National Service Legislation

1993: The National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 -- Both the NCCC and the Commission on National and Community Service would later be incorporated into the Clinton administration’s National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. A bipartisan coalition of Congress members introduced the bill, which President Bill Clinton signed it into law on Sept. 21, 1993. The legislation created the Corporation for National and Community Service, and three CNCS administered programs (Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America) with the responsibility of mobilizing Americans into service.

2002: USA Freedom Corps -- In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush announced the creation of the USA Freedom Corps. Chaired by the president, USA Freedom Corps was a coordinating council that worked to strengthen our culture of service and helped find opportunities for every American to serve.

2009: Serve America Act -- On April 21, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act at an elementary school in Washington, DC. The Serve America Act reauthorizes and expands national service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• President Obama Signs Landmark National Service Legislation (4/21/2009)

Download the ASC State National Service Legislation Report for information about state-based public policy supporting service.