    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [September 11, 1994]
    [Pages 1532-1533]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to AmeriCorps Volunteers in Aberdeen, Maryland
    September 11, 1994

        Thank you very much. Chaplain, and General and Mrs. Tragemann,
    General Monroe, General Scott, Colonel Bosley, Senator and Mrs.
    Sarbanes, ladies and gentlemen.
        I guess I'll start by saying happy birthday--[laughter]--and happy
    anniversary. A commitment of 43 years is something the rest of this
    country could do more to emulate, sir. And we thank both of you for what
    you've done.
        Hillary and I are delighted to be here today with all of you and
    especially with our young AmeriCorps volunteers. [Applause] A quiet,
    reticent group. [Laughter]
        This is a special service that reaffirms our relationship to our God
    and our God-given responsibility to serve our fellow human beings. The
    Scripture from Isaiah that is the basis of this service today is
    something we would all do well to read and live by on a regular basis
    and to echo the words of Isaiah, ``Here am I, Lord; send me.'' Because
    as all of you who are here know already, service to others is something
    everyone can do and something everyone should do because of our
    relationship to our God, our responsibility to others, and our
    responsibility to ourselves.
        This chapel is filled with people who have answered the call to
    service. In every case, you embody what service means to America,
    Americans coming together and moving forward. In three words that I have
    always believed embodied what was best about this country--opportunity,
    responsibility, and community--your country has given you the
    opportunity to serve. You have assumed the responsibility. And our
    American family is much stronger and better and richer as a result.
        Many of you are civilians who have spent a lifetime fulfilling the
    public trust in and around Aberdeen and supporting our Nation's

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    military. And for that we are all very grateful. Many of you have spent
    your entire careers in uniform, your service profound, often putting you
    at risk of providing what President Lincoln called ``the last full
    measure of devotion.'' We honor you more than we can say.
        And many of you are the young people here in AmeriCorps. When I was
    inaugurated President, I called America to a season of service, and I
    asked our young people to lead the way. Thankfully, Congress has given
    them that opportunity, and they have responded with their responsibility
    in the national service program. And so we honor them for their service
    as well.
        Later today, 40 of these young people, those in the yellow outfits,
    will be leaving to fight the forest fires that are raging in the West,
    that have already claimed so much of our natural heritage and,
    unfortunately, the lives of some of our finest citizens. To them and to
    all the other corps members who are here and to the tens of thousands
    who will take the pledge of service with us tomorrow at the White House
    and all across America as we formally kick off the first full year of
    AmeriCorps with 20,000 young people across this country, let us say to
    them, we honor your service as well, and we thank you for the high
    calling you have answered.
        These young people will be doing a lot of things, working in
    education, working to help the environment, working to deal with
    people's human needs, working to help to increase the safety and
    security of our neighborhoods and our schools and our streets. Some may
    be working with the veterans now at Perry Point Hospital or connecting
    young students to the world of knowledge in Baltimore classrooms right
    here in Maryland. Some will be tying service and science together as
    they work to reclaim the Chesapeake Bay or deal with the problems of the
    Anacostia down in the District of Columbia.
        Every one of you represents the oldest and best of America's
    traditions. This country really got started by a bunch of volunteers.
    Nobody made them do what they did. They all had to sign up on their own
    accord. Now we are run, from our national security all the way down to
    our most elemental function in every community in this country, by a
    nation of volunteers, not by Government edict, not by large
    bureaucracies but by the spirit of service and devotion that burns
    within the heart of every American.
        So for all of you, and especially for these young people who may
    launch a whole generation of renewal of service all across this country,
    I say God bless you and all who serve, and thank you from the bottom of
    my heart.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:25 a.m. in the base chapel at Aberdeen
    Proving Ground, where AmeriCorps volunteers in the National Civilian
    Community Corps had received training. In his remarks, he referred to
    Chaplain (Lt. Col.) O. Wayne Smith; Maj. Gen. Richard W. Tragemann,
    commander, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and his wife, Kathy; Maj. Gen. James
    Monroe, chief of ordnance and commander, U.S. Army Ordnance Center and
    School; Brig. Gen. Don Scott, USA (Ret.), president, National Civilian
    Community Corps; James M. Bosley, deputy installation commander,
    Aberdeen Proving Ground; and congregation members celebrating special
    occasions.