    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 7667 of April 25, 2003

    National Volunteer Week, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    Volunteering is central to the American character and is a fundamental
    expression of responsible citizenship. From our Nation's earliest days,
    people came together to do whatever was needed for the public good--from
    raising barns and providing mutual security to organizing educational
    activities and caring for their neighbors. Though our country has
    changed dramatically since its founding, the need for service has not.
    During National Volunteer Week, we recognize our proud legacy of
    volunteer service and resolve to encourage more Americans to continue
    strengthening our country by helping others.
    This is a time for all Americans to be active citizens, not spectators.
    For that reason, I have created the USA Freedom Corps to mobilize our
    citizens and provide opportunities for individuals and organizations to
    contribute to important causes. As part of this initiative, I have asked
    all Americans to dedicate at least 4,000 hours over the rest of their
    lives to serving their neighbors and their Nation. Since that call to
    service, our citizens have responded with an outpouring of kindness that
    is transforming our country, one heart and one soul at a time. According
    to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 59 million Americans
    volunteered last year through charitable organizations.
    These individuals served in a variety of ways--mentoring and tutoring
    children, providing companionship to the elderly, running community
    theaters and arts programs, cleaning highways and parks, staffing
    essential community organizations, and offering physical and spiritual
    aid to the hungry and homeless. In addition, citizen volunteers have

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    contributed to the ongoing war on terror by helping families and
    communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Across our
    Nation, our citizens are recognizing that everyone can do something to
    help and that serving those in need benefits the volunteer also.
    My Administration has taken several steps to build on this progress and
    continue the momentum created by these millions of acts of service. Most
    recently, I formed the President's Council on Service and Civic
    Participation, and charged them with creating a nationwide recognition
    program called the President's Volunteer Service Awards. These awards
    will be given to individuals and organizations engaged in a variety of
    volunteer services who have made a sustained commitment to service over
    the course of 1 year, and enhance our ability to pay tribute to
    volunteers and the impact their service has on our communities and our
    country.
    National Volunteer Week offers each of us the opportunity to recognize
    one of the true strengths of our Nation--the compassionate spirit of our
    citizens. I urge all Americans to continue to uphold this spirit and
    answer the call to service to help ensure that all our citizens realize
    the promise of America. Together, we can achieve a hopeful future for
    all.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 27 through May 3,
    2003, as National Volunteer Week. I call on all Americans to join
    together to celebrate the invaluable work that volunteers perform every
    day across our country, and to commit themselves to do more for their
    neighbors in need through the many volunteer programs available in their
    communities.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of
    April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    seventh.
    GEORGE W. BUSH