[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 3 (Monday, January 24, 2005)]
[Pages 72-73]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at ``America's Future Rocks Today--A Call to Service''

January 18, 2005

    Thank you all. I hope you've enjoyed this fantastic concert. I'm 
traveling--as you can see, I'm traveling in pretty good company today, 
with the First Lady of the United States, Laura, the mother of Barbara 
and Jenna who we love dearly.
    Listen, I want to thank all the entertainers who were here today. 
How about Hilary Duff. She was fantastic. Thank you, Hilary. JoJo--JoJo 
is here--[applause]--yes. Ruben Studdard--you talk about a success 
story. Ryan Cabrera--I appreciate Ryan being here. How about 3 Doors 
Down? Pretty cool guys, right? Seem cool to me. Fuel--I appreciate Fuel 
being here.
    Jason Sehorn--I'm honored that my friend Jason--and I'm really proud 
and pleased that he brought his wife, Angie Harmon. I want to thank 
Steve Baldwin for being with us today. I'm honored that Steve was here. 
Erika Harold, Miss America 2003--what a fine person Erika is. How about 
Kelly Purdue, ``The Apprentice.'' Next thing you know, the guy will be 
running for President. Nancy O'Dell--I'm honored that Nancy is with us. 
I appreciate you all coming.
    Listen, I'm particularly thrilled to be standing on the stage with 
some of America's soldiers in the army of compassion. So the theme of 
this Inauguration is to celebrate freedom and to honor service. Today 
Laura and I went by and we were able to thank some of the men and women 
who wear our Nation's uniform for their service to our country, for 
their sacrifice for our freedoms. And today, at this concert, we're 
particularly thrilled that we're honoring service.
    You know what that means? It means love a neighbor just like you'd 
like to be loved yourself. Take time out of your life to make somebody 
else's life better. By helping heal a broken heart or surrounding a 
friend with love or feeding the hungry or providing shelter for the 
homeless, you can help change

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America for the better, one heart, one soul, one conscience at a time.
    I want to thank you all for setting such a fantastic example. Thank 
you for your service.
    And my call to you all is that as you enjoy the great freedoms of 
America and as you enjoy yourself at this Inauguration, I hope you take 
away the lesson of helping somebody in need. And when you do, it will 
not only make our country a better place; it will lift up your own 
spirit.
    Thanks for coming. Enjoy yourself. May God bless you all, and may 
God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 6:54 p.m. at the District of Columbia 
National Guard Armory. In his remarks, he referred to professional 
football player Jason Sehorn and his wife, actress Angie Harmon; actor 
Stephen Baldwin; and television personality Nancy O'Dell.