FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 23, 1996

Lowry to host state AmeriCorps swearing-in ceremony in Capitol Rotunda

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Mike Lowry will swear in nearly 400 new Washington AmeriCorps members during a special ceremony Friday (Oct. 25) at 10 a.m. in the rotunda of the Legislative Building in Olympia.

Similar ceremonies will take place in Yakima at 1 p.m. and in Spokane at 3:30 p.m. with Sue Donaldson swearing in members in both ceremonies. Donaldson serves as chairwoman of the Washington Commission for National and Community Service and is a member of the Seattle City Council.

"AmeriCorps is an outstanding program for both our residents and our communities," Lowry said. "Hundreds of young people, and those young at heart, across the state will be serving our country and making their communities better places to live. In return for their hard work, they will have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals."

Now in its third year, AmeriCorps has proven to be an innovative program in which people can earn money for educational expenses by performing national service work for local and community-based organizations.

Following Friday's swearing-in ceremonies, Washington will have nearly 1,000 AmeriCorps members, making this group one of the largest in the nation -- second only to California among western states.

Lowry also announced that Washington has been awarded more than $6 million in federal dollars for statewide AmeriCorps programs, ranging from building homes in low-income neighborhoods to innovative programs to prevent school drop-outs and gang involvement.

AmeriCorps swearing-in ceremonies will take place at the following locations this Friday:

• Olympia, 10 - 11 a.m., Capitol Rotunda, Legislative Building.
• Yakima, 1 - 2 p.m., Southeast Community Center, 1211 S. 7th St.
• Spokane, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Bryant School, 910 N. Ash St.

For more information, contact Bill Basl, executive director, Washington Commission for National and Community Service, 360-753-1814, or Barbara Dunn in the Governor's Communications Office, 360-753-6790.