    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [September 8, 1993]
    [Page 1456]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1456]]

    Statement on Senate Action on National Service Legislation
    September 8, 1993

        I want to thank and congratulate Members of the United States Senate
    today for passing a landmark piece of legislation, the National and
    Community Service Trust Act of 1993.
        Many times I have talked about how national service will bring
    together Americans from a wide variety of backgrounds, expand their
    educational opportunity, and empower a new generation to take on our
    Nation's most pressing domestic needs. Thousands will spend a year or
    two serving their country and their communities, working as teachers, as
    health care workers, or on environmental projects, while helping to pay
    for school.
        In the best sense of reinventing Government, the new Corporation for
    National and Community Service will emphasize decentralization in favor
    of empowering local initiatives that devise local solutions to local
    problems. It will be bold and it will be entrepreneurial in its quest
    for excellent programs and quality participants. Its business plan will
    be an unwavering mandate to get things done in our communities and our
    country.
        Today's Senate action is yet another opportunity for change for the
    American people. National service will be the American way to change
    America.