[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 16 (Monday, April 26, 1993)]
[Page 615]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6546--National Volunteer Week, 1993

 April 17, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The spirit of service is embodied in the people of America. With the 
knowledge that each of us benefits when we all work together, and with 
the willingness to act on that knowledge, we have always strived to 
bring out the best in ourselves and in our country. This tradition of 
service sustains and defines our citizenship and our democracy. Our 
shared institutions and values unite this country and make it great. 
None of these runs deeper than the spirit of service.
    As they have throughout history, volunteers today are lifting up 
America. Millions of citizens are giving of themselves to help provide a 
better future for all Americans. The many forms of service are as 
diverse as the American people: a homemaker organizing a neighborhood 
patrol, a retired firefighter becoming a foster grandparent, a teenager 
volunteering in a health clinic, or a small child designing a recycling 
program. A uniquely American spirit unites all of these efforts.
    In our smallest counties and in our largest cities--in every 
community across the land--citizens are renewing America through 
service. Alone, any one effort can make a significant impact. Together, 
they can change our country forever--not only through the material 
improvements they create but also through the spiritual transformation 
they foster.
    This week, then, it is fitting that we honor the millions of people 
who devote themselves to helping others. But this year, let us do more 
than recognize their efforts. Let us renew our spirit of volunteerism 
and rededicate ourselves to serving our fellow Americans.
    This is a time to rekindle the spirit of service. Old and young, 
rich and poor, all of us have roles to play in making our Nation 
stronger. We must serve in order to allow our children--and future 
generations--to live up to their full potential. Just as important, we 
must serve in order to be our best as Americans and as human beings.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby designate the week beginning April 
18, 1993, as National Volunteer Week. I ask all Americans to join in 
commending the contributions volunteers make to our Nation. I urge every 
citizen to consider how, in our own ways, we can renew our Nation's 
hope, revitalize our people's spirit, and reclaim our country's promise.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day 
of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
seventeenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:44 a.m., April 19, 
1993]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
20.