    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [September 12, 1994]
    [Pages 1535-1536]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1535]]

    Remarks in a Swearing-In Ceremony for AmeriCorps Volunteers
    September 12, 1994

        The President. Good afternoon. In just a moment, I'll speak to
    thousands of you young people and those of you who are young in spirit
    around the country about our national service program, AmeriCorps. But
    before I do, let me say just a few words about what occurred here this
    morning.
        As you know, a plane came down here early this morning, and the
    pilot lost his life. An investigation is taking place that will
    determine how and why this happened. We take this incident seriously
    because the White House is the people's house. And it is the job of
    every President who lives here to keep it safe and secure.
        On his second night in the White House, our second President, John
    Adams, wrote: ``I pray heaven to bestow the best blessings on this house
    and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it.'' That prayer has been
    answered. In times of war and peace, in hard times and good, the White
    House is an enduring symbol of our democracy. It tells our people and
    those around the world that the mission of America continues, as it does
    on this happy and important day. So let me assure all Americans, the
    people's house will be kept safe, it will be kept open, and the people's
    business will go on.
        We stand at the start of America's new season of service. For 20,000
    Americans this year all over our great land, this moment marks the
    beginning of a journey that will change their lives forever. For our
    Nation, the moments of service that will follow will change our lives
    for many seasons to come.
        Service is never a simple act, it's about sacrifice for others and
    about accomplishment for ourselves, about reaching out, one person to
    another, about all our choices gathered together as a country to reach
    across all our divides. It's about you and me and all of us together,
    who we are as individuals and what we are as a nation.
        Service is a spark to rekindle the spirit of democracy in an age of
    uncertainty. We hear a great deal about values now. I encourage America
    in that conversation. But all the lofty talk comes down to three simple
    questions: What is right? What is wrong? And what are we going to do
    about it?
        Today we're doing what is right. Just look around you. You're what
    is right with America. Twenty thousand of you this year and 100,000 over
    the next 3 years will be getting things done in hundreds of places
    around the country. You will be saving babies in south Texas, walking
    the police beat in Brooklyn. You will work on boats to reclaim the
    Chesapeake Bay and work on new housing to rebuild parts of Roxbury. You
    will take seniors safely to the doctor in St. Louis and teach children
    in Sacramento to read.
        Every generation in our history has learned to take responsibility
    for our future, and your generation is no exception. We look at you now,
    and we know you are no generation of slackers. Instead, you are a
    generation of doers. And you want to give something back to the country
    that has given so much to you. The only limit to our future is what
    we're willing to demand of ourselves today. Generations of Americans
    before us have done the groundwork. Now it falls to all of us to build
    on their foundations.
        In just a minute, I'll lead nearly 20,000 AmeriCorps members
    gathered across America in a pledge. I ask all Americans to reflect on
    the words they will say, because with words like ``action'' and
    ``commitment,'' ``community'' and ``common ground,'' this is much more
    than a pledge of service. It's a creed for America as we move forward to
    renew our great country. And to all of you who will help to lead us in
    that journey, I say God bless you, and thank you from the bottom of my
    heart.
        And now it's my great pleasure to swear in the first members of
    AmeriCorps around the Nation, including these fine young people who are
    here with me. Would you all raise your right hand and repeat after me:
        I will get things done for America to make our people safer,
    smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen
    our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with
    conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will
    persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I
    am an AmeriCorps member, and I am going to get things done.

    [[Page 1536]]

    [The AmeriCorps volunteers repeated the pledge line by line after the
    President.]

        The President. Thank you, and good luck.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:46 p.m. by satellite from the Oval Office
    at the White House.