Congressman Don Bacon has been a champion for ServeNebraska and AmeriCorps service at the federal level in several ways. While serving as the representative for Nebraska’s second congressional district, he has witnessed the impact of AmeriCorps programs in the Omaha community, and he places significant value on the role of service in making American communities better.
“You can look at the number of private dollars and time donated to causes. No one in the world matches what we do,” he said. “It’s a part of our DNA, and we’ve got to protect that, foster that, nurture it and grow it.”
Starting in 2020, the Congressman signed on to support the CORPS act and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Tax Relief Act to make AmeriCorps a more accessible program for all Americans. Currently, the use of the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award earned by AmeriCorps members upon completing their term of service is subject to federal tax. These bills propose making the award tax-exempt so that members can maximize the use of their hard-earned award to advance their education and pay back student loans.
Congressman Bacon also co-sponsored the Inspire to Serve Act and joined the National Service Congressional Caucus to expand the number of AmeriCorps opportunities in Nebraska and across the country. He supports increasing access to these opportunities in part because he believes that every person has a duty to do whatever they can for their country and AmeriCorps service is an excellent demonstration of commitment to one’s community.
“Serving and volunteering changes us. Serving in the military changed me,” he said while accepting the Voices for Service Congressional Service Award for second time in May of 2024. “Service does that. It makes you feel American, because you get an American perspective, and you learn from other people.”
In recognition of his support, the ServeNebraska Commission awarded the Congressman with the Jamesena Moore “Making a Difference” Service Award in 2022 for his commitment to furthering the organization’s mission of growing national and community service in our state.
