[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20007-20008]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10202]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 20007]]

                Proclamation 7545 of April 19, 2002

                
National Volunteer Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Citizen service has always been a cornerstone of our 
                democracy. Since our founding, Americans have stepped 
                forward to serve the needs of others, strengthen our 
                communities, and defend the freedoms we treasure.

                Our country and the world continue to see the 
                compassion, strength, and generosity of Americans in 
                the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001. 
                Volunteers from across the Nation united to help meet 
                the needs of those harmed by the tragic attacks, 
                volunteering their time, their financial resources, and 
                their kindness.

                The spirit that guided our response to the attacks is 
                still evident in Americans of every age group and 
                background who volunteer their time to enhance the 
                lives of others. These compassionate people work 
                through a broad range of organizations that reflect the 
                diversity of our country, including private charities, 
                faith-based organizations, schools, neighborhood 
                groups, volunteer centers, service clubs, and Federal 
                service programs. The efforts of millions of Americans 
                help solve some of our most pressing problems and build 
                bonds of trust among people.

                To tap further into our Nation's vast resources of 
                compassion and strength, I recently created the USA 
                Freedom Corps (USAFC). And I have called on all 
                Americans to give at least 2 years--or 4,000 hours--
                during their lives in service to others. This service 
                is essential to forging a united response to overcoming 
                the challenges that face our Nation.

                The USAFC will help unleash our armies of compassion, 
                enhance homeland security, provide additional service 
                and volunteer opportunities in our communities, and 
                help people in America and around the world to meet 
                important needs. Many Americans are already answering 
                the call, volunteering a few hours each week or a few 
                days each month to aid a local school, by mentoring or 
                tutoring a child. Citizens are also donating their time 
                to support a place of worship, to offer their expertise 
                to a neighborhood association, or to strengthen a local 
                service organization. Others are serving our country 
                full time in the military or in programs such as 
                AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps. I urge 
                citizens to keep a record of their service experiences 
                in a journal that will enable them to share them with 
                their children and grand children, inspiring new 
                generations to engage in community service.

                The spirit exemplified by America's volunteers will 
                help create a culture of responsibility and caring that 
                will inspire us to achieve greatness as a Nation. 
                During National Volunteer Week, I encourage all 
                Americans to learn more about how they can serve, to 
                volunteer to help those in need, and to encourage the 
                volunteers across the country who are answering the 
                call to service. Americans looking for a way to serve 
                can contact the USA Freedom Corps web site at 
                www.usafreedomcorps.gov or call, toll-free, 1-877-USA-
                CORPS (872-2677).

[[Page 20008]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim April 21 through April 27, 
                2002, as National Volunteer Week. I call on all 
                Americans to join together to celebrate the vital work 
                that volunteers perform every day across our country. 
                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-10202
Filed 4-23-01; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P