaking work they did as
man went to worked yesterday III
an army of the unemployed - string-
soft, dappled sunlight, planting
ing phone lines, digging wells, build
white oaks. red maples, birches and
ing bridges and, above all, planting
hemlocks encased in 5-foot-high plas-
trees.
tic tubes to prevent deer and rabbits
They laughed about the Spartan
from eating them.
barracks. the soggy sandwiches and
"I picture myself when I was doing
the magical camaraderie of the con-
this 60 years ago," Mokan, the retired
servation corps.
trucker, said during a break. He en-
"It gave me a better insight into
rolled in the CCC in 1938 as a teen-
life - meeting people, getting along
ager from the Port Richmond sec-
with people,' said Anthony Bu-
tion. His mother had died when he
cholski, 71, who helped fill gullies in
was 4. He and his sister were living
the Arizona desert for a CCC soil-
on welfare.
conservation project. "All kinds of
In the corps, Mokan worked on a
nationalities, all kinds of religions,
demolition crew in the mountains of
and we all got along."
northern Virginia and then was
The CCC was among the alphabet
shipped to Arizona where he helped
soup of federal employment pro-
fence off tracts of federal grazing
grams established under President
land to stop sheep and cattle ranch-
Franklin D. Roosevelt to help lift the
ers from fighting over it.
country out of the Depression. From
Asked what the experience did for
1933 to 1942, the corps employed 2.5
him, he chuckled ruefully and said,
million people in conservation and
"Saved me from going to jail."
$adv02 Washington Trends, Adv02, 800
`For AMs Sunday, May 2 and thereafter
^Michigan lzllg Education Economist Says More Choices Better for Students
`By LISA ZAGAROLI= Associated Press Writer=
methods President to pay for it, said some Michigan education officials who support
WASHINGTON (AP) The costs of a college education should keep step with
Clinton's national service and student loan proposals.
offers from at least a partial college education in exchange for community service
Clinton on Friday officially announced the National Service Corps, which
its participants.
and their services, students would receive as much as $10, 000 to make safety good on
Volunteering human in the fields of the environment, education, public
college loans.
assistance if they need them.
They also would receive small stipends, and health care and child care
Anything to that can be done to help make that market for school better,
State school are socially beneficial policies, said Byron W. Brown, a Michigan
improve the system for repaying loans, or to help that student stay in
school finance.
University economics professor whose emphasis is on education and
education, he said.
The simple economics of a college education is a reason to get a higher
The rate of return for a college education is still far above the return
you could get on financial investments, Brown said.
paid to earn their degrees, he said.
On average, college graduates would get 17 percent return on what they
The gap between the value of a high school education and a college
education measured by lifestyle also widened over the 1980s, he said.
He pointed to a recent study by two Princeton University economists that
terms of higher wages.
showed a significant relationship between school spending and payoffs in
More students could afford college because the costs would be lower and
they would be able to earn a small wage.
It's another avenue for people to use to help pay back costs of
schooling it didn't have before, Brown said. By allowing people to work
more incentive for them.
off those loans in yet another way, and benefit the country, will provide
Rep. William Ford, D-Mich. and chairman of the House Education and Labor
as well as more affordable.
Committee, said the plan would make college or job training more accessible
The plan would take the best people programs of the 1960s, like the
Peace Corps and its U.S. counterpart Volunteers in Service to America, or
VISTA, and rework them to meet 1990's needs, said the Ypsilanti Democrat.
Rep. Marge Roukema of New Jersey, the senior Republican on Ford's
committee, said Clinton should be concentrating on reducing the deficit,
instead of proposing new multibillion-dollar entitlement programs.
A leader on education in the Senate said he backed the program.
Without question, this will help defray the escalating costs of
college education either through an educational benefit before one enters a
college or as loan forgiveness for those who choose service after
subcommittee. education, said Sen. Claiborne Pell, D-R.I., chairman of a Senate education
Marvin Peterson, director of the Center for Study of Higher and
Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan, said the success of
the program would depend on how it is put together.
I think it depends an awful lot on how those programs are structured,
how they mentored, what people are encouraged to do as a result of their
participation, Peterson
already has raised the ire of bankers.
The other section of Clinton's announcement, the student loan program,
The government would take over the student loan program and eliminate the
need The to borrow from banks, which profit from the interest they charge.
colleges and universities acting as agents.
government would borrow money and lend it to students directly, with
they borrowed from a bank.
Students might pay interest rates a half percentage point lower than if
the time it is fully implemented in 1998.
Ford said the direct lending program would save more than $4 billion by
The money I saved is money needed to provide more education for
students, Ford said. The middlemen who would have received that more
using their fees to educate our young people.
billion in taxpayer money may rant and rave, but I don't have a problem $4 with
Brown said the system also could be more efficient because of the
possibility of linking payment with the tax system.
Under the plan, loan repayments would be based on a percentage of a
worker's income. The Internal Revenue Service might act as a collection
agency through automatic wage withholding.
down, Brown said.
It might not only improve compliance but might make collection costs go
"WhiteHouse-A2-MI-05-03-93 15:41EST<
(via GenDos v516a). -
^PM-MO--School Loans, Bjt, 0390
^President's Loan Program Gets Mixed Reviews
ST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis-area financial aid officials have their
direct about President Bill Clinton's proposal to have the federal government doubts make
college loans to students in return for national community service.
direct government lending.
believes the element of national service should be separated from that of
Dennis J. Martin, financial aid director at Washington University, said he
National service is commendable, he said, and can be effective if it is
properly phased in and continually retuned. But Martin said he had
reservations about the government replacing private bankers to finance
college educations.
There is a question whether the federal government can be more effective
than into the private lenders. The present system has put some $10 to $15 billion
well, Martin said.
the hands of students and, despite some criticisms, has worked quite
mechanism and doesn't replace it, it could add an important option for
If the direct lending program complements the present bank lending
become an unwieldy and ineffectual bureaucracy, he said.
students and parents, Martin said. Otherwise, there is a danger it could
said the Clinton plan raises a lot of questions. 11
Harold A. Deuser, director of financial aid at St. Louis University, also
The present system works even though it gets bumpy at times, 11 he said.
Can the federal government manage such a massive program and do it well?
continue in school?'
Can it manage the huge cash flow that students all over the country need to
Deuser and Martin said many of the questions may be answered by
a federal direct lending pilot program that was authorized under the Higher
Education into Act Congress passed last summer. The program is scheduled to
for effect in the 1994-95 fiscal year. It will substitute the U.S. Treasury go
private banks in advancing funds to a limited number of students for
several federal student loan and grant programs.
the bath water, Deuser said.
Let's see how the pilot program works before we throw out the baby with
On Saturday, Clinton called on Americans to support a program of national
service to help enable young people to pay for their college educations.
He called it the best investment we could ever make in our future.
WWhiteHouse-A2-MO-05-03-93 15:41EST<
(via GenDos v516a). -
^AM-Clinton-Interview, 540
^Clinton Upbeat Despite Critical 100-Day Reviews
`Eds: Note Missouri/Kansas interest
By The Associated Press=
President Clinton vowed Friday to keep fighting for his economic program
effort that killed it.
and sniped at Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole for leading the Republican
Clinton spoke at the University of New Orleans to promote his plan for
national service. Afterward, he met with regional media, including reporters
for The Kansas City Star and The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
There's no longer any doubt about whether we going to reduce the
deficit, Clinton said. The question is how much, how fast, what's best
for the economy?
He had harsh words for Dole, the Kansas Republican behind the filibuster
that derailed Clinton's $16.3 billion economic stimulus package.
Of course Senator Dole can say all taxes are bad, Clinton said. We
tried it their way for 12 years. We listened to their anti-tax rhetoric. They
lowered the taxes on the wealthy, raised them on the middle class, and the
debt went
to $4 trillion.
I can't believe the American people want to try it their way for four
more years.
Clinton said the low rate of U.S. economic growth in the first three
months of 1993 proved Republicans were wrong in sinking his plan. He said
Republicans were out to prove they could best him, and never intended to
compromise.
On other matters, Clinton said he may decide Saturday whether the United
States will use military force to intervene in Bosnia. Clinton said he still
hoped Serbian leaders will agree to peace and such action won't be necessary.
But he said the Serbs had not bargained in good faith so far.
I don't know that I'm optimistic, he said.
Clinton is said by aides to be weighing air strikes against Serbian
fighters, lifting the international arms embargo against Bosnian Muslims to
allow them to arm themselves for defense, and creating havens for Muslims in
territory they still hold.
Some choices might require approval from Congress or the United Nations,
Clinton said. He did not say which.
He called the Bosnian problem the most difficult foreign problem facing
the United States. He said he was aware the situation in the former
Yugoslavia offered a chance the United States could wind up in another
Vietnam-style quagmire.
That's why it's very important that anything we do be clearly defined in
terms of its strategy, in terms of the tactics involved, in terms of what the
limits are, 11 Clinton said.
He restated his commitment not to put U.S. forces on the ground in Bosnia
unless the warring parties reached an agreement and American troops were
needed as part of a U.N. peacekeeping force.
On other issues, Clinton said:
He still plans to introduce a sweeping health-care reform plan in time for
Congress to consider it this year.
Critics like Ross Perot should propose specifics to change things for the
better instead of all this hot air and rhetoric.
The issue of allowing gays in the military was pushed up there by
Republicans'' and others who wanted to take advantage of a controversial
issue. He said he was spending little time on the matter.
WhiteHouse-A2-KS-05-03-93 15:41EST<
(via GenDos v516a)
This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code)
WASH.POST:05/02/93
Roger Landrum
195
Chance of
initiative of their choice. The process is
A Lifetime
already underway; it only needs to be
accelerated. Private foundations such
as Ford, Kellogg, DeWitt Wallace-
Reader's Digest, MacArthur, AT&T,
National service now.
Bonner Foundation, Reebok and others
are already large investors in national
President Clinton's proposal to link
service. So are the state governments
National Service with federal college
of Pennsylvania, California and Minne-
scholarships or loan forgiveness packs a
sota. In addition, the president's pro-
powerful political punch. It evokes mem-
posed National Service Trust Fund-
ories of a GI bill rewarding the young
post-service college scholarships for
men who won World War II with a
those who serve-could be doubled or
college education-a venture that also
tripled by private contributions. If ev²
revitalized American higher education.
ery college and university in the nation
For younger voters and their parents, a
engages in the process by establishing
National Service Trust Fund is also the
its own National Service Trust Funds
modern political equivalent of "a chicken
to augment the federal scholarships,
in every pot."
many more young people will be able
But with the size of the federal deficit
to gain educational assistance through
and competing priorities for human re-
joining service programs.
sources investment. skeptics say that
The president will have an opportu-
fulfilling a pledge to reward civic service
nity to pioneer a set of innovative
with federal education assistance is im-
federal investment strategies for build-
possible beyond a token effort. Not so. A
ing the new national service, rather
transforming social initiative can be
than creating a government monopoly.
forged if a new kind of national service
They should include:
vision comes to the fore.
. A federalism strategy of investing on
a competitive basis in state plans. This
The good news for the president is
that the new national service has been
approach is already underway on a mod-
est scale through the Commission en
taking shape in the nonprofit sector for
National and Community Service, up
a decade. The scale is still small, but
this year for reauthorization. The com-
most of the pieces are in place. A new
mission should be continued, but it is
model of national service that will last
essential that this not be the only invest-
for generations, far beyond the Clinton
ment strategy. because this would place
administration, cannot be built over-
night, nor can it carry only the Clinton
all leadership and direction in the hands
of government agencies.
imprint; it must be bipartisan. And to
capitalize on the strengths of our soci-
A franchise strategy of investing in
ety, it needs to be a joint venture of
generic youth service models developed
corporations, foundations, educational
and tested by entrepreneurs. The goal
institutions, the nonprofit sector and
would be to replicate them nationally.
government at all levels.
A hub strategy of investing large
One thing is certain: The new national
block grants in national and regional
service cannot be created with a stroke of
nonprofits with important zones of ex-
the presidential pen or constructed with
pertise and excellence, which are es-
old habits of federal action.
sential for improving and ensuring the
quality of the new national service.
National service used to be defined as
These areas include evaluation re-
a monolithic and one-dimensional federal
search, leadership development, stra-
program following the models of mili-
tegic planning and management, repli-
tary forces, Franklin D. Roosevelt's Ci-
cation, communications and promotion,
vilian Conservation Corps, and John F.
and technical assistance. The Clinton
Kennedy's Peace Corps. These pro-
administration should take the step of
grams were built on the guiding assump-
farming out venture capital to the non-
tion that these were activities to. be
governmental leadership that orga-
undertaken by young people roughly, 18
nized and led the movement before
to 25 years of age in projects funded and
government became a partner.
administered by government on a full-
Other investment strategies are feasi+
time basis during a period spent away
ble, but the key is to build the new
from civilian life.
national service with much broader own-
The new national service is based on a
ership, diversity and innovation. Presi-
different set of assumptions. Young par-
dent Clinton deserves great credit for
ticipants represent a wider range of ages
moving ahead so boldly, but he should
and come from diverse backgrounds.
not be expected to carry the entire
Some are serving full-time, others part-
responsibility for building national ser-
time. There are many successful pro-
vice. This is the chance of a lifetime to
gram models, organized by different
give a great many young people more
kinds of institutions and supported by
active and positive roles in our society.
different funding sources, public and pri-
Now is the time for all of the country's
vate. The operations are decentralized,
major institutions to join in creating the
and the leadership is primarily nongov-
new national service.
ernmental. The next steps forward must
build on this foundation.
The writer is executive director,
The president needs to help lay out
Youth Service America, a national
strategies that persuade corporations,
policy, training and public
foundations. state and local govern-
education organization.
ments and individuals to at least match
the federal government's outlays in
direct support of a national service
4A . MONDAY, MAY 3. 1993 . USA TODAY
WASHINGTON
A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL
Work-for-scholarship
dropped to $10,000
President Clinton, apparently intent on avoiding new
troubles with Congress, has quickly retreated in an effort to
assure approval of his work-for-scholarships program.
Hours before Clinton was to unveil details of his program
in New Orleans Friday, he lopped the maximum scholar-
ship size by almost 25% after being told his original pro-
gram faced opposition from Republicans and veterans
groups because It was more generous than G.I. benefits.
Clinton's decision surprised even some of his own aides.
His decision to cut the maximum two-year scholarship to
$10,000 from $13,000 came after White House briefing pa-
pers had been published with the higher number. Those
documents were used by USA TODAY in a Friday story.
Under his plan, the grants could be repaid through com-
munity service jobs or with payments based on a percent-
age of future income.
E. J. Dionne Jr.
W.Post 5/4
The Government Albatross
The albatross hanging around the necks
of President Clinton and almost every other
Democrat is called "government." Demo-
crats can't get to where they want to go as
long as voters see government as a synonym
for "waste." This leaves Democrats with two
choices: They can pretend they're as anti-
government as anyone else, or they can try
to change people's minds about government.
Democrats often opt for the most disin-
genuous course. At election time, they rail
against government waste and pledge to be
skinflints. When safely in Congress, they
vote for substantial spending while continu-
ing to pretend that they're anti-government.
As a result, voters only rarely hear the case
for active government and thus decide (not
unreasonably) that the people they are elect-
ing are being dishonest.
This critique, by the way. applies at least
as much to so-called conservative Demo-
crats as to liberals. The liberals are more
likely to be direct in making the case for gov-
ernment-one thinks, as just one example,
of Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin. Clinton al-
so likes to talk about the power of govern-
ment to do good. But many of the moderate-
to-conservative Democrats who scream
loudest about the budget deficit turn out to
be the advocates of big subsidies for farmers,
ranchers and rural electrification and big
foes of cutting the defense budget, the super
collider or the space station.
The strategy of being rhetorically anti-
BY BARRIE MAGUIRE
government and operationally pro-govern-
thing about the economy and health care,
ment may win some elections, but it's not
vored active government but who'd also
among other things, but don't really trust it
sustainable over the long haul-especially if
make government do things differently, see
to get matters right. So they fall back on
you have to govern. This may explain why
to it that the middle class got something out
calls for cutting government down to size.
Sen. Bob Krueger is having trouble in the
of government and shape programs that re-
Defenders of the federal government
special election in Texas. Clinton also suffers
flected its values. To the extent that Clinton
have another problem: The benefits it con-
to the extent that the anti-government mood
abandons new Democrat themes, he is weak-
fers are often invisible or taken for granted.
makes deficit reduction the one and only test
ening the case for government. The paradox
Voters living under even the worst local gov-
of his seriousness for a lot of voters-espe-
is that old-fashioned Democrats who want
ernments can see cops and firemen on the
cially Ross Perot's admirers-and for much
government to do more need Clinton to be an
streets; they know there are parks and li-
of the commentating class. Clinton's pro-
effective new Democrat.
braries and school buildings and teachers;
gram, which also includes a lot of new spend-
most of the time, the garbage gets picked
Thus the importance of his new national
ing, is doomed to fail such a narrow test.
up. Local government failures also feed the
service-student loan initiative. The service
The anti-government constituency is fed
anti-government mood. But at least the ben-
portion is organized in an anti-bureaucratic
by two quite different streams of voters.
efits of local government are tangible.
way to promote activities by non-governmen-
There are the principled conservatives and
Not so those of the federal government:
tal institutions. It makes the point that gov-
libertarians who think government is neces-
Over 60 percent of federal spending goes to
emment should not only hand out booty but
sarily wasteful and oppressive. This view
Social Security, Medicare and other health
also encourage citizens to behave like citizens.
was neatly summarized by David Stockman,
programs, defense and interest on the debt.
The student loan part is about relieving the
Ronald Reagan's first budget director, who
Nothing need be said about the non-bene-
middle class of a big headache-its worries
spoke for "minimalist government-a spare
fits of the interest payments. Defense spend-
about how to send the kids to college.
and stingy creature that offered evenhanded
ing does benefit particular groups, but the
But there will inevitably be large problems
public justice but no more."
link between how much we spend and how
in a new program that's getting started so
Only a minority of the electorate believes
well-defended we feel is pretty obscure.
fast. So it's imperative that those who run the
in this. The anti-government constituency
While slashing the defense budget may make
service agency be prepared to shut down bad
has swelled because of people who would
some people feel less secure, each additional
programs fast and build in ways of detecting
like government to do good things, but have
dollar spent on the military doesn't make
failure early. Nothing SO discredits govern-
lost faith in its capacity to do so. Their am-
people experience a dollar more of security.
ment as a program than begins in idealism
bivalence is expressed in the fact that they
As for Social Security and Medicare, most
and ends in scandal.
often blame government for the troubles fac-
of the retired will argue that they paid in for
Democrats may complain that the case for
ing the economy. That shows they'd actually
years and are thus entitled to the benefits.
government is hard to make in the current
like government to "fix" the economy-
Government gets no credit, only blame if
climate. Government's job, after all, is to
which is asking government to do a lot. But
benefits are trimmed.
when government fails to do that, they turn
take care of the problems the market leaves
Clinton's "new Democrat" message arose
on it with a vengeance.
behind-the problems that are hardest to
in direct response to the sense among so
This impulse is especially common among
solve. That puts government in charge of
Perot voters. Mark Mellman, a Democratic
many middle-class people that they were get-
failures. And government has failed often
ting nothing from government. It's simply not
-pollster, says that Perot backers "have Dem-
enough that taxpayer skepticism cannot be
true that in declaring himself a "new Demo-
ocratic priorities and favor Republican solu-
dismissed as simple cold-heartedness. But if
crat" last year, Clinton ran as an anti-govern-
tions." They want government to do some-
Democrats can't make the case for govern-
ment candidate. He ran as a candidate who fa-
ment, they'll not only lose; they'll deserve to.
THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL
WEDNESDAY,
MAY
5,
1993
Slow but Sure on National Service
President Clinton promised voters "a domestic
wouldn't be filled by anyone other than volunteers.
G.I. Bill that will pledge college assistance to any
The President also proposes to open college to
student who wants it." But the national service plan
students who don't volunteer for community service
he recently announced falls short of that lofty goal.
by providing affordable student loans. The current
Only a handful of students will participate, and they
loan program is a complex myriad of options under
will receive a fraction of what it takes to attend
which commercial banks extend loans with the
private colleges.
backing of Federal guarantees and subsidies.
Some are urging the President to move faster.
Mr. Clinton's would simplify the process by
But in the current political vortex faster is probably
having the Government directly lend to students,
wrong. Mr. Clinton is already trying to ram three
thereby cutting out the banks and saving money.
major bills - the budget, health care reform and
The plan would also give students the option to tie
the Mexican trade pact - through Congress this
repayment to their future income - thereby elimi-
summer. Moreover, Congress needs his strong lead-
nating the fear of bankruptcy for those who enter
ership to strengthen and pass the campaign finance
low-paid occupations. Whether the plan would work
legislation expected to be unveiled later this week.
smoothly depends on details that have yet to be
To add an ambitious national service plan to the
provided.
Congressional agenda risks overload - and grid-
President Clinton's student loan program
lock.
would be simpler than the current program. But it
So Mr. Clinton has decided to start national
may not be cheaper. The money saved by eliminat-
service off slowly. That's acceptable, as long as he
ing bank profits could easily be swallowed up by
honors his campaign promises by accelerating the
bloated bureaucracy and less vigilant collection
plan next year.
from deadbeats. And there are ways to cut out fat
from the existing program - by reducing the
subsidies paid to the banks and forcing them to bear
The Clinton plan would open college gates to
more of the risk from student defaults.
more students through national service and a re-
What's odd is Mr. Clinton's decision to revamp
structured student loan program. High school grad-
the system even before the results of a pilot project
uates who volunteer for a year or two of community
of direct lending is studied. Surely it would make
service would, besides earning the minimum wage,
sense to see how the program works on a small
receive awards of up to $10,000 toward post-second-
scale before launching it nationwide.
ary education or training.
The President's vision draws on the inspiring
The award isn't large enough to pay for four
model of the G.I. Bill of Rights, which put millions of
years at private colleges. And the program would
World War II veterans into college classrooms and
initially accommodate only 25,000 students - a tiny
made them the best educated, and most productive,
fraction of the eligible population. But a slow pace
workers American has ever had. His plan isn't up to
may prove wise.
that standard - yet. But Mr. Clinton is on to
Mr. Clinton's vision is grand: young Americans
something important - an idea that is fully consis-
advancing themselves as they combat illiteracy, aid
tent with his campaign pledge to fashion govern-
the homeless or rehabilitate housing. But if it is
ment programs that help the needy only in ex-
rushed, the program could degenerate into a gov-
change for performance. This worthy endeavor
ernment bureaucracy handing out useless jobs that
need not be rushed.
The Tragedy of Sri Lanka
When Sri Lanka became independent in 1948, it
than the mostly Buddhist Sinhalese. So Mr. Bandar-
was called Ceylon and seemed to have it all:
anaike temporized, and suggested allowing "rea-
reasonable prosperity, a stable parliamentary
sonable use" of Tamil. Communal riots erupted,
system, habits of nonviolence and a landscape of
and the well-meaning Prime Minister was mur-
bewitching beauty.
dered in 1959 by a fanatic Buddhist. In due course
Now Sri Lanka, its official name since 1972, is
there followed a full-scale civil war as an extremist
synonymous with strife and tragedy. Last Saturday
Tamil faction clamored for a separate state and
its President and two dozen others were blown to
found support in India, with its 50 million Tamils,
bits by a suicide bomber. This followed the murder
just across the strait.
of the President's chief rival and leader of the
In a second unintended result, Prime Minister
opposition. The cycle of retribution seems certain to
Rajiv Gandhi saw a chance in 1987 to placate Indian
:continue.
Tamils and win points as a peacemaker in Sri
How did things go so horribly wrong? Sri
Lanka. He dispatched 50,000 troops to Tamil strong-
Lanka's story says a good deal about the unintended
holds on the island as part of a peace accord signed
consequences of rooting politics in religion and
in Colombo. But India's sometimes brutal soldiers
ethnicity. It starts with the election victory in 1956
were unable to disarm Tamil militants, and in 1991
of the Oxford-educated Solomon Bandaranaike, a
Mr. Gandhi himself was assassinated, almost cer-
year that also marked the 2,500th anniversary of
tainly by a Tamil extremist.
Buddha's attainment of Nirvana. Capitalizing on
The lesson is sobering. When an ethnic major-
religious fervor, the Prime Minister made Bud-
ity diminishes the citizenship rights of a well-
dhism the favored religion and decreed that Sinha-
established minority, even a pacific people in an
lese, spoken by Buddhists, was henceforth the sole
idyllic island can plunge into a bloodbath. It is an
official language.
open question whether Sri Lankans can ever re-
This angered a minority of mainly Hindu Tam-
cover what has been lost. But there is time for other
ils, who saw themselves at a permanent disadvan-
countries with peoples of different creeds and cul-
tage since they spoke a wholly different language
tures to ponder Sri Lanka's tragic experience.
16
; back at Kevin McHale's career and examines the Celtics' future
he Boston Blobe
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1993
THE BOSTON GLOBE
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1993
8
White House grants to sponsor
2 Boston volunteer programs
By Kevin Galvin
agency chartered by Congress.
City Year, often touted as a mod-
STATES NEWS SERVICE
Kennedy took to the Senate floor
el for any national service program,
to introduce the National Service
will pick 75 young adults to run an
WASHINGTON - Sen. Edward
Trust Fund Act of 1993 and the Stu-
eight-week summer camp for 470 in-
M. Kennedy filed legislation yester-
dent Loan Reform Act of 1993.
ner-city youngsters, restore a gar-
day on behalf of President Clinton
"These measures proposed by Presi-
den area near the Wheatley Middle
that would establish a national ser-
dent Clinton provide two types of
School in Roxbury, promote child-
vice program and reform student
federal support to tap the energy
hood vaccinations and health care
loans, and the White House awarded
and ideals of our greatest resources:
throughout the city and organize a
grants to sponsor two volunteer pro-
the young men and women of Amer-
day-long "servathon" of street clean-
grams in the Boston area this sum-
ica," Kennedy said.
ing and planting.
mer.
Tufts' Lincoln Filene Center,
The Massachusetts awards were
which promotes public service, will
Boston's City Year won $380,000
part of a kickoff to the "Summer of
direct 50 volunteers in operating a
and Tufts University was awarded
Service" program, which is to serve
community health outreach
$250,000 from the White House Of-
as a pilot program and train leaders
program, tutoring sixth-graders
fice of National Service and the
for Clinton's planned National Ser-
from Boston public schools and
Commission on National and Com-
vice Program. Sixteen groups were
working with the Environmental Di-
munity Service, an independent
awarded grant money nationwide.
versity Forum.
A SUMMER IN SERVICE
Federal grant puts Newark youth to work for community
By TERRI P. GUESS
Peace Corps.
A coalition of Newark colleges
Funding for the project includes
and community organizations received
the $880,000 federal grant, $200,000 for
a $1 million grant yesterday to fund
related expenses and $300,000 in in-
the Newark Summer of Service pro-
kind services from four higher educa-
gram, part of President Clinton's serv-
tion institutions.
leganitiative
Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.) said the
The grant was awarded by the
Newark Summer of Service program
White House Office of National Service
will set an example for other cities
End the Commission on National and
grappling with problems.
Community Service. It was announced
"Newark's program to cultivate
Newark Star Leuger 5/7
during a press conference at New Jer-
youth leadership and service among
Seg.Institute of Technology (NJTT).
13,480 children at risk is an example of
The program, administered by
the kind of urban renewal that can
NJIT, will include Essex County Col-
occur when the federal government
Lege, Rutgers-Newark and the Univer-
helps cities like Newark help them-
gity of Medicine and Denistry of New
selves," he said.
Jersey (UMDNJ) and will assist young-
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)
sters throughout Newark.
also supported the program, saying it
Jessica Phipps, chairwoman of
will help in developing a child's poten-
the Summer of Service Advisory Board
tial through education and leadership
and a Rutgers student, said, "This is
activities.
an opportunity for Newark-area youth
Partnership service organizations
to pull together and get involved in re-
include the Boys and Girls Clubs of
building the community. We have tar-
Nework, Community Agencies Corp. of
geted programs that will immediately
New Jersey, Consortium for Pre-Col-
impact at-risk children, those who are
lege Education in Newark, Greater
in danger of sacrificing their potential
Newark Conservancy, Habitat for Hu-
due to low self-esteem, lack of ade-
manity-Newark, International Youth
quate services and difficult physical
Photo by Richard Raska
Organization, La Casa de Don Pedro,
surroundings."
Jessica Phipps, chairwoman of the Summer of Service Advisory Board
Link Community Middle School, New
The program will mobilize 200
and a student at Rufgers-Newark, announces a $1 million grant to fund
Community Corp., New Jersey Youth
full-time paid corps members ages 18
the Newark Summer of Service program
Corps, Newark Police Department,
through 25 and several hundred volun-
Newark Public Library, NJIT Division
teers to deliver specialized education,
"Now they will not only have sum-
ica."
of Physical Education and Athletics,
health care, environmental and public
mer employment, but also academic
Miganovic said she believes com-
Project BABIES, Quest of Essex
safety programs. Phipps said 80 per-
counseling, community service and de-
munity service is on the rise and com-
County, St. Michael's Medical Center
cent of them will be Newark residents.
velopment of self-esteem," he said.
pared it to the early 1960s, when Presi-
and UMDNJ's Community 2000 pro-
Newark was one of 16 sights cho-
Jill Mijanovic, a Rutgers student
dent John F. Kennedy began the
ject.
sen for the program.
and one of the first to volunteer for the
"This type of program is critically
program, said she is involved because
important because it provides job op-
there is a need to help the community
portunities for at-risk students who
grow. "We have to educate our youth
normally find It hard to find summer
and once we educate our youth and
employment," said Mayor Sharpe
get them involved in the community,
James
they will be the future leaders of Amer-
of PENN MELLUN BLDG
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Section B
Metro
Man found guilty in
slayings of - bosses. B2.
News in Brief
82
The Scene
B2
Friday, May 7, 1993
Phila. wins grant
to immunize youth
The Clinton plan puts
using a grant to improve child immu-
nization.
150 college students to
"You just show up and that's
work. The goal is to
enough - don't need an appoint-
ment. don't need an insurance card,
reach 5,000 youths.
no long waiting lines," Dr. Roas said.
"If you've got a kid, we'll get that kid
By Vernon Loeb
immunized."
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Ross said that there are thought to
The Clinton administration yester-
be between 30,000 and 50,000 pre-
day awarded Philadelphia a $1.1 mil.
school children in Philadelphia -
lion grant designed to put 150 area
more than half of the 60,000 total -
college students to work this sum-
who are not properly immunized.
mer immunizing 5,000 low-income
Donne Gentile O'Donnell, a deputy
health commissioner, said the Immu-
children at neighborhood clinica.
Mayor Rendell and Health Com-
nisation program represented the
misioner Robert K. Ross unvelled the
first time that a city administration
immunization program at a Center
had been able to develop a full-ecale
City news conference shortly after
partnership with the region's im-
President Clinton announced in
pressive array of universities, partic-
Washington that Philadelphia and 13
ularly its medical and nursing
schools.
other cities would be receiving
Developed jointly by the Hoalth
grants to run national service proj-
Department, the school district and
ects.
the Philadelphia Higher Education
The mission on National and
Network for Neighborhood Develop-
Community Service is sponsoring
ment, the grent proposal calls for 150
the "Summer of Service" program,
area students - two-thirds from
with Philadelphia the only recipient
See IMMUNIZE on B10
PI 5/7/93
Phila. wins $1.1 million grant to immunize low-income children
INSURANCE from B1
gram. designed 10 reach out to low-
low the age of 6 has long presented a
going to be interested, and we're
gram that would fully Immunize all
Service" M a promtype for a larger
nursing schools to begin work
income parents and make immunts
major challenge to public health of
going to nake this thing go."
children in America who are on
program of national service that
June 20 for nine weeks at minimum
ing their children easter and more
ficials.
Ross called child immunizations a
Medicaid or are uninsured, bet
would encompans 100,000 low-paid
1
accessible, will operate out of SEX
"The Centers for Disease Control
"critical public bealth need" and
O'Donnell said Philadelphia's sam-
volunteers by 1997 if Congress -
They will also receive a $1,000 sti-
neighborhood-based clinics and two
has been trying to figure out how to
and that rates for diseases such as
mer program would proceed re
proves. This summer, 1,500 people
pend toward their education in addi-
mobile clinics, Rom and O'Donnell
get proschool kids incometed for 30
measies. mumps and whosping
gardless of the fate of that national
will take part, commission officials
tion to five days of community-serv-
said.
years," Ross mid.
cough - previously well controlled
legislation.
said.
ice training at 0 converted military
O'Dounall said the program's goal
"We're going to keep trying differ.
- have increased recently.
Much of the COST of Clinton's plan
"We've got huge public health
base outside Oakland, Callf., accord.
of immunizing 5,000 children would
ent ways of getting this dome, and
The most dramatic example of
originally estimated at $1.1 billion
problems that are rooted in a los of
ing to Patricia L Gerrity, an ASSO-
probably represent a fourfold in-
this is mother way.
this current trend occurred during
but later signaficantly redaced -
arban crises," Ross said. "And I don't
clate professor of oursing at La Salle
crease over the number of children
"We've ve got a huge educational re-
the 1990-1991 measles epidemic,"
would go toward purchasing vac-
know that - have everything we
University who will act as the pro-
who would otherwise receive immu-
source is this city, plenty of univer-
Row said, when 1,599 cases were re-
clas, which are relatively expen-
need to fix the AEX crisis, or fix the
gram's director
nizations at the city's district bealth
sities, lots of medical schools, lets of
ported and nine children died.
sive.
drug problem, or completely fix the
Gerrity Clew 10 Oakland Assterday
centers.
oursing schools," be saidWHow do
In 1986, by contrast. only 16 cases of
But Philadelphia, O'Doanell said,
tuberculosis or shiem and nake it all
for a weekend training session for
All children must be fully imm.
we work together with the public
measies were reported in Philadel-
is able to receive all the vaccines If
&
away. But 1 do know one thing
program directors from grant recipt
nized against an array of communi-
sector to get these kids immunised.
phia
needs for child immunizations
that the department to going to do:
ents around the country
cable diseases in order to attend
I'm sure the CDC is going to be
The Clinion administration is ne-
through the CDC in Atlanta.
We SEX going to get these kids immu-
Philadelphia's immunization pro-
school But immunizing children be
interested and the White House is
aoviating with Congress over a BTO-
Cliston - the "Sumper of
nurd
of
Summer of Service' comes to Baltimore
By Tom Bowman
City's was among 12 proposals to win Clinton initiative
tion at College Park. who helped
Staff Writer
write the Maryland proposal. "This
is part of leadership development
Baltimore was chosen yesterday
the federal Commission on National
Service."
due over the next two weeks -
- getting involved in the commu-
as one of 12 cities and states to
and Community Service, which an-
The local program will be open
they will look for diversity in ethnic-
nity." she said.
participate in the "Summer of Serv-
nounced the selections yesterday in
to young people aged 17 to 25. who
ity. economic background and edu-
"Summer of Service" is being
ice," one of President Clinton's Ini-
Washington.
will work from 30 to 40 hours a
cation.
touted by Clinton administration of-
tiatives to hire young men and
An estimated 1,500 young peo-
week in the city as teachers' assist-
The University of Maryland at
ficials as a trial run for a more am-
women to work on education,
ple nationwide will take part in the
ants. conservationists, counselors
College Park developed the local
bitious National Service program
health and conservation projects.
850 million federal initiative. with
and coaches.
proposal and is helping to run the
outlined by the president at Rutgers
Seventy-five young adults - in-
Baltimore's effort costing
The 75 participants also will
program.
University in March.
cluding high school students from
8500,000.
oversee high school students who
Besides the Maryland Student
Legislation authorizing that pro-
the Baltimore area and college stu-
"This is very exciting. This is a
volunteer to work with disadvan-
Service Alliance, the other partici-
gram. in which participants could
dents statewide --- will be chosen
great opportunity for young people
taged children.
pant is Civic Works, a Baltimore-
work for as long as two years to
for the seven-week program. They
to try and make changes in the
Through its various compo-
based youth service corps.
earn money to help pay for college.
will receive minimum wage, 84.25
community." said Kathleen Kenne-
nents. the program is expected to
The federal initiative represents
was introduced yesterday in Con-
per hour, plus $1,000 toward their
dy Townsend, director of the Mary-
reach more than 2,000 city chil-
President Clinton's "call to the
gress.
education.
land Student Service Alliance, one
dren.
younger generation." said Georgia
Ell Segal. director of the White
More than 430 proposals from
of three organizations that will be
Organizers said that in selecting
Sorenson, director of the Center for
across the country were received by
involved in Baltimore's "Summer of
from the applications - which are
Political Leadership and Participa-
See SERVICE, 4B
BALTIMORE'S SUMMER OF SERVICE PROGRAM
The "Summer of Service" program is open to high school students from
the Baltimore-metropolitan area, including Baltimore City and
Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford and Carroll counties.
College students who either study or live in Maryland can apply.
University of Maryland students are expected to submit their
applications by Moriday: the deadlines for others are listed below. The
three projects that comprise Baltimore's "Summer of Service" are:
Civic Works Summer of Service - 51 participants. Four crews of
17- to 21-year-olds will serve as teachers' aides at Herring Run Middle
School, health outreach assistants with the Baltimore City Department
of Health, environmental conservationists and instructors with Save
our Streams, and counselors/coaches at the Madison Recreation
Center. Corps members who do not have a high school diploma will be
required to attend GED classes offered by Civil Works. Applications -
due May 19 - are available by calling 366-8533. The program runs
from June 17 to Aug. 20.
Maryland Student Service Alliance Summer Corps 1993 - 20
participants. The team leaders aged 17-25 will supervise 200 middle
and high school students who volunteer to work with at-risk children
at community-based centers in Baltimore. The team leaders will guide
students as they help provide vaccinations, Improve children's reading,
writing and math skills and coach sports. The team leaders will live
together at the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore. For team leader and
corps members applications, call 333-2427. They are due May 17. The
program runs from June 28 to Aug. 13.
Team Maryland - Four participants. Four student-athletes from the
University of Maryland College Park will do outreach to assist both
Civic Works and the MSSA Summer Corps in their education and
health work. They also will live at the College of Notre Dame.
Applications, due Monday. are available by calling (301) 405-5751.
SERVICE
From 1B
dents at a cost of 8400 million.
By 1997, the administration
House Office of National Service, said
hopes the funding will increase to
in an Interview yesterday that the
81.5 billion and support 150,000
summer program "Is a demonstra-
students performing community
tion to the U.S. Congress that nation-
service in exchange for stipends and
al service can work."
educational benefits.
Mr. Segal predicted the summer
Besides Baltimore, the cities se-
program also will show taxpayers
lected yesterday for the Summer
that national service is a "cost effec-
Service program include Atlanta,
tive" way of meeting community
Boston, Los Angeles, Oakland, New
needs.
Orleans, Newark, New York, Phila-
The Clinton administration hopes
delphia and Red Lake, Minn. Propos-
its National Service program will be-
als from the states of Delaware and
gin next year and reach 25,000 stu-
Ohio also were chosen.
EDITORIAL
BY DAVID GERGEN
EDITOR AT LARGE
GIVE CLINTON A CHANCE
W
hooosshhhh!! To paraphrase Ross Perot.
Johnson's remark at a vexatious moment in the 1960s:
that sucking sound you hear is the air rush-
"The difference between cannibals and liberals." he
ing out of Bill Clinton's balloon as he ends
said. is that "cannibals eat only their enemies."
his first 100 days in office. Over the past two weeks. in
One might dismiss today's caterwauling as just an-
an orgy of harsh assessments. enemies and friends
other outbreak of low jinks on the Potomac were some-
alike have been sticking in so many pins that his presi-
thing serious not at stake. But something serious is at
dency is losing altitude at an alarming rate.
risk. Over the past 30 years, America has had a series
Clinton brought many of these troubles on himself. By
of broken presidencies: Five of the past six occupants
pledging to have "the most productive 100-day period in
have been driven from the Oval Office in defeat or
modern history." he guaranteed a sense of letdown.
despair. Only Ronald Reagan survived for two terms.
After running the best Democratic campaign of modern
and he too was running out of steam before it was over.
times. his team has also made a surprising number of
With so much to do at home. America cannot afford
mistakes in the White House: lurching
the destruction of another presidency.
to the left too often. emphasizing tax
But that is where we are headed unless
increases over spending cuts. treating
we regain our sensibility. We are mak-
adversaries with arrogant disdain and
'If he doesn't have
ing politics a spectator sport in which
gradually losing a central thrust to its
leadership. Clinton needs to refocus
all the right
our only duty is to vote somebody into
office and then retire to the grand-
attention on his economic plan. espe-
answers, we
stands. When our hero first arrives. we
cially on the creation of jobs. and post-
should stop
stand and cheer. But when we see he
pone his health care proposals until
has feet of clay - and they all do - it's
fall. Otherwise. he risks loss of both.
jeering, get off the
"Throw the bum out!" No democracy
Whatever Clinton's sins. however,
sidelines and help
can succeed as an entertainment.
they hardly merit the extraordinary de-
him find them.
We owe each other more. The press
nunciations that have issued from so
should show us Clinton's warts. but
many quarters in recent days. Voters
what about the rest of him? Will his
express their disappointment that he
proposal for a national service corps
hasn't brought more change and grade
a fine idea that has been strengthened
his performance at little more than a
by his staff - receive as much attention
gentleman's C. Republicans along with Ross Perot razz
this week as. say. Panetta's remarks last week? When
him as a liar. Pundits in the press - or the commentariat.
Education Secretary Richard Riley issued a major initia-
as one newspaper calls it - have acted as if he is an utter
tive for overhauling schools recently. it wound up on
failure and probably shot his mother when no one was
page A-28 of the Washington Post. Is that balance?
looking. One incident blown out of proportion. for ex-
Republicans should indeed stand up against Clinton
ample. was his failure to accept responsibility for Waco
proposals that violate their philosophy. But where is an
in the first hours after the tragedy occurred: in fact. he
alternative Republican agenda that offers positive
three times suggested to the staff that day that he speak
ideas for change? Where. too. is Ross Perot's real pro-
up and was urged to wait until the facts were clear.
gram? He is still maddeningly vague. As for Demo-
Politicians in his own party have been equally critical.
crats. they ought to wake up: Voters have put them in
Carefully speaking anonymously. they worry to the press
charge. at least for now. and rightly expect them to
that he is another Jimmy Carter. Every misstep seems to
stop complaining and get on with things.
be magnified. every misdemeanor treated as a capital
Bill Clinton has had the courage to focus the nation on
offense. Leon Panetta. his budget director and a former
its major needs of better jobs, better education and
creature of the Hill. added to the frenzy last week with
better health care, and he is trying to fix them. If he
ill-chosen words to the press that his boss was in trouble
doesn't have all the right answers. we should stop jeer-
and Congress might reject his key proposals. Watching
ing. get off the sidelines and help him find them. For the
his friends pile on. Clinton might have recalled Lyndon
next 1.300 days. he is the only president we have.
92
89
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. MAY 10. 1993
first from Panetta. the most prominent
ing parliamentary guerrilla war against
man of the House Ways and Means Commit-
"deficit hawk" within the administration.
the Clinton program: led by Sen. Bob Dole.
tee is a pivotal player both issues. said the
Panetta fairly rocked Washington with a
the GOP last month managed to wreck Clin-
administration's health plan was "the do-
deeply pessimistic-and on-the-record-
ton's economic-stimulus package with a
mestic equivalent of Star Wars" because it
assessment of Clinton's relations with Con-
filibuster. But the real problem is the Demo-
includes "elaborate linkages between sev-
gress. warning his boss to hold off on push-
crats. who must somehow hold the line
eral different institutions. none of which
ing health-care reform until his economic
against the GOP and. it can fairly be said.
exist here or anywhere else."
plan had cleared the House and Senate.
swallow their doubts about the administra-
Although an aide later insisted that Ros-
Panetta also said the North American Free
tion's priorities. Last week-shortly after
tenkowski actually supports Clinton's de-
Trade Agreement. which would create a
the president vow to push ahead on health
termination to move quickly on healt heare.
common market with Canada and Mexico.
reform-Rep. Dan Rostenkowski delivered
there was no mistaking the message in the
was probably "dead" in Congress. and he
a highly disparaging view of the Clinton
chairman's stinging choice of words. There
added that he was "very nervous about the
health plan. Rostenkowski. who as chair-
is. similarly. doubt that Rostenkowski
nation's economic health. Most
of all. Panetta said. Clinton
could salvage his legislative
program only if he "defines
The 'Soul' and Sell of National Service
his priorities more clearly-
which is exactly what many old
New Orleans last Friday is a
idealistic foible of Clinton's
hands in Washington. and at
shadow of last year's sweep-
"Every candidate has one of
least some of Clinton's econom-
the era's spirit of idealism
ing rhetoric. As a candidate,
these things.' he said. "You
advisers. also think.
like the Peace Corps. Bill
Clinton promoted a plan to
humor him and you move
Mr. Mellow: White House
Clinton was an impression-
make full-ride college loans
on. But Communications Di-
sources said Clinton at first re-
able Hot Springs. Ark.. teen-
available to students willing
rector George Stephanopou-
acted angrily to Panetta's apos-
ager when the corps was in
to work or repay the money
los. among others. champi-
tasv. But the president was Mr.
its heyday. dispatching thou-
through payroll deductions.
oned the program. calling it
Mellow the next day. telling
But the price tag-$30
"the soul of what we ran on.
reporters that Panetta had
billion over the first
Waiting game: Opponents
"hada bad and that heonly
three years-made the
have been pecking away at
wanted to "buck him up. not
idea a nonstarter. The
the proposal for months. Vet-
"take him to the woodshed.
trimmed-down version
eransgroup forced the White
Clinton also restated his inten-
($3 billion for 150.000
House to lower the maxi-
tion toannounce his long-await-
national-service work-
mum grant from $13,000
ed plan for health reform on
ers by 1997) would
to $10.000, just below the
schedule-which means some-
make up to $10,000 in
amount available through
time later this month. possibly
college awards avail-
the GI Bill. Banks are unhap-
aspeech before a joint session
able to anyone over 17
py at the prospect of losing
of Congress on May 25. The
who works one year
the lucrative S54 billion stu-
White House in fact is already
full-time or two years
dent-loan market. While the
gearing up for a nationwide
part-time in a mini-
bill should clear the House.
health-reform blitz complete
mum-wage education-
the Senate will be tougher.
with multiple appearances by
al. environmental or
The program's complicat-
Clinton and Hillary and a spe-
health job.
ed managerial structure-a
cially formed political market-
Clinton also pro-
network of state commis-
ing organization spun off from
posed revamping the
sions overseen by a national
the Democratic National Com-
federal student-loan
board-will be denounced by
mittee. This group. modeled on
h STAR
program. bypassing
the GOP as an example of
the "interactive" campaigns
The call: At Smith College
banks and establishing
Democratic big government.
pioneered by Jerry Brown and
a system of direct fed-
Even Sen. John Breaux of
Ross Perot. will employ an 800-
sands of young American vol-
eral loans. Students uninter-
Louisiana. chairman of the
number for citizen-volunteers
unteers overseas to work
ested in service could repay
moderate Democratic Lead-
and promote the formation of
in developing nations. More
the money as a small portion
ership Council. which Clin-
grass-roots coalitions to pres-
than 30 years later. Clinton is
of their annual income rath-
ton helped found, says the
sure Congress. And while some
trying to launch his own in-
er than a monthly check to a
measure won't pass this year.
are wary of a multimillion-dol-
spirational "signature" pro-
bank. The plan might encour-
Lawmakers will soon be inun-
lar "disinformation" campaign
gram-a plan that offers col-
age more young people to
dated with a massive health-
from the special interests. asen-
lege scholarship money in
take low-paying jobs that ad-
care reform package. In the
ior White House aide said. "We
exchange for one or two
dress social needs.
Clinton pantheon, job crea-
have the president. and we have
years' work in a public-serv-
Clinton advisers think the
tion, deficit reduction and
millions of Americans who
ice job. But converting his
universal-loan idea is a polit-
campaign-finance reform are
want the system changed."
dream to policy won't be easy.
ical winner. But some of
more urgent priorities. He
That much is certainly true.
National service was a cor-
his more tough-minded aides
may have to wait before he
But what Clinton doesn't have
nerstone of Clinton's 1992
have little use for nation-
can put his signature on an
-and it matters a lot-is solid
presidential campaign. Yet
al service. One of Clinton's
idea close to his heart.
support on the Hill. The prob-
the program he outlined in
consultants regards it as an
HOWARD FINEMAN in Washington
lem. in part. is that Senate Re-
publicans are successfully wag-
44
NEWSWEEK MAY 10. 1993 33
St Emamide
Bay Area Youths Eager to Serve in Service Program
By William Carlsen
come a soldier to help rebuild my
11 locations nationwide as model
Under the summer plot pro-
country."
sites for a "Summer of Service"
with application requests," said
Circatele StaffWriter
gram, which draws on $8.8 mil-
Bea Poulin, assistant director of
Nineteem-year-old Jeff Car-
Last week, Carpenter was
program for 1,500 ycuths. The
lion In existing congressional
the Center for Political Leader-
penter is ready to give up his
among 400 UC Berkeley students
San Francisco Bay Area received
grants, 1,500 participants be-
250 job slots, the largest number
ship at the University of Mary-
$11-per-hour job working in an
who descended on a cramped stu-
tween the ages of If and 25 will
land, College Park, one of thepro-
MAY-11-93 TUE 10:50
auto traffic school for a $4.25
dent activities office to grab the
in the country.
earn the minimum wage for eight
Jeet sponsors selected last week.
per-kour minimum wage posi-
hottest item on campus appli-
The summer projects are de-
weeks of community service,
tion teaching disad vaniaged
cations for a pilot project in Prest-
signed to serve as a kind of do-
then receive a $1,000 voucher for
Harlan Eplan, who Is handling
middle school kids this sum-
dent Clinton's recently proposed
college tuition, vocational train-
applicants for a projectsite in At-
mestic Peace Corps prototype for
mer
national service program.
Clinton's ful-fledged plan to em-
ing or to pay back student loans
lanta, said his group, Hands on
Atlanta Inc., has added extra vol-
"I've always been against all
Even before official word of
ploy 150,000young people in com-
the project had gore out, all 400
Favorable Response
unteers to field all the phones
the money spert on campus for
munity service by 1997. Legisla-
calls. "The response is over-
ROTC," said the University of Cal-
applications had been snapped
tion for the large-scale program,
The program, one of the cen-
whelming," he said. "This is the
ifornia at Berkeley frestman.
up in less than 24 hours.
which will allow youths to per-
tral promises in Clinton's presi-
beginning of something very
"Military spending ends up being
form a year of public service at
dential campaign, has struck a
used outside the country while in-
250 Boy Area lebs
big."
minimum wage in exchange for a
nerve not only in the Bay Area
side the country things are fall-
On Thursday, White House cf-
$5,000 educational grant, was in-
but nationwide.
He said his group has only 50
ing spart. This b a chance to be-
ficials announced the selection of
troduced in Congress last week.
"We have been inundated
SERVICE: Page A14 Co. 1
us
The Ann Arbor News, Sunday, May 16, 1993
U-M students hear
ELI
pitch for service
Invoking idealism of Peace Corps,
U.S. director urges involvement
By STEPHEN CAIN
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Wherever he (President Clinton) talked about national
When President Clinton's director of the
Office of National Service returned to his
service, there was a resonance with the audience, even
alma mater on Saturday. his handlers
though we've gone through three decades of cynicism about
couldn't resist setting up a "photo op" on
the steps of the Michigan Union to echo
the possibility that government can make a difference in
John Kennedy's announcement of the
communities.'
Peace Corps during the 1960 presidential
campaign.
- Eli J. Segal
After all, EU J. Segal hopes to draw on the
same wellspring of idealism that Kennedy
tapped, but use it to build a program of ser-
vice that would be nearly 10 times larger
than the Peace Corps at its peak.
Segal also played the Kennedy card in a
Saturday afternoon University of Michigan
Law School commencement address at Hill
Auditorium with a call that the soon-to-be
lawyers adopt service as their highest
value.
"Some things are too important to leave
to the law, including justice itself" said Se-
gal, a 1967 U-M Law School grad. "The law
Task force head Barry Checkoway and U-
frequently allows conduct that is wrong.
M Vice President for Student Affairs Man-
For example, it is against the law to run a
reen Hartford will be testifying in Washing-
red light but not w let a Somali child
ton on Wednesday when the House
starve."
Education and Labor Committee - headed
However, the real business of his excur-
by Ford - has its hearing on the 350-page
sion to Ann Arbor may have transpired in a
national service bill the administration in-
backed second-floor room of the Michigan
troduced only last week.
Clinton campaigned on the economy, def-
Inion when Segal and U.S. Rep. William D.
icit reduction and health care reform.
ord, D-Ypsilanti Township, met with the
"But wherever he talked about national
i-M's Task Force on Community Service
service, there was a resonance with the au-
earning
dience, even though we've gone through
Segal challenged the task force to help.
three decades of cynicism about the possi-
im shape a still undeveloped piece of the
bility that government can make a differ-
reposed national service program, one
ence in communities," said Segal, who had
at would allow students to earn money for
served as Clinton's chicf of staff and finance
eir education by performing community
director at various stages of the campaign.
ervice while still in college.
The first major piece of the national scr-
NEWS WAN
vice plan - the establishment of direct stu-
Eli Segal listens to comments on
See SERVICE, 83
volunteerism Saturday.
The Ann Arbor News, Sunday, May 16, 1993
SERVICE, from:B1
Task force challenged
dent loans for college students that
the president's agenda. If we're
bypass the banks and make funds
smart and we don't over-promise, it
available at lower interest rates -
can be done."
was approved by Ford's committee
Segal said he has good models
last Wednesday.
around which to build programs in-
Ford said Saturday that the mea-
volving young people who will be at-
surc, which would save an estimat-
tending college or technical school
ed $4.3 billion during the next five
years. has just been slipped into a
with the help of the money they
Senate budget reconciliation pack-
earn, and additional programs
age in such a way that it is immune
through which college grads can
from filibuster and thus assured of
pay off their student loans.
passage.
He asked the U-M's task force -
Now, the task is to shape the na-
which works with some 4,400 under-
tional service program itself The
graduate students and several
concept is that young people could
thousand graduate students al-
earn up to $5,000 toward college or
ready doing community service
technical training for each of two
work - to help with the design of
years of service in meeting commu-
national service programs for stu-
nity needs in education, health. hu-
dents while they are in college.
man services, the environment and
"We have programs in communi-
public safety.
ty service learning that involve both
Segal said he hopes to see the
meaningful education and mean-
legislation passed this summer, to
ingful service," said Checkoway, a
be in business by Oct. 1 and to have
professor of social work and urban
150,000 people working to help meet
planning. "Everyone will win if we
community needs ranging from tu-
are able to integrate this type of
toring to immunization to environ-
thing with a national service pro-
mental cleanup by the end of Clin-
gram that would help students pay
ton's term "The Peace Corps was
for their education. National service
never more than 16,000 and now is
is a great investment for society to
only 6,000," said Segal "National
make, and Segal will have our ac-
service is at the heart and soul of
tive collaboration."
USA TODAY
MONDAY, MAY 24, 1993 5A
THE CLINTON AGENDA
National service: Big promise, little money
By Maria Puente
In the first year alone, the
USA TODAY
Clinton plan calls for spending
NATIONAL SERVICE PLAN
$394 million, and up to $3.4 bil-
President Clinton's plan to
lion per year by the fifth year.
link student aid to community
Q: Who is eligible?
But the number of participat-
service won big applause on
A: Those age 17 and older with high school/General
ing students would be small:
the campaign trail, but it's be-
Equivalency diplomas.
only 25,000 in the first year and
ing greeted far less warmly by
Q: How long will participants serve?
150,000 by the fifth.
congressional appropriators.
A: No less than one year, nor more than two years of full-
"Our message has been
time service.
Touted as a civilian version
muddied up to now," says Rep.
of the G.I. Bill, the National
Q: How much are the awards worth?
Dave McCurdy, D-Okla., one of
Service Trust Act is considered
A: Awards of $5,000 for each year of service up to two
the plan's creators. "We have
a, signature initiative of the
years. Participants would also get at least minimum-wage,
the burden of proof to demon-
Clinton administration.
along with health-care and child-care benefits if needed.
strate this will not be a huge
"It's a new approach - no
Q: What kinds of jobs will they do?
new federal bureaucracy."
subsidies without strings," says
A: Jobs would include: Teachers' aides in classrooms or
As a new program, national
Will Marshall, author of a book
service first must be autho-
Head Start; working on recycling or conservation projects;
that influenced the program.
rized and then funded by the
in-home care for the elderly; building housing for the home-
But while national service
appropriations committees
less; teaching drug education seminars or serving as a com-
has important bipartisan sup-
with separate legislation.
munity service officer with a police department.
port. it also has influential crit-
"Authorization is easy; fund-
ics. If those critics have their
ing will be difficult," says Sen.
way, national service will be
the elderly or environmental
Phil Gramm, R-Texas "I'm go-
et to pay for national service.
trimmed to little more than a
ing to fight this vigorously."
cleanup. They'd also get health
"(Clinton's) budget is al-
AP
demonstration project.
Critics praise the concept of
By Tim Dillon, USA TODAY
care and day-care benefits.
ready $8 billion in spending
"It will probably be (autho-
community service, but ques-
"We have found that massive
rized) so as not to embarrass
"We have the burden of proof to
"We're concerned that na-
over where we need to be to
tional service will be more en-
tion whether government can
meet deficit reduction thrgets,"
the president, but it may never
effectively cultivate it.
funding increases in a short period
demonstrate this will not be a huge
ticing than going into the mili-
says Rep. David Obey, D-Wis.,
be appropriated," says Tom
"In the past we have found
of time inevitably lead to wasteful
new federal bureaucracy."
tary," says Steve Robertson,
an Appropriations member."
Petri, R-Wis., a member of the
that massive funding increases
and inefficient use of those funds."
legislative director for the
Still, polls show national ser-
- Rep. Dave McCurdy, D-Okla., one of
House subcommittee that will
in a short period of time inev-
American Legion.
handle authorization.
- Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, R-Kan.
the originators of the national service plan
vice is highly popular with mid-
itably lead to wasteful and inef-
Higher education officials
dle-class families, who aren't
Jack Lew, general counsel
ficient use of those funds," says
have another complaint: Clin-
eligible for most financial aid
for Clinton's national service
Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, R-
ton is proposing a 15% cut -
authorized. Authorization isn't
programs but still have a tough
office. says it's too early to tell
"It's laughable to think gov-
Kan., ranking Republican on
all-volunteer military.
about $273 million - in exist-
expected until it's too late to
time paying college fees.
how the program will fare in
ernment can do anything as
the Senate committee that will
Under the plan, students
ing federal financial aid such
"It sounds so wonderful,"
fund the program this session.
Congress. "We're not discour-
cheaply as the private sector,"
handle authorization.
would get $5,000 a year for up
Meanwhile, voices from con-
as college work/study, loan
says Doug Bandow, senturefel-
aged at the moment," he says.
says Bruce Chapman, a former
Even without opposition, the
to two years to defray the cost
and grant programs. Those
low at the libertarian think
servative think tanks argue
But even Democrats grum-
Reagan administration official.
program's timing may be a
of college or pay off loans. In
programs already support up
that the plan will compete with
tank Cato Institute. "Then you
ble. "It just costs too much."
Veterans groups complain
problem. The House Appropri-
return, they'd put in up to two
to 500,000 students.
private charities, distort the
get into the substance, and it all
says Rep. Mike Synar, D-Okla.,
the potential benefits of nation-
ations Committee rarely funds
years of work at minimum
But some congressional crit-
true meaning of volunteerism
melts away."
usually a Clinton supporter.
al service would exceed those
programs before they've been
wages in jobs such as teacher's
ics say Clinton hasn't cut
and lead to political favoritism.
of the G.I. Bill - a threat to the
aide, hospice care, day care for
enough elsewhere in the budg-
Clinton index, 2A
Pass National Service, Cripple Charity
By BRUCE CHAPMAN
tives to fund them instead.
mium, increasingly, will be on "profes-
cently, "the American people should be
Surveys by the Gallup Poll and Inde-
National-service-backed groups also
sionalizing" volunteer service in order to
given the opportunity to fall in love with
pendent Sector show that charitable giv-
will be allowed to add private charitable
obtain federal dollars. But it is the ama-
the idea of the National Service Trust
ing and service are thriving today as sel-
funds to the government salary offered to
teur, unbureaucratic charities that typi-
Fund, and not have their affections tied to
dom before. In 1991, the latest year for
attract volunteers. Tax-free national ser-
cally are the most innovative.
the success or failure of any specific na-
which data are available, 94.2 million
vice salaries alone will be about $20,000 an-
Tocqueville, in praising the energy and
tional service program.
Like
Social
Se-
Americans age 18 and over volunteered in
nually, including medical and other bene-
distinction of America's "voluntary asso-
curity, national service will be woven into
some capacity, with an average of more
fits (such as child care) and the $5,000 col-
ciations," warned: "Once it leaves the
the fabric of American life.
than 4.2 hours of service per week. The
lege loan payment. With the government-
sphere of politics to launch out on this new
Congressional hearings on President
motive force is a spirit of true voluntarism
permitted private match, salaries could
track, [government] will, even without in-
Clinton's national service plan and the
and genuine service.
exceed $29,000.
tending this, exercise an intolerable
public relations campaign advancing it at
Drawing on a moral tradition going
That is more than most youths could
tyranny. For a government can only dic-
most always bring forward as spokesmen
back to the Bible, and wending through
hope to make starting out in the private
tate precise rules. It imposes the senti-
young, ingenuous participants in private
the American founding and the young re-
charities. This approach. with idealistic
public described by Alexis de Tocqueville,
teacher's aides or student tree-planters
this ideal has created what some call a
"mediating" institution between the
Imagine trying to raise money for a private charity
making the pitch for a new government
program, is affecting. But these ad-
profit sector and the government. Now the
when government-endorsed charities can offer donors fed-
mirable youngsters are not the organizers
government proposes not only to compete
eral "matching money," prestige and public recognition.
of the scheme, and they are not likely to
with this sector (as in the Vista program),
understand its long-term implications for
but to invade it directly.
the voluntary sector as a whole. Neither,
Remember CETA
sector, where the median income of work-
ments and ideas which it favors, and it is
apparently, does much of the disorganized
Under President Clinton's national ser-
ers, including those with years of experi-
never easy to tell the difference between
opposition.
vice bill, politically appointed boards cho-
ence, is $29,400 for males and $20,500 for
its advice and its commands."
females. It is surely far more than most
The Greatest Danger
sen by state governors would funnel fed-
Indeed, much of the intellectual argu-
eral funds for service jobs to selected pri-
private charities could offer them. Thus,
ment for national service expressly rejects
Opponents of the plan seem to think the
vate and civic groups. Imagine you run a
as national service makes selected chari-
the Tocquevillean tradition. Rutgers Prof.
main problems are the addition to the
private charity. If it is chosen to partici-
table causes more attractive to volunteers
Benjamin Barber, whose contribution to
deficit ($400 million this year, $7 billion by
pate in the national service program,
and donors, it automatically will make
the idea of national service was hailed by
1997); the moral contradiction of paying for
you've hit the jackpot financially. But if
others less so.
President Clinton when he announced the
"service" when no risk or inconvenience is
your charity, like the great majority, is
One sees this especially in respect to
plan, is a critic of limited government, cap-
entailed (unlike military service or the
not chosen, your cause will find itself try-
religious organizations, now the source of
italism and representative ("thin")
Peace Corps); and the failure of the plan to
ing to compete with the federal treasury.
roughly half of all charitable activities.
democracy. He argues instead for institu-
cover more than 1% of the student popula-
Americans familiar with the notorious
Because of understandable concerns over
tions of "strong democracy," including,
tion with its payment of as much as $10,000
Comprehensive Employment and Train-
separation of church and state, national
ultimately, compulsory universal citizen
in college loans for two years' government-
ing. Act of the 1970s should find the
service will not support any programs that
service in government-run programs.
approved service. These difficulties are all
prospects for unabashed political patron-
provide "religious instruction, conduct
Most private, independent efforts, he be-
genuine, but not the greatest danger. The
age, and even corruption, obvious.
worship services or proselytize." But, ef-
lieves, "encourage self-interestedness."
attack on the voluntary sector is.
Incapacitating the nongovernment
fectively, that means that a church or syn-
Another champion of national service,
National service reportedly is on a
charitable sector further, the national ser-
agogue running a youth leadership pro-
much admired at the White House, is
"fast track" in Congress. However, the
vice bill allows (read, "encourages") the
gram or day-care center will be at a disad-
Michael Brown, co-director of Boston's
voluntary sector and its supporters-other
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MONDAY, MAY
programs it backs to raise additional
vantage against comparable national ser-
City Year. He has been an influential ad-
than those organizations that hope to ben-
funds from private sources. Imagine try-
vice programs. Quickly, the pressure will
vocate of seeking private as well as public
efit directly from federal funds-appar-
ing to raise money for a private charity
be on religious groups to secularize or
money for national service programs and
ently do not understand yet what is about
when the government's endorsed chari-
spin off their service programs to make
of the National Service Trust Fund picking
to hit them.
ties, blessed by your state's governor, can
them appealing to national service.
private charity programs to back, rather
offer donors federal "matching money,"
Moreover, the president's bill is full of
than running service programs itself.
Mr. Chapman is president of Discovery
prestige and public recognition as incen-
federal paperwork obligations, SO the pre-
"In this way," Mr. Brown wrote re-
Institute, a public policy center in Seattle.
From the Peace Corps to a national
service corps
Rekindling the JFK spirit
Schlesinger Jr.'s contention that Kennedy's
DAVID NYHAN
victory "gave the country back to its best
self" and took government away from the ca-
orothy Stoneman, spends her days,
bal of "played-out old men."
D
and a lot of her nights, stitching
As he prepares to make way for the
together a scheme to build housing
150,000-strong national service corps Ted
for the poor and homeless in dev-
Kennedy is marking up in the Senate, Segal
astated inner-city tracts, using as labor the
cautioned that the nation is far more cynical
sullen, alienated, often dangerous youth
about government than it was in the early
America usually fears.
1960s. But he vowed: "It is going to happen."
In other words, she is not a cookie who
Stoneman explained that serving one's
crumbles easily. But she wept, she admitted
community means "liberating what is al-
Tuesday, when she heard that President-
ready there" in alienated youth "when you
elect Clinton had picked a black man, Ver-
scrape off that cynicism and despair."
non Jordan, to head his transition. When the
Schemes have to be sensible: a real job, not
young black men with her asked why she
just park-cleaning, that creates something
cried, she said it was because the part of her
permanent, like housing. Plus, training, su-
that died with John F. Kennedy's murder
pervision, and then you need "profound re-
was about to bloom again.
spect for the young people who have
"It was as if we could pick up, where we
dropped off the edge." Listen to them.
left off," the founder of the National Youth
Elaine Jones, an NAACP lawyer, took
Build Coalition told a packed house at Har-
her college degrees and her Southern accent
vard's Kennedy School of Government.
to Turkey as a Peace Corps volunteer when
Turks were anti-American. They refused to
Hundreds of heads nodded. Because this
believe this slim black woman was a Yank.
was volunteer country, Peace Corps country,
national youth service country. And while
She taught English 80 well to a group of
Turkish medical students that they still have
the Clinton administration is getting its well-
Southern accents.
coiffed block knocked off in many areas, the
volunteer community of America is still
Coming home to become the first black
thrilled with Bill & Hill.
graduate of the University of Virginia Law
School was no problem. Why? "It's all rela-
The slain president's son, John F. Ken-
tive. It was Charlottesville after Istanbul. So
nedy Jr., moderated a remarkable panel:
Charlottesville was a breeze." Volunteers
Each speaker topped the rest in eloquence,
get stronger after they serve somewhere,
passion and thirst for ways to hammer ideal-
said Jones. "Once you drink from the cup, it
ism into practical reality. Sen. Ted Kennedy,
is always with you. The whole idea of volun-
a volunteer four decades ago in a Harvard-
tarism and national service has carried me
sponsored settlement house, was embraced
throughout my career."
repeatedly as the godfather of national ser-
Robert Coles of Harvard Medical School,
vice legislation.
the author and psychiatrist, was a young Air
The late president's son called national
Force doctor in Biloxi, Miss., when he heard
service "the defining ideal" of JFK's life. "I
JFK's call to volunteer. He plunged into the
know my father would be proud of the way
civil rights effort in the South with the stu-
President Clinton rekindled interest in na-
dents of the Student Nonviolent Coordinat-
tional service." Then he ran a film clip of his
ing Committee and learned anew the worth
father's speeches laying out the rationale for
of thinking deeply about life, "to take pause,
the Peace Corps.
to reflect, to think about what life means."
Craning his neck to catch the grainy vid-
Coles wants America's colleges to go
eo was Eli Segal, Clinton's consigliore for
back to Harvard's mission in the last cen-
national service. He heard JFK's oddly for-
tury: teach character as well as intellect.
mal cadence defining "the citizen's responsi-
We've got lots of brainy folk; we need more
bility
for our privileges can be no greater
of a sense of how to behave, we need "a larg-
than our obligations; each can be neglected
er kind of learning."
only at the peril of the other." Memo to Clin-
Young people who enlist in service proj-
ton: Hire that speechwriter, Bill!
ects learn how to apply learning to life, Coles
How long since we had a president quote
said, discover "what it means to become a
Goethe's fish-or-cut-bait dictum on "whether
human being" and come to understand that
you will be a hammer or an anvil?"
"there is an end and pause to ask, 'How
Segal told of partying as a 17-year-old
might I live more morally, ethically, respon-
BOSTON GLOBE 5/27/93
Brandeis freshman the night of Kennedy's
sibly?' What's bigger than that?
election, afire with "the sense of hope, the
politics of the possible." He quoted Arthur
David Nyhan is a Globe columnist.
The Washington Times
WILLIAM BUCKLEY JR.
Cross are the national service con-
National service
scientious objectors.
In the United States, these tasks
will be done in exchange for paying
the student's costs of attending col-
or hiring hall?
lege. As pointed out in this space a
few weeks ago, it is not very differ-
ent from the ROTC. It is not widely
imagined that the ROTC collects the
or all that Bill Clinton likes to
It used to be that in order to avoid
true American young patriots. It col-
F
think of himself as the rein-
the military draft in Germany, you
lects some of these, no doubt, but
carnation of American ide-
needed to ululate about how force
primarily it collects Americans who
alism, he has the capacity to
and violence did terrible things to
are willing to barter time in the mili-
vulgarize much that he touches.
you and therefore you were a consci-
tary during college, the summer and
Raising taxes becomes an act of
entious objector. Tb an extent, one
after college in exchange for tuition,
justice. Vietnam is what he didn't
gathers, these motions one still goes
room and board.
approve of because it was a civil war.
through. But it isn't necessary, be-
In a way, it is an OK deal. If the
And wherever he is on the matter of
cause the draft board simply winks
Bosnia, which is never where he was
federal government is going to go
at you and says: OK, conscientious
the day before, that is the only posi-
into the business of hiring a year of
objector, proceed to Social Assign-
a young person's life in order to ac-
tion occupiable by moral and wise
ment Center X.
men. In the few measures he has
complish social purposes, then you
From there you are sent to old
have a straight market transaction.
taken with respect to national ser-
people's homes, or to hospitals, or to
You pay as much as you need to pay
vice, he has managed to materialize
schools - whatever. There is a slight
the whole idea.
to get the time of as many people as
penalty in that you are detained in
you wish to hire.
Nicola Clark of the Wall Street
service for 15 months, whereas the
Journal reminded us of how they
military conscripts get out after 12
But to call this national service
handle the problem of cheap labor
months. But your pay is $8.50 per
disgraces an ideal. The Peace Corps,
for social services in Germany. They
day (the institution to which they are
the Mormon young missionaries -
conscript it, in effect.
assigned provides room and board),
the spirit there is different. For
rising slightly after a few months.
them, the idea is to submit to sacri-
Those of us who oppose the draft
should from time to time remind
The Germans get the labor of
fice, in exchange for the benefits
135,000 national servants at a cost of
not of room and board and tuition -
ourselves that, in the industrial
world, we are a small minority. It is
about $3 billion per year.
of life in America. The symbol (as
Mr. Clinton anticipates, by the
advocated in my recent book on the
only Canada, the United States, Ja-
pan and Great Britain that do not
year 1997, to have 150,000 Amer-
question) is of the 18-year-old ap-
have a military draft.
icans engaged in national service, at
proaching the American altar and
What happened in Germany was
a cost of $9.5 billion per year. Why
saying: You have given me the Bill of
the enormous difference?
Rights, the Constitution, protection
that the shrewd Huns came to terms
Because under Mr. Clinton we are
from foreign powers. I will give you
in 1985 with certain market realities,
preparing in effect to buy the time of
one year of my time in exchange.
this being their specialty. On the one
hand more young men became 18
the national service students at en-
Graduates of that ceremony re-
than the army needed; on the other
ticing commercial rates. We are pre-
enter society with a badge of honor,
hand, social institutions, in particu-
paring to pay $20,000 for a year of
first-class citizens who believe that
lar those relating to health needs,
the "volunteer's" time. It is as
blessings are not altogether free,
were desperate for more help at
uncomplicated as that the govern-
that some gesture of requital is in
affordable prices.
ment has gone into the business of
order. That is national service, not
buying the time of students who are
just another employment agency
prepared to teach little children how
festooned with speeches by Bill Clin-
to read or carry the bedpans of the
William F. Buckley Jr. is president
ton about love of country.
aged or the hospitalized. The list is
and editor at large of National Re-
The act, as currently envisioned,
very nearly endless of things that
view and a nationally syndicated
should be renamed the Hiring Hall
need to be done - in Germany, one-
Act of 1993, not to be confused with
columnist.
quarter of the personnel of the Red
a point of light.
1 WANT YOUR FOR
MAYBE I COULD,
LIKE, SPY ON
MY PARENTS
NATIONAL
SERVICE
RECRUITING
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1993
The Washington Times
104
Welfare Reform Psychology
The Post's May 9 front-page story
structure whereby poor people decide
"Welfare Plan Begins to Emerge" made
that they cannot afford not to be poor"
a passing reference to a Clinton propos-
as households weigh the net effect of
al to raise the minimum wage from
higher earnings against increased taxes
$4.25 an hour to help welfare recipi-
and the loss of public assistance bene-
ents. A deeper look at this issue is
fits.
necessary. As The Post story indicates,
We applaud the president's desire to
an increase in the minimum wage would
"end welfare as we know it." But the
leave welfare households worse off.
evidence suggests that given the struc-
A 1992 study, "Higher Wages, Great-
ture of tax and transfer programs, an
er Poverty: Trapping Americans in Pov-
increase in the minimum wage would
erty," by economist Carlos Bonilla, re-
fail to have its intended effect-increas-
viewed the effect on poor households of
ing the quality of life for poor house-
California's minimum wage increase
holds with children-and would actually
from $3.35 to $4.25 an hour. Mr.
reduce work incentives for these house-
Bonilla found that a single parent of one
holds and decrease employment oppor-
child who works full time had resources
tunities. Mr. Clinton's welfare reform
(combined earnings and transfers) that
efforts should instead focus on increas-
are $1,800 lower than if the minimum
ing the value of work to a recipient and
wage had remained at the old level of
on changing the reward of work relative
$3.35 an hour. Moreover, 85 percent of
to dependency.
the increases in wages for low-income
RICHARD B. BERMAN
workers accrued back to the federal and
Executive Director
California governments. Mr. Bonilla
Employment Policies Institute
concluded that "we have created a
Washington
We Need a National Service Program
Denis P. Doyle's May 13 article
education. Despite the fact that Mr.
would be worth far more than
"Service Costs, Education Pays" has
Doyle dismisses the debt that many
$20,000. Each member would be
completely missed the point and, sub-
graduates face, the financial burden of
worth his or her weight in gold.
sequently, the validity of a national
higher education is real and often
JASON BANFIELD
service program. The author's argu-
overwhelming. If a student is fortu-
ment centers solely on the cost of the
Washington
nate enough to have half of his or her
program and relative "need" of the
education financed by a combination
prospective recipients, but it fails to
of parental contributions, scholarships
recognize the reciprocal relationship
etc., he or she may still be facing a
that is inherent within this proposal.
debt in excess of $25,000. Faced with
The Washington Post
Certainly, if the need of its recipi-
ents was the lone criterion for judging
large monthly payments, many of
EUGENE MEYER. 1875-1959
those students who long to make a
PHILIP L GRAHAM, 1915-1963
the merits of this program, I would
agree that it is yet another example of
difference simply cannot afford to do
DONALD E. GRAHAM
misplaced money. But this is not just
so. For other students, a national
Publisher
LEONARD DOWNIE JR.
MEG GREENFIELD
another government handout. A pro-
service program would be an opportu-
Executive Editor
Editorial Page Editor
gram of national service is not just
nity to work off some of their debt
ROBERT G. KAISER
STEPHEN 8. ROSENFELD
rather than default on their loans. Mr.
Managing Editor
Deputy Edt7 Page Editor
about subsidizing college education. It
is also about addressing one of our
Doyle laments the increasing number
THOMAS H. FERGUSON
President and General Manager
nation's most glaring weaknesses: the
of student loan defaults, but he fails to
VICE PRESIDENTS
lack of individuals committed to cur-
see that this might be partly because
BENJAMINC BRADLEE
At Large
MICHAEL CLURMAN
Production
ing our country's social ills. A pro-
of the magnitude of a graduate's debt.
HAVLICEK
Industrial /Environment
Counsel
gram of national service has the po-
Regardless of the students' motiva-
BOISFEUILLET JONES JR.
LIZABETH J. LOKER
Systems and Engineering
tential to show us how an effective
tions, we as a nation will benefit as we
THEODOREC .LUTZ
Business Manager
VINCENT B. REED
Communications
government can and should work.
begin to take advantage of a natural
MARGARET SCOTT SCHIFF Controiler/Pers/Admin.
Good government should solve our
resource that has largely gone un-
Published by The Washington Post Company
national problems by creating solu-
tapped. If we can get one homeless
KATHARINE GRAHAM
tions that are beneficial to all parties.
Clearly a program of national service
person off the street, if we can get
Chairman of the Board
DONALD E. GRAHAM
one person to break the cycle of
President and Chief Executive Officer
would meet this requirement. This
substance abuse, if we can give one
ALAN SPOON
country needs a corps committed to
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
social healing. Students need help
child hope for the future, each mem-
1150 15th St. NW Washington, D.C. 20071 (202) 334-6000
with the spiraling costs of higher
ber of a national service pro ram
THE WASHINGTON POST
FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1993
56
26
M' tary voters flocked to November e ect'on
Article
By William Matthews
Probably the biggest element in the high military
Times claff wrder
voter turnout was the Voting Assistance Program's
WASHINGTON - In & country where only about
increasing reliance on electronic communication to
A growing voice
half the eligible voters cast ballots, the military
help military voters, ahe said.
racked up an astonishing 81.1 percent voter partici-
Voting rates in the services increased between 1988 and
Almost all states permitted voting information and
Nattsve
1992 and are well above averages for the general public.
pation record in the 1992 presidential election.
blank absentee ballots to be (axed to voters.
Voting by military personnel soared last Novem-
Some states allowed completed ballots to be faxed
Voter participation in
Armed
General
ber M more of them than ever cast ballots in the
back to election officials. And the Voung Assistance
presidential elections,
forces
public
three-way race for president. members of Congress
Program operated toll-free telephone lines so mill-
1960 to 1992
81.1°
& I
and a scattering of state and local officials.
tary voters could call from 47 countries to ask ques-
According to the Federal Voting Amestance Pro-
tions and get help solving problems that might have
63.5
gram, the percentage of military personnel that cast
prevented them from voting, Taylor said.
55.3
from
49.7
52.6
53.9
55.9°
ballots was up from 63.5 percent in the 1968 prem-
Being able to receive ballots by fax and get help
50.1
dential election.
with problems by phone eliminated two of the big-
Voting by civilians pales by comparison.
gest impediments for military personnel, most of
Only 55.9 percent of the nation's eligible civilian
whom vote by absentee ballot, she said.
the
voters went to the poils. according to Phyllis Taylor,
And a growing number of states are expected to
Force
director of the Voung Assistance Program, a Penta-
accept completed ballots by fax in future elections,
gon-based government program untended to encour-
she said.
age and assist military personnel on voting.
1980
1984
1988
1992
Among the services, the Coast Guard had the
Alimes
A number of factors helped spur military voters to
highest rate of voter participation with 84.3 perment.
cast ballots, Taylor said.
Voter participation by service
1992*
1988*
The Army had the lowest at 73.2 percent. The Nevy
a percent)
A key factor was the unusual three-way presiden-
had 80.5 percent; the Marine Corps, 819 percent
tial race between Republican incumbent George
and the Air Force, 82.4 percent.
82.4
80.5
81.9
84.3
Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton and independent Rom
74.3
73.2
Perot.
Taylor said she believes the services can do even
65
67.3
better in the future.
59.6
And the race featured a number of issues of partie-
56.4
ular interest to the military.
"I don't think we have topped out yet."
Clinton promised deeper cuts in military strength
In response to a survey, only 5 percent of military
and military spending than Bush did.
personnel said they were not interested in voting,
Clinton also vowed to lift the ban against homo-
"ao 1 wonder why we didn't have 96 percent partici-
sexuals in the services.
pation" in 1992, Taylor said.
And there was the question of whether Clinton
Having more toll-free phone lines for dispensing
had dodged the draft
your information and solving voter problems and in-
Air Force
But like most civilian voters, military personnel
creasing the use of fax machines to receive and send
Navy
Army
Marine
Cosst
"Prollmanary results
Corps
Guard
also were deeply interested in such issues as the
ballots should increase voting among members of the
economy, education and taxes, Taylor said.
military, she said.
Source: Federal Voting Assistance Program
ATTO
Laura
Military spin proposed for national service program
By Grant Willis
or companies, Jones mid.
the GI Bill and the Peace Corps, helping to
tary's education program.
Times sall writer
Once volunteers are trained. he said,
create a new era of prosperity for a genera-
On the other hand, the GI Bill is worth
WASHINGTON Veterans who miss
they would go out into communities to per-
tion of Americans and nurturing a more
more money over time than the national
the atmosphere of the barracks and want a
form useful services.
compassionate, public-spirited conscious-
service benefit.
chance to instill discipline in young people
For example, Jones said, donated com-
Dass among our citizens," according to a
While civilian volunteers would get &
could find a new calling as counseiors in
puters now gathering dust in local high
prepared statement released by Rep. WIL
maximum $10,000, the military pays veter-
the Clinton administration's proposed na-
schools could become useful if trained no-
liam D. Ford, D-Mich., the committee
ans for as many M 36 months of full-time
tional service program. mid a former chair-
tional service volunteers could go to the
chairman.
study.
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
schools and teach computer skills to
But Rep. William F. Goodling of Pennsyl-
That would place the two-year veteran's
Retired Air Force Gen. David Jones,
students.
vania, the committee's senior Republican,
total benefit at $11,700, or a net $10,500 af-
speaking May 19 to the House Education
Committee members had no reaction to
complained that the national service volun-
ter the enrollment fee is taken into
and Labor Committee, proposed making
the proposal because they recessed the
teers would get & better deal than people
account.
unused buildings at military bases available
hearing to attend a House voting season
who join the military.
as "mini boot camps" for national service
and excused Jones immediately after he
"It's a slap in the face at Gla.
You
Rep. Dave McCurdy, D-Okla., answered
volunteers.
spoke.
serve three years, seven days a week. 24
Goodling's objections by noting that the
Although the military would not run the
Jones told Air Force Times that the -
chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs
hours a day, and you pay into the (Mont-
boot camps. Jones said, veterans or active-
vices have not formally endorsed his pro-
gemery GI Bill) program," said Goodling,
Committee, Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgom-
duty members could volunteer their time to
possi. although he said Army Gen. Colin L
one of & handful of lawmakers on the com-
cry, D-Miss, has co-sponsored the bill.
supervise the national service participants
Powell, chairman of the JCS, had seen it
mittee who criticised the legislation.
Negotiations with veterans' groups
in the camps.
and was "supportive."
"It would take me a lot of smoke and
shaped the current proposal, McCurdy said,
Jones said that while on base, national
Gen. Marrill A. McPeak. the Air Force
mirrors to convince me that this is not bet-
and the stipends volunteers will get in addi-
service participants should be expected to
chief of staff. also had seen the proposal,
ter than the GI Bill" he added.
tion to their service would be minimal com-
live like service members and to follow the
Jones said.
Strict comparisons between the educa-
pared with the benefits the government
same rules, including random drug testing
The House is considering legislation that
tion benefit of the proposed national service
pays to veterans.
with no notice.
would, among other things, offer Amen-
program and the Montgomery GI Bill are
"In my military career of more than 40
cane 17 and older a chance to volunteer for
problematic, because military recruits and
"It's enough higher that Mr. Montgom-
years, I have seen how military life trans-
community service work in exchange for
national service volunteers would face so
cry was comfortable with it," a Montgom-
formed attitudes and behaviors of young
educational assistance.
many differences in other benefits, pay and
ary aide said in a telephone interview.
men and women. particularly those from
Volunteers would earn the minimum
risks or rewards of service.
Jones. in an interview after the hearing,
disadvantaged backgrounds.' said Jones,
wage and get health- or child-care benefits.
The Montgomery GI Bill pays the typical
said the national service program would
who led the Joint Chiefs from June 1978 to
The education benefit would be $5,000
two-year veteran $3,900 per year, less than
not hurt incentives to join the military.
June 1982.
for each year of full-time service or two
the $5,000 per year a national service vol-
Only half the 150,000 national service
The camps would house young people
years of part-time service, up to a maxi-
unter would get for the same amount of
volunteers expected by 1997 likely would be
while they attend daily training sessions in
mum award of $10,000.
part-time work. In addition. service mem-
in the 16- to 21-year-old group sought by
specific job skills sponsored by universities
"This legislation builds on the legacies of
bere must pay $1,200 to enroll th the mili-
military recruiters, he said.
NWESU: National Service Office Utilizing Many 20-Somethings
Weekend Edition (NPR) Sunday, May 30, 1993
Transcript #1021 Segment #4
National Service office Utilizing Many 20-Somethings
LIANE HANSEN, Host: By handing the reigns of the White House
communications office to 51-year-old David Gergen, President Clinton has
answered critics who've attacked the relative youth and inexperience of his
staff, including President Bush's former spokesman Marlin Fitzwater who
said, `A few more fat, old bald men wouldn't hurt the place.' Other
administrations have had many 30- and 40-somethings in top jobs but there
have never been so many people in their twenties in the White House. Take
the National Service Office - its mission is to create a multi-billion
dollar program that would pay college tuition for young people who agree to
work at community service jobs. Many on the staff are barely out of
college themselves. NPR's Ira Glass has more.
IRA GLASS, Reporter: Most nights, if you stop by the National Service
Office in the old executive office building next door to the White House,
by seven or so, most people are going home. Robert Gordon is a policy
analyst, age 21, or as he puts it-
ROBERT GORDON, Clinton Policy Analyst: Turning 22 soon.
GLASS: He sits across from Phil Kaplan, who's 29, or as he prefers-
PHIL KAPLAN: Almost 30.
GLASS: Kaplan's one of few people working late this particular night
and Robert Gordon says that contrary to what you may have heard about
all-nighters in the White House, the work day has slowed to something
approximating what normal people work. They come in about eight in the
morning and leave around seven.
Mr. GORDON: Yeah, it's gotten a lot quieter and also just the pace of
the day isn't so bad. There's less running down the hallway, less people
screaming that -if this doesn't happen, the bill's not going to go up on
time' and things like that.
GLASS: A bunch of young staffers drop by Gordon's desk, inviting him
Weekend Edition - Sunday (NPR) #1021-4
Page #1
2'd
2028 AIC 9N3 OICNA NPR 08:01 E6, E0 NNI
to a reception for the Next Progressive, a magazine targeted to politically
active 20-somethings.
Mr. GORDON: Don't you sort of hate this in principle?
GLASS: The TWAC thing' someone asks? TWAC is a term another staffer coined.
Ethan zindler [sp] explains. TWAC, T-W-A-C, stands for `Twenty-somethings With
A Cause.'
ETHAN ZINDLER: It's sort of a sarcastic term that we made up for young
people and this sort of ridiculous amount of media that the people in this
building and in the White House have gotten for being young and doing all
kinds of crazy things we're want to do.
GLASS: They're tired of all the hype over the fact that they simply
exist and the notion of a party thrown by their peers, by their peers,
celebrating the fact that they're young and in politics, is a bit much for
Robert Gordon.
Mr. GORDON: It's great that young people become leaders and that young
people take responsibility and they become activists but I guess I don't
feel like we need to be identified as such.
GLASS: The National Service Office occupies five rooms in the old executive
office buildings, five rooms for 20 people who spend their days
at big, old wooden desks. The ceilings are two stories high and there's
lots of natural light, so despite the clatter there's a pleasant, airy
grandeur to the rooms. They've nicknamed the biggest room, The Romper
Room.' The inhabitants there are sometimes called `the kids' or 'the
children.' In a corner sit Ethan Zindler, who's 23, and Chris Gallagher,
who's 24, or as he puts it-
CHRIS GALLAGHER: Just turned 24.
GLASS: His feet are up on his desk. He wears dress clothes, a tie and
a red-and-white Travs' baseball cap from-
Mr. GALLAGHER: The AAA baseball team from Little Rock, Arkansas,
which, during the campaign, we used to go out and watch their games. only
true Clinton heads still have the Trave paraphernalia in the White House.
GLASS: of the 20 people with desks in the National Service office,
only seven are actually on the White House payroll. Another seven or
eight, including Ethan and Chris, are officially on the payroll of other
government agencies and are detailed to the White House. This bookkeeping
trick is helping Bill Clinton meet his targeted 25 percent reduction in the
White House staff. Most of the 20-somethings in the White House got their
jobs by being true Clinton heads, by working for the Clinton campaign,
usually in the pressurized Little Rock headquarters. They include a
disproportionate number from well-off families, from prep schools and Ivy
League universities, from backgrounds where they could afford to take off a
year and work for a campaign. As Gloria Johnson, of the National Service
Weekend Edition - Sunday (NPR) #1021-4
Page #2
JUN 03 '93 10:31 NPR AUDIO ENG DIV 202-822-2482
Office, remembers Little Rock-
GLORIA JOHNSON, National Service Office: You were dealing with people
who, in an ironic way, [were] privileged to really still believe in the
American system and the promise that it could bring to all Americans and
really functioned out of that framework.
GLASS: There's still idealism in this office. Engage anyone on the
subject of national service and they respond with energy and enthusiasm.
And there are even volunteers here, like Jim Kriedler, 24, who simply believes
in community service. He's worked in soup kitchans and
Meals-On-Wheels and run Boy Scout community projects. He was just given a
paid White House job after volunteering here for three months.
JIM GRIDLER: I was committed. I had been living in California, I
moved back here to Washington and moved in with my parents so I wouldn't
have to pay rent, you know, just totally focused everything that I had on
working in this office because I really believed in this program and what
it can do to really change America.
GLASS: Strange as it may sound, there are hundreds of volunteers in
the White House, partly to make up for the 25 percent staff reduction. In
this office all the receptionists, all the clerical help, all the data
entry people - they're all volunteer - six regular unpaid staff, all young.
Taped up in the corner where Chris Gallagher and Ethan Zindler sit are a
clip from Newsweek and an editorial cartoon, both making fun of the young
people in the White House. `Government by all-nighters is getting tired,'
one clip says, Go to sleep and get a life.' Ethan and Chris have heard
all the critics, who blame the problems in the White House on the abundance
of young people.
Mr. ZINDLER: I get a little bit concerned when you see all these
stories that people might actually think there's a bunch of kids running
the White House and that's not the case at all.
Mr. GALLAGHER: There was an article a couple of days ago where they
were saying that, you know, the kids staying up all night eating pizzas and
drinking Coke are making decisions about whether we use force in Bosnia.
That's just not true. Anybody that picked up a newspaper and has taken a
look at Warren Christopher, although I don't know him personally, I don't
really picture him staying up all night with Domino's and a Coke.
GLASS: In fact, the 20-somethings in the White House work as
lower-level staff. This office, for example, is run by the 50-year-old E11
Segel, a Boston businessman and political operator. Legislative strategy is
run by 37-year-old Jack Lew (sp), a veteran of eight years in the House
Speaker's office. The 20-somethings work as all-purpose assistants - they
write; they contribute ideas; they deal with Capitol Hill and with interest
groups; they do the legwork that makes things happen. And because National
Service is a program aimed at young people, they do certain jobs that are
uniquely suited to someone in his or her twenties. Ethan Zindler and Kate
Frusher [sp], who sits on the other side of The Romper Room,' are
Weekend Edition - Sunday (NPR) #1021-4
Page #3
9'd
JUN 03 '93 10:34 NPR AUDIO ENG DIV 202-822-2482
American system and the promise that it could bring to all Americans and
really functioned out of that framework.
GLASS: There's still idealism in this office. Engage anyone on the
subject of national service and they respond with energy and enthusiasm.
And there are even volunteers here, like Jim Kriedler, 24, who simply believes
in community service. He's worked in soup kitchens and
Meals-On-Wheels and run Boy Scout community projects. He was just given a
paid White House job after volunteering here for three months.
JIM GRIDLER: I was committed. I had been living in California, I
moved back here to Washington and moved in with my parents so I wouldn't
have to pay rent, you know, just totally focused everything that I had on
working in this office because I really believed in this program and what
it can do to really change America.
GLASS: Strange as it may sound, there are hundreds of volunteers in
the White House, partly to make up for the 25 percent staff reduction. In
this office all the receptionists, all the clerical help, all the data
entry people - they're all volunteer - six regular unpaid staff, all young.
Taped up in the corner where Chris Gallagher and Ethan Zindler sit are a
clip from Newsweek and an editorial cartoon, both making fun of the young
people in the White House. `Government by all-nighters is getting tired,
one clip says, Go to sleep and get a life.' Ethan and Chris have heard
all the critics, who blame the problems in the White House on the abundance Y'
of young people.
Mr. ZINDLER: I get a little bit concerned when you see all these
stories that people might actually think there's a bunch of kids running
the White House and that's not the case at all.
Mr. GALLAGHER: There was an article a couple of days ago where they
were saying that, you know, the kids staying up all night eating pizzas and
drinking Coke are making decisions about whether we use force in Bosnia.
That's just not true. Anybody that picked up a newspaper and has taken a
look at Warren Christopher, although I don't know him personally, I don't
really picture him staying up all night with Domino's and a Coke.
GLASS: In fact, the 20-somethings in the White House work as
lower-level staff. This office, for example, is run by the 50-year-old Eli
Segel, a Boston businessman and political operator. Legislative strategy is
run by 37-year-old Jack Lew [sp], a veteran of eight years in the House
Speaker's office. The 20-somethings work as all-purpose assistants - they
write; they contribute ideas; they deal with Capitol Hill and with interest
groups; they do the legwork that makes things happen. And because National
Service is a program aimed at young people, they do certain jobs that are
uniquely suited to someone in his or her twenties. Ethan Zindler and Kate
Frusher [sp], who sits on the other side of The Romper Room, are
Weekend Edition - Sunday (NPR) #1021-4
Page #3
AIC 9N3 OICNA AdN 23:32 E6. E0 NNI
designing ways to sell committee service to college-age students.
KATE FRUSHER: Young people are really alienated, alienated from
communities, don't feel like they're involved in this and see service as
kind of geeky. It's not a cool thing to do yet. That doesn't mean we have
to fabricate an image. It means that we have to show the faces of the
people who are doing it that they identify with, to make it something cool,
because it is cool.
GLASS: It was Ethan's idea for the president to appear on MTV,
explaining the National Service Program when it unveiled in March. And
Ethan is trying to talk his office mate Chris into appearing in Sassy, the
hip magazine with attitude for teenage girls.
Mr. ZINDLER: You can make light of it and stuff but if young people
read Sassy then we want to be in Sassy magazine. If young people watch
MTV, we want to be on MTV and it's that simple.
Mr. GALLAGHER: I mean, the- my image- it's so embarrass- I mean, it's
just kind- you know, opening a magazine and being called like Sassy `Guy of
the Month.
Mr. ZINDLER: You're not Sassy Guy of the Month,' don't flatter
yourself.
Mr. GALLAGHER: Hey, if I'm not Sassy Guy of the Month, I'm not doing
it. That's all.
GLASS: The most striking thing about visiting this office is how well
everyone seems to get along. They've been through a lot together during
the campaign and have the intimacy that comes with that. These are not the
power hungry, self-centered 20-somethings portrayed in the Doonsbury comics
about the administration. Instead, there's a friendly, loose collegiality
in the office that feels a lot like a political campaign.
RICK ALLEN: There's still something of a campaign structure, the very,
you know, all doors are open at pretty much all times. People can sit in
on meetings, even if it's not really in their subject area.
GLASS: Rick Allen has a long fancy title that translates to chief of
staff of the National Service Office.
Mr. ALLEN: I think that you've got a meritocracy in a way that a
campaign, at its best, develops.
Mr. ZINDLER: If you have an idea, let's say, it's not always going to
be acted upon, necessarily, if you're a young person at my level-
GLASS: Ethan Zindler.
Mr. ZINDLER: -but you know that if you want it to be, it'll be
listened to by people who can make it happen, and there are people who are
Weekend Edition - Sunday (NPR) #1021-4
Page #4
JUN 03 '93 10:33 NPR AUDIO ENG DIV 202-822-2482
P.5
receptive to those ideas. That hasn't changed at all. I mean, that
wonderful thing about the campaign is that is was about a free flow of
eas.
GLASS: Not all White House offices are running this way. In some,
younger staff members complain about hierarchies that shut them out of `the
loop.' And some people look back with nostalgia to the campaign - when the
goal was simple; when they all shared one big office; when they could at
least count on Democrate to support Bill Clinton; and when, they say, it
was easier to be idealistic without the compromises and difficulties of
actually running the government. They are well aware of the president's
problems, but devoting their days to him, surrounded by other Clinton
loyalists, they seem sincere when they say, they still believe President
Clinton can change this country, as he promised. In Washington, I'm Ira
Glass.
[The preceding text has been professionally transcribed. However, in
order to meet rigid distribution and transmission deadlines, it has not
been proofread against audio tape and cannot, for that reason, be
guaranteed as to the accuracy of speakers' words or spelling.)
was twice dismissed by lower courts,
home in Berkeley to propose a
reinstated by the Supreme Court in a
He told her that her call was a fanta-
sy come true, a way to tell his story and
best-seller. Finally, he complained
1991 ruling, which said that fabricated
her that the deacons of analysis, Kurt
quotations could be libelous only if they
perhaps win vindication. And who bet-
Eissler and Anna Freud, treated him
materially changed a speaker's mean-
ter than Ms. Malcolm to do it!
"like an intellectual gigolo," enjoying
ing, and finally heard here.
"I knew you could write," he later
Recei
his astringent views int private but
There was general agreement from
told her, his words recorded on 40
With
shunning him in public.
the start that libel law would not be
hours of tape that were played time
The themes of these remarks, wheth-
ADV
reshaped in Judge Lynch's 17th floor
and again for the jurors. "I knew you
er or not the specific words were said,
Idea
courtroom. But the testimony offered
knew something about the subject.' He
were ones that Mr. Masson returned to
Sued
an unusual, and largely unflattering,
added: "And I know I can reveal a lot
in his months with Ms. Malcolm. And it
Cord
peek at how journalism was practiced
of these sexual things because I know
was this repetition, Ms. Malcolm said,
Inno
at one of America's literary institu-
pornography is not part of the New
that guided her literary decision to
Conto
tions, a magazine that in its 58 years
Yorker. You're not going to give the
combine words spoken at different
Shape
has printed landmark works of non-
lush details of it."
times and in different places into
Cramp
fiction and fiction like Rachel Carson's
But lush details were, in fact, part of
seamless monologues that are not lit-
Down
"Silent Spring" and J.D. Salinger's
the two-part profile by Ms. Malcolm
eral renderings of events.
Hiking
Water
Light
Good.1
Aides Say Clinton Will Drop Rights Nominee
Breatha
Colors:
(Womer
Green
Continued From Page Al
Mens
Asked today about Ms. Guinier, Mr.
Ms. Guinier, a 43-year-old law pro-
Women
Clinton said: "I think that I have to talk
fessor at the University of Pennsylva-
Priced At
make more such visits next week. She
to some of the senators about it be-
nia, has been the focus of criticism
met with the editorial board of The
cause of the reservations that have
because of her scholarly writings in
New York Times today, and a Justice
been raised both publicly and private-
which she argues that majority rule is
Receive
Department official said she had also
ly.
often insufficient to guarantee blacks
T-Shirt
met with the editorial board of The
"I want to reaffirm two positive
their fair share in the political process.
things about her. One is everyone can
In articles in the University of Michi-
Washington Post.
see she is a first-rate civil rights law-
gan and University of Virginia law
On Tuesday, Administration officials
said that several top White House aides
yer, and no real civil rights lawyer has
reviews, Ms. Guinier has written that
ever held that position before - some-
even if blacks are elected, they will
believed that the Guinier nomination
would have to be withdrawn, and a
one who's made a career of it.
always be in the minority and may be
"Secondly, I think any reasonable
outvoted and ignored as important de-
senior Democratic Senator also said as
cisions are made. For such cases, she
many as two dozen Democrats in the
reading of her writings would lead
Senate had told the White House the
someone to conclude that a lot of the
has proposed several alternative vot-
nomination should be withdrawn. The
attacks cannot be supported by a fair
ing schemes to enlarge the influence of
black lawmakers.
Senator, who declined to be identified,
reading of the writings. And that's not
to say that I agree with everything in
Her supporters say that her views
also said Ms. Guinier would not be able
have been distorted and that her pro-
to win approval in the Senate Judiciary
the writings. I don't. But I think that a
Committee.
lot of what has been said is not accu-
posed solutions would only apply in
rate. On the other hand, I have to take
isolated cases of extremely resistant
racism.
into account where the Senate is and I
Youth Service 'Boot Camp'
will be doing that and talking to them. I
Asked by reporters today how much
think until I do that, I should have
of Ms. Guinier's writings the President
SAN FRANCISCO, June 3, (AP) -
nothing else to say."
had read, Mr. Stephanopoulos replied:
"I think he's read some summaries of
An island naval base that was a staging
One other incident in Mr. Clinton's
ground for thousands of sailors in
recent past shows that when he offers
her writings recently since the nomina-
tion."
World War II is now being used as a
seemingly half-hearted words of
model "boot camp" for a home-front
support for an embattled nominee, that
He said he could not say if Mr. Clin-
Peace Corps. Hundreds of 17- to 25-
person ought to not quit her current job
ton had read any of Ms. Guinier's writ-
year-olds will meet at the Treasure
too soon.
ings before the nomination.
White House officials aid the nature
Island base in San Francisco Bay on
When public opinion began to turn
June 20 for a weeklong training camp
of Ms. Guinier's writings had been
sharply against Zoë Baird amid a furor
as part of Summer of Service, Presi-
weighed before her nomination as As-
over her hiring of two illegal immi-
dent Clinton's national program of
sistant Attorney General for civil
871 Brc
grants as household workers, the Pres-
community service in 11 cities, includ-
rights was publicly announced on April
ident's first choice to be Attorney Gen-
29.
ing Newark and New York. Almost
eral, Mr. Clinton and his spokesmen
(212) 255-8
1,500 young people will attend the camp
said they had no plans to withdraw
in the first step of an $8 billion project
their support, an expression similar to
that Mr. Clinton envisions as a pilot
More national news
one offered by official White House
program for a year-round domestic
spokesmen today. Soon afterward, the
appears on page D22.
*Regular UPS
Peace Corps with 25,000 workers.
Baird nomination was soon withdrawn.
NYT
6/3/93
stemmed, not surpris-
comes from segregating black voters
ment plan that concentrated black vot-
ingly. from her distrust of the demo-
into black-majority districts. This
ers into state legislative districts even
cratic process and her failure to ac-
strategy may not only cap the num-
though there was no evidence of dis-
knowledge African-Americans sig-
ber of blacks in the House but also cut
crimination or obstacles to voters'
Guinier's views
nificant progress under the Voting
them off from white voters whose
ability to elect candidates of choice.
Rights Act. She favors artificial
support black politicians need to win
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, writing
schemes for increasing the political
governorships and Senate seats.
for the Court, declared, "The state
are shortsighted.
power of ethnic minorities.
The zeal to draw black-majority
may create any district it might de-
I disagree. African-Americans, for
districts has led to the creation of
sire, so long as minority voting
bizarre ones like North Carolina's
strength is not diluted as a result."
Carol M. Swain, assistant professor of
12th, a serpentine monstrosity that
In the Voinovich case, four black
bents from opponents, but it virtually
politics and public affairs at Prince-
runs 160 miles along Interstate 85. It
Democrats - Mike Espy of Mississip-
precludes further gains. As other mi-
ton. is author of "Black Faces, Black
connects communities in far-flung
pi (now the Secretary of Agriculture),
norities such as Asians and, especial-
Interests: The Representation of Af-
parts of the state that have little in
Louis Stokes of Ohio, Craig Washing-
ly, Latinos gain ground. blacks and
rican Americans in Congress."
common other than race. Foes of the
ton of Texas and Alan Wheat of Mis-
whites constitute declining propor-
tions of the national population. Since
the turnout of black voters is smaller
than that of whites voters, and since
the black population is becoming less
What Price Patriotism?
geographically concentrated, black-
majority districts do not seem a
promising way to significantly in-
crease blacks' representation.
By Michael S. McPherson
al service, pay back the loan and get a
from taxpayers, either through for-
If black candidates run mostly in
job. (By the time the program is
giving more loans or raising the sti-
black districts, those who want to run
and Morton Owen Schapiro
phased in, between 1994 and 1997, the
pend for public service. Supporters of
for governor or the Senate will face
job market for college graduates
national service may conclude that
an added disadvantage. Not only will
ow much would
should be booming again.) Today, a
Americans won't stand for more tax-
they lack connections to influential
H
you pay for the privi-
freshly minted college graduate can
es to pay for it. But if taxpayers are
white voters whose support they
lege of serving your
earn $24,000 working for the Govern-
too selfish to pay, why should we
need, they will have accumulated lit-
country? If Presi-
ment - arguably itself a form of
service. The graduate who signs up,
suppose young volunteers will prove
tle experience in developing and
dent Clinton's pro-
maintaining biracial coalitions.
posed national serv-
taking a minimum-wage national
An increasing number of blacks
ice plan gets off the ground, a lot of
service job, will give up about $15,000
have been elected in mainly white
in income to save $5,000 in loan pay-
young people will ask themselves that
National service
jurisdictions at all levels of govern-
ments - a loss of $10,000. Students
question. Evidently the designers of
ment. Virginia elected Douglas L.
who serve for the allotted two years
the plan must hope the appetite for
stand to lose $20,000.
and your pocket.
Wilder as Governor. Alan Wheat,
sacrifice IS strong.
Democrat of Missouri, was first elect-
Even with a very favorable tax
Here's the deal. To get $5,000 in
ed to the House in 1982 from an 80
treatment, this is a steep price for
school loans forgiven, graduates will
percent white district, Gary Franks,
service. People who make a lot more
have to work for a year in national
Republican of Connecticut, was first
money don't donate that much to
to be exceptionally altruistic in decid-
elected in 1990 in a district that is 4
service, with a guaranteed minimum-
charity; it seems silly to assume
ing to serve?
wage stipend of a little under $9,000,
percent black.
young graduates would.
typically in schools, parks, the auxi-
A well-conceived and economically
There is no reason why blacks
Until a couple of days before the
lary police and similar jobs.
sound national service plan could' re-
elected in white-majority districts
program was announced in April, the
The alternative is to pass up nation-
new America's spirit and self-confi-
can't represent the preferences of
cost of participating was going to be
dence and broaden the experience
black voters and still find favor with
less. At the last minute, President
Michael S. McPherson and Morton
and understanding of our young peo-
whites. Mr. Wheat, who consistently
Clinton cut the ceiling on annual loan
Owen Schapiro are economics profes-
forgiveness to $5,000 from $6,500, in-
ple.
holds positions favored by national
sors at, respectively, Williams Col-
creasing the expense to our minimum
But a program that sets the price of
black leaders, has been re-elected
wage-earning student by 18 percent.
service too high will never get off the
with wide margins. Mr. Franks's
lege and the University of Southern
In order to reduce the sacrifice
ground. A failed national service plan
support of G.O.P. initiatives reminds
California They wrote "Keeping Col-
everyone that not all blacks are lib-
lege Affordable: Government and
asked of young people, the Govern-
would be worse, much worse, than
eral Democrats.
Educational Opportunity."
ment would require more sacrifice
nothing.
Blacks are divided on how best to
increase their representation. They'll
achieve that goal when they and other
voting rights advocates fully recog-
nize that whites will elect blacks and
that white politicians often represent
the needs of black voters.
NYT
6/3/93
JUN-02-93 WED 11:01
P. 02
THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE
MARY F. CALVERT Staff photos
Robin Brown, left, is a member of East Bay
in the Summer of Services Program as de-
Conservation Corps, which will participate
scribed by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.
Treasured
opportunity
By Josette Medina
STAFF WRITER
Almost 1,500 young Americans - including
about 250 volunteers who will help rebuild
abandoned homes in Oakland - will train this
month at Treasure Island for President Clin-
Wednesday, June 2. 1993
ton's Summer of Service program.
The Navy base was designated as the "boot
camp" training site for the pilot program by
Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt at a news con-
ference at Treasure Island on Tuesday.
"What we are witnessing today IS the begin-
ning of a great national movement." Babbitt
said. "We must provide the opportunity for ev-
ery single American to come to serve their
country."
Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, speaks at a
news conference on Treasure Island.
Please see Youth, B-2
JUN-02-93 WED 11:03
red Heart,
Oringa. Liear grandmume VI
P. 03
-76); S!.
15. Also survived by two sis-
Y School,
ters, three brothers and many
immacu-
nieces and nephews.
in community
sale is in escrow
riland, OR
Friends are invited to call
Oakland
returned to
at me Chapel of the Chimes,
Continued from B-1
Continued from B-1
Dominican
4499 Predmont Avenue, Oak-
land on Thursday, June 3,
Cops seek gunman: A gun-
1993 at 7:00 p.m. and to attend
The Clinton administration
Meanwhile, a deal worked 0
ednesday,
v) 11 a.m.
funeral services on Friday,
man who killed an Oakland
envisions the Summer of Service
in 1990 by Berkeley Mayor Lo
ninican Sis-
June 4, 1993 at 1:00 P.M. in-
man after a short foot chase was
26 Mission
terment at Mt. View Ceme-
being sought by police Monday.
program as a domestic version of
Hancock to keep the Rep
CA with
tery. In lieu of flowers,
donations to your favorite
The dead man was identified as
the Peace Corps. Participants,
Berkeley by allowing the theat
Burial being
am. Burial
charity will be appreciated.
who were selected from local
to buy the three buildings imm
Cemetery
Chapel of the Chimes
Edward L. Goree, 25, who was
IV June 3,
Oakland Martuary
killed about 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
programs and colleges. will be
diately west along Addisc
HIS may be
654-0123
Mother Pia
Sgt. Jim Emery said Goree was
paid minimum wage and given
Street for expansion has still n
Fund c/o
WORDEN, RALPH A.
at a phone booth at Second Ave-
81,000 scholarships to the col-
been consummated.
ster's, P.O.
of Oakland on May 31, 1993.
I San Jose,
Dearly beloved husband of
nue and Foothill Boulevard. A
leges of their choice.
Medak said the Rep and ti
The intensive. six-day training
Anne Worden. Loving father
car pulled up. and a man
owner of the three building
h Mortuary
of Raiph William Worden,
jumped out with a pistol drawn.
session on the Navy base is
Bruce Williamson. agreed upon
# Blvd.
Norman Lee Worden, Glen
Avery Worden, Judy Ann
Emery said. Goree ran with the
scheduled to begin June 20 be-
$1.5 million price and on finar
10)656-1226
Newman; dear step-father of
fore its participants disperse to
Lavina Speeiman, Myle
man pursuing him and shooting
ing terms. But they are still ne,
ARE R.
'focus attention on inner
Cockerham, Claudia Dairs,
at him. Emery said and was hit
tiating about who will pay 1
any of Oak-
Deborah Birch and Richard
cities." said Sen. Dianne
93. Husband
Derrick. Dearest brother of
several times. He collapsed in
cost of needed toxic cleanup.
Harrison. A
Raymond, Lyle, Leland,
Feinstein. D-Calif.
e.s. of San
the 100 block of East 16th
Street and died later at Highland
Also taking part at the news
"For many years, the but
Larry, Doris, Vera, Shirley
an active
and the late Evelyn. Devoted
grandfather of 18 grandchil-
conference were California Dem-
ings were occupied by an at
e of Uklah,
rs.
dren and five great-
Hospital.
ocratic Reps. Nancy Pelosi and
glass shop and two auto bc
nvited to at-
grandchildren.
irsday, June
A native of Limon, Colo-
Hills inspections postponed:
Anna Eshoo, San Francisco
repair shops, 50 you can imag
p.m. at the
rado, age 68 years.
Mayor Frank Jordan and other
what kind of damage was don
Vard Chapel
Friends are invited to at-
The first round of fire inspec-
the soil," she said.
Jesus Christ
tend services today, June 2,
tions of hills properties. sched-
officials.
Saints, 4780
1993 at 10:30 a.m. at Hillview
liskland with
Baptist Church, 7309 Greenly
uled to have begun Tuesday.
Participants, ages 17 to 25.,
Berkeley Rep wants to use
n officiating.
Dr., Oakland. Interment Roll-
was postponed until next week
will perform eight weeks of com-
Williamson properties for a SC
our prior to
ing Hills Cemetery, Richmond.
the Church.
SANTOS-ROBINSON MORTUARY
because informational fliers
munity service in 16 cities, in-
ery shop and warehouse spa
y be made to
incer Society,
SAN LEANDRO
483-0123
have not been printed. fire offi-
cluding Oakland. Los Angeles,
and ultimately a second m
Oakland, CA
clais said. Captain Don Parker
Philadelphia and New York City.
stage. The theater currer
nt Summit,
YOUNG, ROBERT W.
if information
said firefighters plan to leave fli-
They'll help clean up neighbor-
rents space in Emeryville and
Born November 11, 1921 in
hood parks, assist in health care
Gilman Street in Berkeley.
Mason City, lowa; died May
ers when residents are not home
rai Chapel
# St.
27, 1993 in Sacramento, Cal-
during the initial visits. Mea-
services for children and rebuild
consolidating the facilities W(
532-6068.
fiornia. He was a resident of
El Cerrito, California for 38
sures needed to make properties
condemned and abandoned
be a cost-saver, said Rich
n Director
years. He is survived by his
comply with fire codes will be re-
buildings.
Griffoul. director of marke
arshell, Johnny
loving wife Jennie Young:
'A, May 27,
daughters Gloria Oranie and
corded on the notice.
Treasure Island was chosen as
for Berkeley Rep.
other of
Roberta Buffum of Sacramen-
the training site because the ad-
leston, Mary
to; loving sister Derothy
Coffer of Hayward, California;
Power fails: About 4,400 ad-
ministration wanted to use a mil-
amie Childres.
of Conehatts,
six grandchildren; three
dresses near Lake Merritt were
itary base slated for possible
sided in Al-
nieces and one nephew.
He was a member of
left in the dark Tuesday after-
rk from early
closure, said Eli Segal, assistant
NE
to moving to
VFW Post 703, American La-
noon when a power line fell at
in 1989.
gion. and the North Congre-
to the president and director of
will be allowed
gational Church; all of
the intersection of Stow and
the Office of National Service.
June 2, 1993
Berkeley. He was a retired
7 p.m. Funer-
safety coordinator for the city
Wayne avenues. said PG&E offi-
"These young people will be
DELIV
1 be held on
of Bereley.
cials. The utility company
coming from all different parts of
. 3, 1993 at
Sunset Lown
spokeswoman said the section
@ Chapel of the
the country and all different
1 Home, 1331
Chapel of the Chimes
of utility line came down at
AVAII
Barkeley, CA.
Sacraments
(916)922-5833
backgrounds - rich. poor.
about 3:10 p.m. Power was re-
formation call
black. white, Latino, Asian (and)
15-1231
stored to 90 percent of the af-
Native American." said Cather-
IN
JAMES W.
86-Funeral Directory
fected homes and businesses by
ine Milton, director of the Com-
May 29, 1993.
3:40 p.m. and to another 8 per-
mission on National and
md of Martlyn
CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES
of Richmond;
cent by 5 p.m. The remaining 2
Community Service." which ad-
ov, Jota, and
Oakland
654-0123
percent of affected customers
Herre and step-
Alameda
865-5088
ministers the program.
r Rhodes. Dear
had power restored later in the
The
it; also survived
McNARY-MORGAN-
ves and friends.
ENGEL & JACKSON
evening.
In Oakland under the pro-
& Ventress, LA,
gram. about 50 people from the
PRE-NEED INFORMATION
Richmond
e invited to at
Complete Cremation-Funeral
East Bay Conservation Corps
hour Thursday,
& Cemetery Plans 569-1262
will hammer out their building
from 3 , p.m.
WHITTED WILLIAMS
Series of car burglaries: Sev-
skills while assisting a non-prof-
Dison Mortuay,
eral residents of Richmond's
CAL
FUNERAL HOME
to Avenue, AF
it home construction organiza-
services will be
Complete Funeral $1395
Panhandle Annex neighborhood
tion in a five-year effort to build
June 4, 1993 at
Oakland
261-1105
were the victims of a rash of car
the Etis-Olson
40 low-income family homes.
erment at St.
break-ins Monday night and
83
tery, San Pable.
88-Cremation
N MORTUARY
early Tuesday morning, police
"This will (get) kids from more
Directory
25-0246
said. Sgt. Bob Flores said at least
private backgrounds to see what
17 cars were broken into and
goes on in other neighborhoods
I
SAYVIEW CHAPEL
May 25, 1993.
DIRECT CREMATIONS
miscellaneous items taken be-
and work in one constructive
OUTS
Thursday, June
Member Boy A
tween 11 p.m. Monday and 7
effort." said Bruce Gestman. de-
X a.m. . East
24 hrs
841-2000
ith Deliverance
COOPER'S CHAPEL
a.m. Tuesday. All of the crimes
velopment assistant for the East
E. 14m Street,
CREMATION SERVICES
occurred within a three-block
Bay Habitat For Humanity.
let Hour, C.P.
(510)533-4116
area bordered by South 55th.
services
contributed
to
JUN-02-93 WED 11:04
P. 04
San Francisco Chronicle
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
U.S. Rejects Wilson Water Policy
Babbitt defends
Endangered
Species Act
By Elliot Diringer
Chronicle Staff Writer
Governor Wilson's claim
that California's escalating wa-
ter conflicts can be eased only
by overhauling the Endanger-
ed Species Act was emphatical-
ly rejected yesterday by the
Clinton administration's water
czar.
Interior Secretary Bruce Bab-
bitt, on a swing through the Bay
Area, said that by killing interim
protections for San Francisco
Bay and the delta, the governor
had "in effect delegated" key wa-
ter responsibilities to Washing-
ton.
In response, the new adminis-
tration is working to better coor-
BY MICHAEL MACOR/THE CHRONICLE
dinate the many federal agencies
with a hand in California water
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt greeted Marin Conservation Corps member Robin
policy but sees no need to rewrite
Brown at Treasure Island, where he announced a U.S. 'summer of service' leadership program
federal law, as the governor has
urged, Babbitt said.
the ideological disputes at the
cials announced that the Naval
and find balance in aquatic eco-
to
door, there's room for positive
base will be a training center for
systems," Babbitt said.
IA
"Our job in the short run is to
get a coordinated federal effort
outcomes for everyone."
Clinton's "summer of service"
At the same time, the listings
together based on the premise
Wilson spokesman Franz Wis-
program.
of winter-run salmon and delts
that we can provide a balanced,
ner said the governor and the
smelt as threatened species have
reasonable response under exist-
secretary share a philosophy -
Babbitt, a former Arizona
given federal wildlife agencies &
ing law," he said. "Then we can
protecting entire ecosystems to
governor with strong conserva-
direct say in how California's wa
approach the state and see
avoid species-by-species show-
tionist credentials. has taken
ter systems are operated.
whether or not they're willing to
downs - but differ on whether
charge of the Interior Depart-
The governor, claiming tha
change their minds and attempt
that can be accomplished under
ment at a time when the federal
those steps under the federal En
to work under existing law."
present law.
role in shaping California's water
dangered Species Act made the
"The Endangered Species Act
destiny is perhaps greater than
question of interim bay-delt:
Babbitt disputed Wilson's
as it is written can shut down en-
ever.
standards "moot," told state reg
contention in a letter in March to
President Clinton that environ-
tire industries and cripple entire
Under sweeping reforms en-
ulators in April not to bothe
mental and economic interests
states and regions," said Wisner.
acted last year by Congress, some
adopting them. That, however
cannot be reconciled under the
"There's no reason why we can't
supplies controlled by the feder-
gave the federal government as
save jobs while we're saving spe-
opening to assert even more au
Endangered Species Act as now
al Central Valley Project, the
cies."
state's largest water system, are
thority over California water b:
written.
Babbitt's comments came
being redirected from farms
imposing protections of its own
"There's a defeatist attitude
during an interview en route
back to rivers and wetlands deci-
The Environmental Prote
that's kind of crept into all of
from Martinez - where the sec-
mated by years of diversions.
tion Agency is expected to issu
this I reject it 100 percent," Bab-
retary toured the national histor-
bay-delta standards later thi
bitt said. "I think if we do this
ic site that was once home to nat-
Implementing the act "is in
year. Babbitt said he is coordina
carefully, with a lot of attention
uralist John Muir - to Treasure
many ways going to be the ulti-
ing closely with EPA Administr:
to the science
and checking
Island, where he and other offi-
mate test of our ability to restore
tor Carol Browner.
JUN-02-93 WED 11:06
Wednesday, June 2. 1993 Marin Independent Journal
CORPS: Interior
lecretary Bruce
S.F. camp to launch service program
labbitt on Treasure
sland yesterday
Associated Press
ty Service who requested that her
with Guillermo Aban
BAY AREA
name not be used.
nd Robin Brown of
SAN FRANCISCO - Hundreds
The act WES aimed, among other
10 Marin Conserva-
D-San Francisco. She spoke at the
of young people will meet at Trea-
things. at developing national ser-
on Corps. Aban
news conference at Treasure Island,
sure Island next month for 3 leader-
vice programs in communities hit
nd Brown are
ship "boot camp" in President Clin-
along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein,
hard by military cuts. Participants
mong the Marin
D-California, and San Francisco
ton's national service program,
W.20 will earn minimum wage plus a
Conservation Corps
Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt
Mayor Frank Jordan.
$1,000 college scholarship, will be
workers who will
announced yesterday.
Almost 1,500 young people will at-
assigned to work in 11 cities on van
ielp with a federal
tend the weeklong training camp
ous goodwill projects. Refurbishing
veeklong communi-
"The people who will gather here
that starts June 20. It will be the
public housing units and cleaning up
y service training
shortly for the Summer of Service'
first step for the 17- to 25-year-old
urban parks will be among jobs.
program. About 100
are going to play an extraordinary
participants in the $8 million pro-
The cities are Los Angeles,Oak
rainees and other
role because they represent the ad-
cct, which Clinton envisions as a p.-
land; New Orleans; Atlenta; Balti
volunteers will re-
vance guard, if you will, of this
ot program for a year-round, do-
more; Philadelphia; Boston: New
itore wildlife habitat
movement," Babbitt mid.
mestic "Peace Corps" with 25,000
ark. N.J.; New York City; Delaware
and repair trails in
The administration selected the
workers.
Ohio; and Red Lake, Minn.
he Marin Head-
naval base in San Francisco Bay for
The bulk of the money comes
Althcugh the plan must still be
the training site as a nodel for con-
from the Community Works Pro-
approved by Congress, Summer of
ands.
verting military resources to domes-
gress Act, said a woman at the Com-
Service is being launched in antici P.
tic needs, said Rep. Nancy Pelosi,
mission on National and Coramuni-
pation of that approval.
WP photo
05