[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 21, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20619-20620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08415]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 75 / Wednesday, April 21, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 20619]]


                Proclamation 10183 of April 16, 2021

                
National Volunteer Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                We are living in a moment that calls for hope and light 
                and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way 
                forward, and love for one another. Volunteers provide 
                all three. Service--the act of looking out for one 
                another--is part of who we are as a Nation. Our 
                commitment to service reflects our understanding that 
                we can best meet our challenges when we join together. 
                This week, we recognize the enduring contributions of 
                our Nation's volunteers and encourage more Americans to 
                join their ranks.

                The tremendous power of volunteers and volunteerism has 
                been on dramatic display in our response to the COVID-
                19 pandemic. All across the country, retired doctors 
                and nurses, students and veterans, personnel from 
                across the Federal Government, and countless others 
                have given their time and talent to administer 
                vaccines, staff vaccination centers, boost testing, 
                tracing, and other life-saving public health measures, 
                and provide food, water, and other necessities to those 
                at heightened risk so they can remain safely at home.

                Volunteers of all ages and walks of life have stepped 
                forward in other ways to meet this moment. When a 
                severe winter storm left millions without power in 
                Texas and wildfires ravaged our Western States, 
                neighbors from near and far provided food, shelter, and 
                support. Throughout this unprecedented year, people 
                across America have given help and hope by checking on 
                isolated seniors, helping the jobless, and tutoring 
                students to help them stay on track in school. Their 
                compassion reminds us that even in our darkest hours, 
                Americans look out for one another.

                To meet the unprecedented challenges of today and build 
                back better for tomorrow, we must unite around a 
                renewed commitment to service and to civic duty. As we 
                work to defeat the pandemic, strengthen our economy, 
                address racial inequity, and tackle the climate crisis, 
                we need more Americans to get involved. Government 
                cannot do the job alone, but government--working 
                together with nonprofits and community organizations, 
                the private sector, and the American people--can make 
                our country stronger, more prosperous, and ready for 
                the future.

                When more Americans step forward to serve, it renews 
                our sense of community and strengthens our democracy. 
                Acts of service unite people from different backgrounds 
                and allow us to truly see and hear one another.

                By helping others, volunteers also help themselves. 
                They learn new skills, expand their professional 
                networks, connect with neighbors, and experience the 
                satisfaction that comes from serving a larger cause. 
                Service can provide a pathway to employment, education, 
                and other career-building opportunities. As we reopen 
                our economy and build back better, volunteerism can 
                help the unemployed find work and make our communities 
                more resilient and prepared.

                The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to 
                expanding service opportunities for Americans, 
                including opportunities that enable us to confront the 
                toughest challenges faced by our Nation. The American 
                Rescue Plan includes a historic investment in 
                AmeriCorps to make national service more

[[Page 20620]]

                accessible. We seek to enable more service members and 
                volunteers to support vaccination efforts, tackle the 
                growing hunger crisis, address learning loss, and meet 
                other critical community needs.

                During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the 
                millions of Americans who volunteer and encourage more 
                to follow their path. Every American has something to 
                give. No matter your age, background, or where you come 
                from, you can have an impact through service. Vice 
                President Harris and I salute every American who takes 
                time to help their neighbors, and we applaud the 
                extraordinary faith-based, nonprofit, national service, 
                military service, and community organizations that make 
                this service possible.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 18 
                through April 24, 2021, as National Volunteer Week. I 
                call upon all Americans to observe this week by 
                volunteering in service projects across the country and 
                pledging to make service a part of their daily lives.

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

[FR Doc. 2021-08415
Filed 4-20-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P