[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20215-20216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8837]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 20215]]

                Proclamation 8649 of April 7, 2011

                
National Volunteer Week, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's story has been marked by the service of 
                volunteers. Generations of selfless individuals from 
                all walks of life have served each other and our 
                Nation, each person dedicated to making tomorrow better 
                than today. They exemplify the quintessential American 
                idea that we can change things, make things better, and 
                solve problems when we work together.

                Volunteers are the lifeblood of our schools and 
                shelters, hospitals and hotlines, and faith-based and 
                community groups. From mentoring at-risk youth and 
                caring for older Americans to supporting our veterans 
                and military families and rebuilding after disasters, 
                these everyday heroes make a real and lasting impact on 
                the lives of millions of women and men across the 
                globe.

                Last year, nearly 63 million Americans gave of 
                themselves through service. Their compassion is a 
                testament to the generosity of the American spirit. In 
                difficult times, Americans are coming together--
                tackling our challenges instead of ignoring them--and 
                renewing the principle that we are our brother's keeper 
                and our sister's keeper.

                Today, as many Americans face hardship, we need 
                volunteers more than ever. Service opportunities tap 
                the energy and ingenuity of our greatest resource--the 
                American people--to improve our neighborhoods and our 
                world. My Administration is committed to investing in 
                community solutions and increasing opportunities for 
                Americans to serve. The bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy 
                Serve America Act strengthened the programs of the 
                Corporation for National and Community Service, which 
                engage millions of citizens each year in service 
                through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve 
                America. We are building the capacity of organizations 
                and communities to tackle their own problems by 
                investing in social innovation and volunteer 
                cultivation. And through United We Serve, a national 
                call to service, we are making it easier for women and 
                men of all ages to find volunteer opportunities or 
                create their own projects where they see a need.

                During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the 
                profound impact of volunteers and encourage all 
                Americans to discover their own power to make a 
                difference. Every one of us has a role to play in 
                making our communities and our country stronger. I 
                encourage all Americans to help us renew progress and 
                prosperity and build a brighter future for our Nation 
                by visiting www.Serve.gov to find a local project.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim April 10 through 
                April 16, 2011, as National Volunteer Week. I call upon 
                all Americans to observe this week by volunteering in 
                service projects across our country and pledging to 
                make service a part of their daily lives.

[[Page 20216]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-8837
Filed 4-11-11; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P