AmeriCorps supported by Rep. Adam Smith and Cong. Candidate Denny Heck

AmeriCorps received positive acknowledgement and support at a fundraiser on October 9th for Denny Heck, congressional candidate for the new 10th Congressional District in Washington State.

I’ve talked with candidate Heck on two previous occasions, where he also voiced his support for continued funding for AmeriCorps and national service programs. His wife is a retired school teacher, so he personally knows the value of AmeriCorps in the classroom. His campaign manager Hart Edmondson, a former staff member for retiring Congressman Norm Dicks, is an AmeriCorps alum. He credits his experience with shaping his career path and his educational stipend with allowing him to pay off his student loans much quicker. Candidate Heck said he would be interested in joining the National Service Caucus, if he’s elected.

Also at the event was Cong. Adam Smith, from the 9th Congressional District, who is the ranking minority member on the House Armed Services Committee. With the latest redistricting, the area including a large combined army and air force base, Joint Base Lewis-McCord, was moved into the new 10th Congressional District. I talked with Cong. Smith about AmeriCorps and the support it provides for veterans through the Vets Corps and other programs. Washington was the first state to institute a Vets Corps.  Cong. Smith is very supportive of AmeriCorps, will advocate for funding, and agreed to join the National Service Caucus. He emphasized, as have other congressional members, how important it is for constituents to let their elected officials know about their concerns and priorities.