[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 17 (Monday, April 28, 2003)]
[Pages 486-487]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7667--National Volunteer Week, 2003

 April 25, 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 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

[[Page 487]]

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 29, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
April 30.