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administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Speech File Draft Files
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Chron File, 1989-1993
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13481
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13481-011
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National Volunteer Organizations, 4/10/89
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25
6
2
1
REMARKS: VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
ROSE GARDEN
11:00 A.M.
THIS IS ONLY MY THIRD ROSE GARDEN EVENT. AND THE
FIRST ONE, WELL, IT WENT TO THE DOGS. MILLIE RAN IT.
So EXCUSE ME IF I SEEM A LITTLE NERVOUS. THERE'S
NOTHING HARDER TO FOLLOW THAN AN ANIMAL ACT.
- 2 -
WHAT A GREAT PRIVILEGE IT IS, TO HAVE YOU HERE.
You ARE TAKING ON THE MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGES WE FACE
AS A NATION. YOU'RE FIGHTING POVERTY; DRUG ABUSE;
ILLITERACY; TEEN PREGNANCY; THE ALIENATION OF YOUNG AND
OLD. AND YOU'RE WINNING -- BECAUSE YOU REFUSE TO
BELIEVE IT CAN'T BE DONE.
- 3 -
So I AM HERE TO THANK YOU. You HAVE LIVED UP TO AN
IDEAL, ONCE GIVEN VOICE BY HORACE MANN, THAT I HAVE
ALWAYS ADMIRED: "BE ASHAMED TO DIE," HE SAID, "UNTIL
YOU HAVE WON SOME VICTORY FOR HUMANITY."
RECENTLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A MAN IN
INDIANA, WHO WAS FORCED TO RETIRE ON DISABILITY BECAUSE
OF HEART PROBLEMS. HE WAS 45 YEARS OLD.
- 4 -
HE WROTE TO EXPLAIN THAT, WHILE HE COULDN'T TAKE A JOB,
HE WAS GIVING HIS TIME TO A NEARBY MENTAL HEALTH
CENTER; A LOCAL SCHOOL; AND HIS COUNTY ENVIRONMENT
DEPARTMENT. HE WROTE, "I GUESS WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY
IS THIS. I AM DISABLED BUT NOT [AN] INVALID, AND I
ENJOY BEING ABLE TO BE OF HELP."
- 5 -
HE SAID, "I HOPE, IN SOME SMALL WAY, THAT I AM
STILL ABLE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THIS GREAT NATION
OF OURS, AND INDEED TO THE WORLD AS A VOLUNTEER. I
HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU AND I AND INDEED MILLIONS OF
OTHERS WILL STRIVE TO TRULY MAKE THIS A KINDER AND
GENTLER NATION. WE NEED THAT... VERY MUCH."
THE GOOD THAT VOLUNTEERISM DOES IN THIS COUNTRY
EVERY YEAR WINS COUNTLESS VICTORIES FOR HUMANITY, LARGE
AND SMALL.
- 6 -
HERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE, WE BENEFIT FROM THE
TIRELESS EFFORTS OF VOLUNTEERS. AND SEATED TO MY RIGHT
ARE PEOPLE MOTIVATED MUCH THE WAY YOU ARE. AND THEN,
THERE'S ELLA MILLER -- SITTING IN THE FRONT ROW -- WHO
CONTINUES TO SERVE HER COMMUNITY, HER CHURCH, AND IN
LOCAL SCHOOLS -- AND SHE'S 108 YEARS OLD.
- 7 -
I'M TOLD THAT OVER HALF OF ADULT AMERICANS -- 80
MILLION -- ACTIVELY VOLUNTEER IN SOME WAY IN THEIR
COMMUNITIES. LAST YEAR, THAT WAS WORTH ALMOST 150
BILLION DOLLARS IN MAN- AND WOMAN-HOURS.
BUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND DOLLARS
AND CENTS.
- 8 -
YOUR WORK -- AND THE WORK OF MANY OTHERS AS MOTIVATED
AS YOURSELVES -- IS A TESTAMENT TO A POWERFUL IDEA:
THAT ALONG WITH THE MANY RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES THAT
DISTINGUISH US AS AMERICANS, IS THE SHARED
RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AFTER ONE ANOTHER. I ALWAYS
LIKE TO REMEMBER THAT THERE IS NO EXERCISE BETTER FOR
THE HUMAN HEART THAN REACHING DOWN, AND LIFTING SOMEONE
ELSE UP.
- 9 -
You UNDERSTAND THAT HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE IS
IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST. THAT THE MOST POWERFUL
GIFT WE CAN OFFER ANYONE IS A SENSE OF PURPOSE -- A
PATH TO SELF-ESTEEM. THAT THE FABRIC OF THE FAMILY --
LIKE THAT OF SOCIETY -- MUST FOREVER BE RENEWED AND
RE-WOVEN.
AT THE INAUGURAL, I SPOKE OF A NEW ENGAGEMENT IN
THE LIVES OF OTHERS. WE MUST SEEK COMMON POINTS WHERE
THE PRACTICAL AND THE COMPASSIONATE CONVERGE.
- 10 -
YOURS IS AN EXAMPLE WE SEEK TO SPREAD ACROSS EVERY
COMMUNITY, EVERY TOWN, EVERY CITY IN AMERICA.
THIS WEEK, I CHALLENGE EVERY AMERICAN WHO CARES
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY, TO GET INVOLVED.
FIND A PLACE, OR AN ORGANIZATION, OR EVEN A SINGLE
LIFE, WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
FROM NOW ON, IN AMERICA, ANY DEFINITION OF A SUCCESSFUL
LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS.
- 11 -
IT IS NOT SIMPLY VOLUNTEERING, BUT THE PERSONAL ACT
OF HELPING ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL IN NEED, WHICH GIVES US
MEMBERSHIP IN A COMMUNITY. GIVING AND EXPECTING
NOTHING IN RETURN IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CITIZEN.
WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER, YOU CONFIRM YOUR CITIZENSHIP.
VOLUNTEERING IS AN ACT OF HEROISM ON A HUMAN
SCALE -- AND IT MATTERS PROFOUNDLY. IT DOES MORE THAN
HELP PEOPLE BEAT THE ODDS -- IT CHANGES THE ODDS. You
MIGHT SAY IT PUTS THE UNITY IN COMMUNITY.
- 12 -
TODAY, I'LL BE SIGNING A PROCLAMATION, TO MAKE THIS
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK. BUT WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT, IT
WILL BE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO BRING THE "ERA OF THE
OFFERED HAND" TO LIFE.
AND I WILL BE ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM ENCOURAGING
YOUTH ENTERPRISE AND SERVICE TO AMERICA. BUT IT WILL
BE YOUR CHALLENGE TO OPEN YOUR ORGANIZATIONS TO YOUNG
PEOPLE SEEKING MEANINGFUL SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.
- 13 -
To MATCH NEED WITH NEED -- TO FIND A CALLING FOR EVERY
VOLUNTEER -- AND TO KEEP REMINDING US, THAT EACH ONE OF
US HAS A GIFT TO GIVE.
WHICH REMINDS ME OF AN OLD STORY THAT BAR LIKES TO
TELL, ABOUT A MINISTER WHO WAS GIVEN A JAR OF PEACHES
SOAKED IN BRANDY BY ONE OF HIS ADMIRING PARISHIONERS.
- 14 -
THE MINISTER OPENS THE JAR, TAKES A WHIFF, AND SAYS,
"OH, DEAR LADY, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR
THIS GIFT. " "REALLY," SAYS THE LADY, "IT'S SUCH A
SMALL PRESENT."
"AH," SAYS THE MINISTER, "IT'S NOT THE GIFT THAT
COUNTS. IT'S THE SPIRITS IN WHICH IT IS GIVEN."
WELL, THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM IN AMERICA IS
STRONGER THAN EVER.
- 15 -
You KNOW, ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD ONCE SAID, "WITH ALL
ITS LIMITATIONS, LIFE IN AMERICA IS BETTER AND KINDER
THAN ANYWHERE ON EARTH THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF."
THAT'S TRUE. BUT WE CAN MAKE IT BETTER STILL. WE
MUST LIFT AWAY MORE OF THE LIMITATIONS THAT REMAIN --
AND TAP THE LIMITLESS POTENTIAL OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE -- THROUGH COUNTLESS SMALL VICTORIES FOR
HUMANITY.
- 16 -
TOGETHER, LET US GIVE HONOR TO THE PHRASE: I
VOLUNTEERED.
I'D LIKE TO ASK BARBARA -- AND THE GROUP OF KIDS
AND VOLUNTEERS ON THE DAIS, HERE -- TO JOIN ME AS I
SIGN THE PROCLAMATION MAKING THIS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER
WEEK.
###
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
APRIL 6, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
MARK LANGE ML
SUBJECT:
REMARKS TO VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
I. SUMMARY
Attached are brief remarks for the Rose Garden ceremony on
Monday, April 10, with the leaders of 65 volunteer organizations.
II. DISCUSSION
This will be the first event of a week focused on volunteerism.
About 120 leaders of volunteer organizations will attend.
Your remarks suggest the range of good that volunteerism does;
commend those attending as examples of the spirit you seek to
spread across the nation; and issue a challenge to every American
to get involved.
After your remarks -- expected to last eight to ten minutes --
you will sign a proclamation making next week "National Volunteer
Week."
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 6, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
FOR COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE MJO
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Volunteer Organizations
Counsel's office has reviewed the above-referenced proposed
Presidential remarks, and we have no legal objection to their
delivery.
CC: James W. Cicconi
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
APRIL 6, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
MARK LANGE MA
SUBJECT:
REMARKS TO VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
I. SUMMARY
Attached are brief remarks for the Rose Garden ceremony on
Monday, April 10, with the leaders of 65 volunteer organizations.
II. DISCUSSION
This will be the first event of a week focused on volunteerism.
About 120 leaders of volunteer organizations will attend.
Your remarks suggest the range of good that volunteerism does;
commend those attending as examples of the spirit you seek to
spread across the nation; and issue a challenge to every American
to get involved.
After your remarks -- expected to last eight to ten minutes --
you will sign a proclamation making next week "National Volunteer
Week."
(Lange/Blessey)
April 7, 1989
10:15 a.m.
[VOLUNT.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
ROSE GARDEN
11:00 A.M.
[[ This is only my third Rose Garden event. And the first one,
well, it went to the dogs. Millie pretty much ran it. So excuse
me if I seem a little nervous. There's nothing harder to follow
than an animal act. ]]
What a great privilege it is, to have you here. You are
taking on the most difficult challenges we face as a nation.
You're fighting poverty; drug abuse; illiteracy; teen pregnancy;
the alienation of young and old. And you're winning -- because
you refuse to believe it can't be done.
So I am here to thank you. You have lived up to an ideal,
once given voice by Horace Mann, that I have always admired: "Be
ashamed to die," he said, "until you have won some victory for
humanity."
Recently, I received a letter from a man in Indiana, who was
forced to retire on disability because of heart problems. He was
45 years old. He wrote to explain that, while he couldn't take a
job, he was giving his time to a nearby mental health center; a
2
local school; and his county environment department. He wrote,
"I guess what I am trying to say is this. I am disabled but not
[an] invalid, and I enjoy being able to be of help."
He said, "I hope, in some small way, that I am still able to
make a contribution to this great nation of ours, and indeed to
the world
as a volunteer. I hope and pray that you and I and
indeed millions of others will strive to truly make this a kinder
and gentler nation. We need that
very much. "
The good that volunteerism does in this country every year
wins countless victories for humanity, large and small. I'm told
that over half of adult Americans -- 80 million -- actively
volunteer in some way in their communities. Last year, that was
worth almost 150 billion dollars in man- and woman-hours.
But what you're doing goes above and beyond dollars and
cents. Your work -- and the work of many others as motivated as
yourselves -- is a testament to a powerful idea: that along with
the many rights and privileges that distinguish us as Americans,
is the shared responsibility to look after one another. I always
like to remember that there is no exercise better for the human
heart than reaching down, and lifting someone else up.
You understand that helping the less fortunate is in
everyone's best interest. That the most powerful gift we can
3
offer anyone is a sense of purpose -- a path to self-esteem.
That the fabric of the family -- like that of society -- must
forever be renewed and re-woven.
At the Inaugural, I spoke of a new engagement in the lives
of others. We must seek common points where the practical and
the compassionate converge. Yours is an example we seek to
spread across every community, every town, every city in America.
This week, I challenge every American who cares about the
future of this country, to get involved. Find a place, or an
organization, or even a single life, where you can make a
difference for someone else. From now on, in America, any
definition of a successful life must include serving others.
It is not simply volunteering, but the personal act of
helping another individual in need, which gives us membership in
a community. Giving and expecting nothing in return is what it
means to be a citizen. When you volunteer, you confirm your
citizenship.
Volunteering is an act of heroism on a human scale -- and it
matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds
-- it changes the odds. You might say it puts the unity in
community.
4
Today, I'll be signing a proclamation, to make this National
Volunteer Week. But week in and week out, it will be people like
you who bring the "era of the offered hand" to life. And I will
be establishing a program encouraging youth enterprise and
service to America. But it will be your challenge to open your
organizations to young people seeking meaningful service to their
communities. To match need with need; a calling for every
volunteer. And to keep reminding us, that each one of us has a
gift to give.
Which reminds me of an old story that Bar likes to tell,
about a minister who was given a jar of peaches soaked in brandy
by one of his admiring parishioners. The minister opens the jar,
takes a whiff, and says, "Oh, dear lady, you don't know how
grateful I am for this gift." "Really," says the lady, "it's
such a small present."
"Ah," says the minister, "it's not the gift that counts.
It's the spirits in which it is given."
Well, the spirit of volunteerism in America is stronger than
ever. You know, Alfred North Whitehead once said, "With all its
limitations, life in America is better and kinder than anywhere
on earth that I have ever heard of."
5
That's true. But we can make it better still. We must lift
away more of the limitations that remain -- and tap the limitless
potential of the American people -- through countless small
victories for humanity.
Together, let us give honor to the phrase: I volunteered.
I will now sign the proclamation
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 6, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER
RBP
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Volunteer Organizations
The draft remarks for the Rose Garden ceremony are well
written and appropriate.
I only have on editorial suggestion. The third full
paragraph on page two could probably be strengthened by adding
the following sentence, "I always like to remember that there
is no exercise better for the human heart than reaching down
and lifting someone else up."
If you have any questions, or I can help in any other
way, please let me know.
CC: James W. Cicconi
023988 SS
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/6/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 4/6/89 6:00 PM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 6:00 PM, TODAY, Thursday, April 6, 1989, with an
info copy to my office. Sorry for the short turnaround.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Lange/Blessey)
April 6, 1989
1989 APR -C C PM 2:
12:45 p.m.
[VOLUNT.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
ROSE GARDEN
[TIME]
[[ This is only my third Rose Garden event. And the first one,
well, it went to the dogs. Millie pretty much ran it. So excuse
me if I seem a little nervous. There's nothing harder to follow
than an animal act. ]]
It is a pleasure, and a great privilege, to have you here.
You've taken on the most difficult challenges we face as a
nation. You're fighting poverty; substance abuse; illiteracy;
teen pregnancy; the alienation of young and old. And you're
winning.
So I am here to thank you. You have lived up to an ideal,
once given voice by Horace Mann, that I have always admired: "Be
ashamed to die," he said, "until you have won some victory for
humanity."
d
I got a letter from man in Indiana, who was forced to retire
on disability because of heart problems. He was 45 years old.
He wrote to explain that, while he couldn't take a job, he was
2
giving his time to a nearby mental health center; a well child
clinic; a local school; and his county environment department.
He wrote, "I guess what I am trying to say is this. I am
disabled but not [an] invalid, and I enjoy being able to be of
help."
He said, "I hope, in some small way, that I am still able to
make a contribution to this great nation of ours, and indeed to
the world
as a volunteer. I hope and pray that you and I and
indeed millions of others will strive to truly make this a kinder
and gentler nation. We need that
very much. "
The good that volunteerism does in this country every year
wins countless victories for humanity, large and small. I'm told
that over half of adult Americans -- 89 million -- actively
volunteer in some way in their communities. Last year, that was
worth almost [80] billion dollars in man- and woman-hours.
But what you're doing goes above and beyond dollars and
cents. Your work --- and the work of many others as motivated as
yourselves -- is a testament to a powerful idea: that among the
many rights and privileges we share as Americans, we share a
responsibility to look after one another.
You understand that the empowerment of the less fortunate is
in everyone's best interest. That the most powerful gift we can
3
offer anyone is a sense of purpose -- a path to self-esteem.
That the fabric of the family -- like that of society -- must
forever be renewed and re-woven.
At the Inaugural, I spoke of a new engagement in the lives
of others. We must seek common points where the practical and
the compassionate converge. Yours is an example we seek to
spread across every community, every town, every city in America.
This week, I challenge every American who cares about the
future of this country, to get involved. Find a place, or an
organization, or even a single life, where you can make a
difference for someone else. From now on, in America, our idea
of a successful life must include serving others.
Volunteering is an act of heroism on a human scale -- and it
matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds
-- it changes the odds. You might say it puts the unity in
community.
Today, I'll be signing a proclamation, to make this National
Volunteer Week. But week in and week out, it will be people like
you who bring the "era of the offered hand" to life. And I will
be establishing a program to encourage youth to enter service.
But it will be your challenge to make room for these young people
4
in your organizations. To match need with need. And to keep
reminding us, that all of us have gifts to give.
Which reminds me of an old story that Bar likes to tell,
about a minister who was given a jar of peaches soaked in brandy
by one of his admiring parishioners. The minister opens the jar,
takes a whiff, and says, "Oh, dear lady, you don't know how
grateful I am for this gift." "Really," says the lady, "it's
such a small present."
"Ah," says the minister, "it's not the gift that counts.
It's the spirits in which it is given."
Well, the spirit of volunteerism in America is stronger than
ever. You know, Alfred North Whitehead once said, "With all its
limitations, life in America is better and kinder than anywhere
on earth that I have ever heard of. "
That's true. But we can make it better still. We must lift
away more of the limitations that remain -- and tap the limitless
potential of the American people -- through countless small
victories for humanity.
I will now sign the proclamation
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 6, 1989
6:45 pm
Memorandum for Chriss Winston
From:
Jim Pinkerton
P
Re:
Volunteer Organizations Speech Draft
1,2,2
"Substance abuse" is an artificial neologism. We
should say instead "drug abuse and alcoholism" if that is
factually correct.
1,4,1
Add "a" between "from" and "man."
2,1,1
"...a well child clinic;" If this is a term of art,
fine.
2,4,2
"
that among the many rights and privileges we share
as Americans, we share a responsibility to look after one
another." Since a responsibility cannot be grouped with rights
and privileges, we should say: " that besides the many rights"
etc.
3,5,2
"era of the offered hand" -- Good riff on the
President's themes.
4,1,2
"To match need with need. " Not sure what this means.
Do we mean "To match will [or "effort"] with need"?
4,3,1
Usual reluctance to criticize jokes aside, this is a
weak joke.
4,5,2
=
through countless small victories for humanity." A
solid ending phrase.
#
CC: Roger Porter
Bill Roper
AP- - A few additional comments, the
for your optional use, on
speech -A
I wonder if we would be helped by inserting a coda, as it
were, into this speech, which ties it in with the President's
recent child care and education speeches, e.g.:
"Incidentally, volunteerism makes the volunteer a better
person, too. One human is himself humanized when turns to help
another. That is why I have spoken in the last few weeks about
my programs - for child care, for education, and now for
volunteerism, that aim at fostering the human relation of caring
for others."
Also, instead of "less fortunate" which is a bit coy and
euphemistic, I'd say either "those who need help most" or (if you
want alliteration) "the down cast, the downtrodden, the down and
out," or if you want literary) "We must help those who would
also serve but are not even able enough to only stand and wait."
-- a reference to Milton's famous line, used by throughout the
Kennedy Administration about their poverty programs, "They also
serve who only stand and wait."
023988 SS
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/6/89 09 MAR ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 4/6/89 6:00 PM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
\
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 6:00 PM, TODAY, Thursday, April 6, 1989, with an
info copy to my office. Sorry for the short turnaround.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
See changes
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Lange/Blessey)
April 6, 1989
1989 APR -C PM 25
12:45 p.m.
[VOLUNT.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
ROSE GARDEN
[TIME]
[[ This is only my third Rose Garden event. And the first one,
well, it went to the dogs. Millie pretty much ran it. So excuse
me if I seem a little nervous. There's nothing harder to follow
than an animal act. ]]
It is a pleasure, and a great privilege, to have you here.
You've taken on the most difficult challenges we face as a
nation. You're fighting poverty; substance abuse; illiteracy;
teen pregnancy; the alienation of young and old. And you're
winning.
So I am here to thank you. You have lived up to an ideal,
once given voice by Horace Mann, that I have always admired: "Be
ashamed to die," he said, "until you have won some victory for
humanity."
a
I got a letter from in Indiana, who was forced to retire
on disability because of heart problems. He was 45 years old.
He wrote to explain that, while he couldn't take a job, he was
2
giving his time to a nearby mental health center; a well child
clinic; a local school; and his county environment department.
He wrote, "I guess what I am trying to say is this. I am
disabled but not [an] invalid, and I enjoy being able to be of
help."
He said, "I hope, in some small way, that I am still able to
make a contribution to this great nation of ours, and indeed to
the world
as a volunteer. I hope and pray that you and I and
indeed millions of others will strive to truly make this a kinder
and gentler nation. We need that
very much.' "
The good that volunteerism does in this country every year
wins countless victories for humanity, large and small. I'm told
that over half of adult Americans -- 89 million -- actively
volunteer in some way in their communities. Last year, that was
worth almost [80] billion dollars in man- and woman-hours.
But what you're doing goes above and beyond dollars and
cents. Your work -- and the work of many others as motivated as
yourselves -- is a testament to a powerful idea: that among the
many rights and privileges we share as Americans, we share a
responsibility to look after one another.
You understand that the empowerment of the less fortunate is
in everyone's best interest. That the most powerful gift we can
3
offer anyone is a sense of purpose -- a path to self-esteem.
That the fabric of the family -- like that of society -- must
forever be renewed and re-woven.
At the Inaugural, I spoke of a new engagement in the lives
of others. We must seek common points where the practical and
the compassionate converge. Yours is an example we seek to
spread across every community, every town, every city in America.
This week, I challenge every American who cares about the
future of this country, to get involved. Find a place, or an
organization, or even a single life, where you can make a
difference for someone else. From now on, in America, our idea
of a successful life must include serving others.
Volunteering is an act of heroism on a human scale -- and it
matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds
-- it changes the odds. You might say it puts the unity in
community.
Today, I'll be signing a proclamation, to make this National
Volunteer Week. But week in and week out, it will be people like
you who bring the "era of the offered hand" to life. And I will
be establishing a program to encourage youth to enter service.
part
Murry
But it will be your challenge to make room for these young people
4
in your organizations. To match need with need. And to keep
reminding us, that all of us have gifts to give.
Which reminds me of an old story that Bar likes to tell,
about a minister who was given a jar of peaches soaked in brandy
by one of his admiring parishioners. The minister opens the jar,
takes a whiff, and says, "Oh, dear lady, you don't know how
grateful I am for this gift." "Really," says the lady, "it's
such a small present."
"Ah," says the minister, "it's not the gift that counts.
It's the spirits in which it is given."
Well, the spirit of volunteerism in America is stronger than
ever. You know, Alfred North Whitehead once said, "With all its
limitations, life in America is better and kinder than anywhere
on earth that I have ever heard of." II
That's true. But we can make it better still. We must lift
away more of the limitations that remain -- and tap the limitless
potential of the American people -- through countless small
victories for humanity.
I will now sign the proclamation
from Joe Shattan OVP
(Lange/Blessey)
April 6, 1989
PM
12:45 p.m.
[VOLUNT.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
see p4
ROSE GARDEN
[TIME]
for typo
[[ This is only my third Rose Garden event. And the first one,
well, it went to the dogs. Millie pretty much ran it. So excuse
me if I seem a little nervous. There's nothing harder to follow
than an animal act. ]]
It is a pleasure, and a great privilege, to have you here.
You've taken on the most difficult challenges we face as a
nation. You're fighting poverty; substance abuse; illiteracy;
teen pregnancy; the alienation of young and old. And you're
winning.
So I am here to thank you. You have lived up to an ideal,
once given voice by Horace Mann, that I have always admired: "Be
ashamed to die," he said, "until you have won some victory for
humanity."
I got a letter from man in Indiana, who was forced to retire
on disability because of heart problems. He was 45 years old.
He wrote to explain that, while he couldn't take a job, he was
2
giving his time to a nearby mental health center; a well child
clinic; a local school; and his county environment department.
He wrote, "I guess what I am trying to say is this. I am
disabled but not [an] invalid, and I enjoy being able to be of
help."
He said, "I hope, in some small way, that I am still able to
make a contribution to this great nation of ours, and indeed to
the world
as a volunteer. I hope and pray that you and I and
indeed millions of others will strive to truly make this a kinder
and gentler nation. We need that
very much. "
The good that volunteerism does in this country every year
wins countless victories for humanity, large and small. I'm told
that over half of adult Americans -- 89 million -- actively
volunteer in some way in their communities. Last year, that was
worth almost [80] billion dollars in man- and woman-hours.
But what you're doing goes above and beyond dollars and
cents. Your work -- and the work of many others as motivated as
yourselves -- is a testament to a powerful idea: that among the
many rights and privileges we share as Americans, we share a
responsibility to look after one another.
You understand that the empowerment of the less fortunate is
in everyone's best interest. That the most powerful gift we can
3
offer anyone is a sense of purpose -- a path to self-esteem.
That the fabric of the family -- like that of society -- must
forever be renewed and re-woven.
At the Inaugural, I spoke of a new engagement in the lives
of others. We must seek common points where the practical and
the compassionate converge. Yours is an example we seek to
spread across every community, every town, every city in America.
This week, I challenge every American who cares about the
future of this country, to get involved. Find a place, or an
organization, or even a single life, where you can make a
difference for someone else. From now on, in America, our idea
of a successful life must include serving others.
Volunteering is an act of heroism on a human scale -- and it
matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds
-- it changes the odds. You might say it puts the unity in
community.
Today, I'll be signing a proclamation, to make this National
Volunteer Week. But week in and week out, it will be people like
you who bring the "era of the offered hand" to life. And I will
be establishing a program to encourage youth to enter service.
But it will be your challenge to make room for these young people
in your organizations. To match need with seed need. And to keep
4
reminding us, that all of us have gifts to give.
Which reminds me of an old story that Bar likes to tell,
about a minister who was given a jar of peaches soaked in brandy
by one of his admiring parishioners. The minister opens the jar,
takes a whiff, and says, "Oh, dear lady, you don't know how
grateful I am for this gift." "Really," says the lady, "it's
such a small present."
"Ah," says the minister, "it's not the gift that counts.
It's the spirits in which it is given."
Well, the spirit of volunteerism in America is stronger than
ever. You know, Alfred North Whitehead once said, "With all its
limitations, life in America is better and kinder than anywhere
on earth that I have ever heard of."
That's true. But we can make it better still. We must lift
away more of the limitations that remain -- and tap the limitless
potential of the American people -- through countless small
victories for humanity.
I will now sign the proclamation
April 6, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR JIM CICCONI
FROM;
DENISE SCHWARZ
OFFICE OF CABINET AFFAIRS
SUBJECT;
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS; VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
We have reviewed the remarks and have no comments.
Attachment
023988 SS
Document No.
06 APR 1989
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/6/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 4/6/89 6:00 PM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
Petersneyer
X
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 6:00 PM, TODAY, Thursday, April 6, 1989, with an
info copy to my office. Sorry for the short turnaround.
Thank you.
7750
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Lange/Blessey)
April 6, 1989
1989 APR -C N2C
12:45 p.m.
[VOLUNT.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
ROSE GARDEN
[TIME]
[[ This is only my third Rose Garden event. And the first one,
well, it went to the dogs. Millie pretty much ran it So excuse
me if I seem a little nervous There's nothing harder to follow
than an animal act. ]] (Too Abrupt a transition from lighr to
serious.
Start
What a
of is
It is a pleasure, and a great privilege, to have you here.
are
ins
You've taken on the most difficult challenges we face as a
nation. You're fighting poverty; substance abuse; illiteracy;
teen pregnancy; the alienation of young and old. And you're
winning. It is refreshing to meet people like your selver,
Who refuse to believe at can't rdone!
So I am here to thank you. You have lived up to an ideal,
once given voice by Horace Mann, that I have always admired: "Be
ashamed to die," he said, "until you have won some victory for
humanity."
Recently I Ireceived letter
got a from man in Indiana, who was forced to retire
on disability because of heart problems. He was 45 years old.
He wrote to explain that, while he couldn't take a job, he was
2
giving his time to a nearby mental health center; a well child
clinic; a local school; and his county environment department.
He wrote, "I guess what I am trying to say is this. I am
disabled but not [an] invalid, and I enjoy being able to be of
help."
He said, "I hope, in some small way, that I am still able to
make a contribution to this great nation of ours, and indeed to
the world
as a volunteer. I hope and pray that you and I and
indeed millions of others will strive to truly make this a kinder
and gentler nation. We need that
very much. "
The good that volunteerism does in this country every year
wins countless victories for humanity, large and small. I'm told
that half of adult Americans -- 89 million -- actively
volunteer in some way in their communities. Last year, that was
necessary?
worth almost [80] billion dollars in man- and woman-hours
(I am statis worried there
But what you' re doing goes above and beyond dollars and
cents. Your work -- and the work of many others as motivated as
yourselves -- is a testament to a powerful idea: that among the
that disguish
is theshand
many rights and privileges we share as Americans, we share a
responsibility to look after one another.
You understand that the empowerment of the less fortunate is
in everyone's best interest. That the most powerful gift we can
3
offer anyone is a sense of purpose -- a path to self-esteem.
That the fabric of the family -- like that of society -- must
forever be renewed and re-woven.
At the Inaugural, I spoke of a new engagement in the lives
of others. We must seek common points where the practical and
the compassionate converge. Yours is an example we seek to
spread across every community, every town, every city in America.
This week, I challenge every American who cares about the
future of this country, to get involved. Find a place, or an
organization, or even a single life, where you can make a
any definition
difference for someone else. From now on, in America, our idea
of a successful life must include serving others. It is the personal
act of helping the individu. which maties nocifized
personal
Volunteering is an act of heroism on a human scale -- and it
matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds
-- it changes the odds. You might say it puts the unity in
community.
which gives give membership Minia expective
It is not act simply of helping volum another individual a commern but in weed
Today, I'll be signing a proclamation, to make this National
Volunteer Week. But week in and week out, it will be people like
you who bring the "era of the offered hand" to life. And I will
without
be establishing a program (to encourage youth to enter service
vcomaging youth enterprised Service to Amrica
But it will be your challenge to make room for these young people
(bopen you organizations
the
is what it means
thing in return
to young people seeking
to be a citizen. When you
meany ful Service to
Volunteen, you confi rm your
then community
calling for every
Volunteer,
4
Kg
in your organizations
To match need with need
And to keep
reminding us, that all of us have gifts to give.
each one of us has a gift to give.
Which reminds me of an old story that Bar likes to tell,
about a minister who was given a jar of peaches soaked in brandy
by one of his admiring parishioners. The minister opens the jar,
takes a whiff, and says, "Oh, dear lady, you don't know how
grateful I am for this gift." "Really," says the lady, "it's
such a small present."
"Ah," says the minister, "it's not the gift that counts.
It's the spirits in which it is given."
Well, the spirit of volunteerism in America is stronger than
ever. You know, Alfred North Whitehead once said, "With all its
limitations, life in America is better and kinder than anywhere
on earth that I have ever heard of."
- That's true. But we can make it better still. We must lift
away more of the limitations that remain -- and tap the limitless
potential of the American people -- through countless small
victories for humanity Together, let's Gricy honor to the phrase-
I Volunteered!
I will now sign the proclamation
023988 SS
Document No.
MASTERI
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/6/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 4/6/89 6:00 PM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
>
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
>
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122, x2930,
no later than 6:00 PM, TODAY, Thursday, April 6, 1989, with an
info copy to my office. Sorry for the short turnaround.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Lange/Blessey)
April 6, 1989
1989 APR -6 PM 2:5
12:45 p.m.
[VOLUNT.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
ROSE GARDEN
[TIME]
[[ This is only my third Rose Garden event. And the first one,
well, it went to the dogs. Millie pretty much ran it. So excuse
me if I seem a little nervous. There's nothing harder to follow
than an animal act. ]]
What
it's
It is a pleasure, and a great privilege to have you here.
Peters.)
are ing
You've taken on the most difficult challenges we face as a
nation. You're fighting poverty; substance drug abuse; illiteracy;
teen pregnancy; the alienation of young and old. And you're
winning, because you refuse to believe it can't be done.
So I am here to thank you. You have lived up to an ideal,
once given voice by Horace Mann, that I have always admired: "Be
ashamed to die," he said, "until you have won some victory for
humanity."
Becently. Inceived
I got a letter from man in Indiana, who was forced to retire
on disability because of heart problems. He was 45 years old.
He wrote to explain that, while he couldn't take a job, he was
2
?
giving his time to a nearby mental health center; a well child
clinic; a local school; and his county environment department.
He wrote, "I guess what I am trying to say is this. I am
disabled but not [an] invalid, and I enjoy being able to be of
help."
He said, "I hope, in some small way, that I am still able to
make a contribution to this great nation of ours, and indeed to
the world
as a volunteer. I hope and pray that you and I and
indeed millions of others will strive to truly make this a kinder
and gentler nation. We need that
very much."
The good that volunteerism does in this country every year
wins countless victories for humanity, large and small. I'm told
that over half of adult Americans -- 89 million -- actively
volunteer in some way in their communities. Last year, that was
50
Aeron
worth almost
[80]
billion dollars in man- and woman-hours.
But what you're doing goes above and beyond dollars and
cents. Your work -- and the work of many others as motivated as
besides
yourselves -- is a testament to a powerful idea: that among the
that a
is the
many rights and privileges we share as Americans, we share a
saurce
responsibility to look after one another. I always like to
remember that there is mo exercise better for the human
heart than reaching down and , Ftaing someone alse up.
helping
You understand that the empowerment of the less fortunate is
in everyone's best interest. That the most powerful gift we can
3
offer anyone is a sense of purpose -- a path to self-esteem.
That the fabric of the family -- like that of society -- must
forever be renewed and re-woven.
At the Inaugural, I spoke of a new engagement in the lives
of others. We must seek common points where the practical and
the compassionate converge. Yours is an example we seek to
spread across every community, every town, every city in America.
This week, I challenge every American who cares about the
future of this country, to get involved. Find a place, or an
organization, or even a single life, where you can make a
any Clifinition
difference for someone else. From now on, in America, our idea
of a successful life must include serving others.
(over)
Volunteering is an act of heroism on a human scale -- and it
matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds
-- it changes the odds. You might say it puts the unity in
community.
Today, I'll be signing a proclamation, to make this National
Volunteer Week. But week in and week out, it will be people like
you who bring the "era of the offered hand" to life. And I will
be establishing a program to encourage youth to enter service to Averica
enterprise and enterprise and
But it will be your challenge to make room for these young people
open your organizations to
young people seecuking
meaning ful service do
their communities.
It is not simply volunteeing but the personal act
of helping arother individual in meed which gives
mothing return is what it means to be a citizen
us membershipm in a community. Giving and expecting
When you volunteev, you confurm your citizenship
for every
4
a
in your organizations. To match need with need And to keep
eachone
a
reminding us, that all of us have gifts to give.
Which reminds me of an old story that Bar likes to tell,
about a minister who was given a jar of peaches soaked in brandy
by one of his admiring parishioners. The minister opens the jar,
takes a whiff, and says, "Oh, dear lady, you don't know how
grateful I am for this gift." "Really," says the lady, "it's
such a small present."
"Ah," says the minister, "it's not the gift that counts.
It's the spirits in which it is given."
Well, the spirit of volunteerism in America is stronger than
ever. You know, Alfred North Whitehead once said, "With all its
limitations, life in America is better and kinder than anywhere
on earth that I have ever heard of."
That's true. But we can make it better still. We must lift
away more of the limitations that remain -- and tap the limitless
potential of the American people -- through countless small
victories for humanity.
L Togethes, let's give honor to the phrase - I volum bend
I will now sign the proclamation
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 10, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER
ORGANIZATIONS
The Rose Garden
11:00 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Please, be seated. Well, what a great
privilege it is to have you here in the Rose Garden. You're taking
on the most difficult challenges that we face as a nation. You're
fighting poverty, drug abuse, illiteracy, teen pregnancy, the
alienation of young and old. And you're winning because you refuse
to believe that it can't be done. And so I'm here to thank you.
You've lived up to an ideal once given voice by Horace Mann that I've
always admired. "Be ashamed to die," he said, "until you have won
some victory for humanity."
Well, recently I received a letter from a man in Indiana
who was forced to retire on disability because of heart problems. He
was only 45 years old. And he wrote to explain that, while he
couldn't take a job, he was giving his time to a nearby mental center
-- mental health center, a local school and his county environment
department. And he wrote this: "I guess what I'm trying to say is
this -- I'm disabled, but not an invalid. And I enjoy being able to
be of help. Then he went on, "I hope in some small way that I'm
still able to make a contribution to this great nation of ours and,
indeed, to the world as a volunteer. I hope and pray that you and I
and, indeed, millions of others will strive to truly make this a
kinder and gentler nation. We need that very much."
What an inspiration. The good that volunteerism does in
this country every year wins countless victories for humanity, large
and small. And here at the White House, we benefit from the tireless
efforts of volunteers. And seated to my right are people motivated
much the way you are. And I include my wife, Barbara, in that. And
then there's Ella Miller sitting in the front row, who continues to
serve her community, her church and in local schools. And she is 108
years old. (Applause.)
And I'm told that over half of adult Americans -- 80
million -- actively volunteer in some way in their communities. And
last year that was worth almost $150 billion in man- and woman-hours.
But what you're doing goes above and beyond dollars and cents. Your
work and the work of many others as motivated as yourselves is a
testament to a powerful idea that, along with the many rights and
privileges that distinguish us as Americans, is the shared
responsibility to look after one another.
I always like to remember that there is no exercise
- 2 -
This week I challenge every American who cares about the
future of this country to get involved. Find a place or an
organization or even a single life where you can make a difference
for someone else. From now on in America, any definition of a
successful life must include serving others. It's not simply
volunteering, but the personal act of helping another individual in
need, which gives us membership in a community. Giving and expecting
nothing in return is what it means to be a citizen. When you
volunteer you confirm your citizenship. Volunteering is an act.
It's an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly.
It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds.
You might say it puts the unity in community.
And today I'll be signing a proclamation to make this
National Volunteer Week. But week in and week out, it will be people
like you who bring the era of the offered hand to life. And I'll be
establishing a program encouraging youth enterprise and service to
America. But it will be your challenge to open your organizations to
young people seeking meaningful service to their communities; to
match need with need; to find a calling for every volunteer; and to
keep reminding us that each one of us has something to give, each one
of us has a gift to give -- which reminds me of an old story that
Barbara likes to tell about a minister who was given a jar of peaches
soaked in brandy by one of his admiring parishioners.
The minister opens the jar, takes a whiff, and says, "Oh,
dear lady, you don't know how grateful I am for this gift."
"Really,' says the lady, "it's such a small present." "Ah," says the
minister, "it's not the gift that counts. It's the spirits in which
it's given. (Laughter.)
Well, the spirit of volunteerism in America is stronger
than ever -- stronger than it's ever been. You know, Alfred North
Whitehead once said, "With all its limitations, life in America is
better and kinder than anywhere on Earth that I've ever heard of."
And that's true, but we can make it better still.
We must lift away more of the limitations that remain and
tap the limitless potential of the American people, through countless
small victories for humanity. Together, let us give honor to the
phrase, "I volunteered."
And now I'd like to ask Barbara and the group of kids and
volunteers on the dais here to join me as I sign the proclamation
making this National Volunteer Week. And I do it with great respect
for everybody here and gratitude in my heart, as well. Thank you.
(Applause.)
END
11:09 A.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 11, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT VOLUNTEER ACTION AWARDS CEREMONY
The East Room
1:20 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Welcome, honored guests, ladies and
gentlemen. (Applause.) First, I'm pleased to see so many members of
our Cabinet present here today; members of the United States
Congress; Senator. And welcome to all of you, our most honored
guests.
Let me add that I have a slight confession to make. It's
been said -- and I know this will shock you -- that sometimes I don't
speak in very good English and that I have a hard time being
understood. I'll admit it; it's true. And all I can say is that I'm
in pretty good company, though. Look at Yogi Berra. (Laughter.)
When asked if he had seen "Dr. Zhivago," he said, "No, I feel fine."
(Laughter.)
And Danny Ozark, the baseball's master of the malaprop,
once observed of his ballplayers, "Contrary to popular belief, I've
always had a wonderful repertoire with them."
See what I mean? It's not just me. Everybody does it --
even these silver-tongued orators have the meaning blurred.
But today, this group here makes me realize the message
isn't blurred -- certainly not the message that brings us together.
Let it ring loud and clear. America is great because America is
good. And America's greatest deeds come from the basic decency and
compassion of her people -- each of you here today.
And we see that decency and compassion everywhere -- in a
child care center, the Rotary, the Little League, synagogue or
church. It means lending a hand, tending a wound, and helping the
less fortunate.
And this is Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate those
qualities. And it's my honor today to present the 1989 President's
Volunteer Action Awards. These awards were first presented in 1982.
And since then, 148 Americans have been recognized and honored.
And I have said that from now on, any definition of a
successful life must include serving others. And today's award
recipients embody that definition.
- 2 -
Chessie's 82 years -- 800 children sounds like a weekend with my
grandkids in Kennebunkport, Maine, but nevertheless -- (Laughter.)
Allison Stieglitz -- 15 years old. Listening to her at
lunch, sounds a little older than that. But nevertheless, she was
only 12 when she asked her parents to use the money they had planned
to spend on her Bat Mitzvah to provide Thanksgiving baskets for needy
families. And that first year, she gave out 15; in 1980, she donated
75. And in Miami, Allison has begun a Sunday breakfast and bag lunch
program in two local temples.
Rose and Chessie and Allison, and this year's 15 other
President Award winners, were chosen from nearly 1,500 nominations.
And let's face it -- the 15 just barely scratched the surface of
people that are volunteering and helping all across the country.
They -- you --- know that prosperity without purpose means nothing.
Instead, you revere what matters: simple, fundamental values like
decency, goodness, self-discipline, compassion, caring.
And as President, I want to promote those basic values
because they form the heart of volunteerism and of these President's
Awards. And that is why we have opened the Office of National
Service, which is leading our administration's national service
movement. This office will encourage partnerships between all levels
of government, private enterprise, and the voluntary organizations.
It's going to take things that work and carry them to the nation.
And it will enlist new volunteers in community-based efforts to
combat urgent social needs. And toward that end, soon I will
announce our administration's Y-E-S or YES to America Program --
Youth Entering Service. Here, American youth can give of, not to,
themselves. By saying "Yes" to America, they can define a successful
life.
of course, that's what you already have done. And you
know that volunteerism never asks, "What can I do for myself?" It
asks, "What can I do myself for others?" And, yes, government can
and should be a catalyst of caring. Its role is critical. But we
have surpassed -- far surpassed -- the limits of what government
alone can do.
Volunteerism says that it is the private sector which has
the responsibility, the understanding and, yes, the resources to
confront issues like hunger, health care, homelessness, illiteracy,
teen pregnancy, and drug abuse. Our challenge is to use that
understanding and those resources to meet our responsibility. For we
are a nation, and a family, helping, enriching, and caring for each
other. And as a family, we are committed to a nationwide effort.
Volunteerism says that individuals, like communities, can
join hands and exchange talents for the good of America. One person
can tutor an inner-city student; that boy or girl can someday become
an engineer or an artist. The child-turned-adult will then become a
role model to others.
Fellow volunteers, each of you has been a role model.
You have enriched the American spirit. And in that spirit, let me
close on a personal note -- about a hero, if you will.
- 3 -
commissioner for the city of New York, he counseled and inspired
kids. And they called him the Iron Horse, the Pride of the Yankees.
And he was a hero.
To serve others, to enrich your community -- this truly
defines a successful life. For success is personal, and it is
charitable -- the sum not of our possessions, but of how we help our
neighbors.
My friends, on that score, you all have hit a grand-slam
home run. Congratulations to each of you, the award-winners, and
thank you for coming today. And may your example inspire and uplift
others.
And now, it is my distinct pleasure to present the 1980
awards. And to help me is another real volunteer -- certainly the
lead one in our family -- Barbara Bush. (Applause.)
And I'd like to ask Donna Alvarado, the head of ACTION,
and my dear friend, Mr. Volunteer himself, Governor George Romney to
come forward to help Barbara with these presentations. And then to
all of you, our most heartfelt thanks. (Applause.)
THE FIRST LADY: The United Auto Workers, Local #31, of
Kansas city, Kansas. Bud Carroll, Local #31 president, accepting.
(Applause.) The United Auto Workers, Local #31, of Kansas city,
Kansas, joined forces with General Motors, the city council and other
union locals to raise $100,000 and remodel its former union hall into
a facility for the homeless. UAW members and retirees now volunteer
at the center. (Applause.)
Samuel and Nanette Evans. Samuel and Nanette Evans, of
Arlington, Virginia, formed the Northern Virginia Patriots, an
award-winning marching band whose 450 young members perform in
colonial costumes at many nationally-known parades and events.
(Applause.)
Senior Master Sergeant Apolonio E. (Ed) Garcia, of Enid,
Oklahoma, tutors Spanish-speaking immigrants in English as a second
language and has assisted over 50 Hispanics to get their temporary
resident papers. (Applause.)
Chessie Harris. Chessie Harris, of Huntsville, Alabama,
founded Harris Home for Children in 1958, a facility which has
provided a home for over 800 abandoned children. She and Mr. Harris,
who died in 1988 at the age of 93, raised the building and operating
funds and managed the home. (Applause.)
The Judeo Christian Health Clinic; Rhea Herowitz
accepting. The Judeo Christian Health Clinic, Tampa, Florida,
organized in 1972 by a Presbytarian church and now managed by a group
of local churches, involves over 400 volunteer physicians and other
professionals in providing health care to low-income people who do
not qualify for public assistance. (Applause.)
The Great American First Savings Bank, You Miss
School-You Miss Out Program -- James Schmidt, Vice Chairman
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training for members, advocacy at the national level on subjects of
interest to women and children, and special programs emphasis on such
topics as teen pregnancy and women and alcohol. (Applause.)
Habitat for Humanity, International; Amy Parsons
accepting. Habitat for Humanity, International, based in Americus,
Georgia, involves over 35,000 volunteers in 324 sites, who develop
simple, decent, affordable housing for low income families. Habitat
provides no-interest loans and the buyers provide sweat equity.
(Applause.)
Inner City Development, Inc.; Patti and Rod Radle
accepting. Inner City Development, Inc., organized to offer hope to
the Hispanic residents of San Antonio's inner city, provides a food
and clothing bank, a tutoring program, family counseling, the city's
largest recreation program and a Christmas toy program that allows
parents to purchase toys for 10 percent of their actual price.
(Applause.)
The Virginia Power Volunteer Program; Dr. James T.
Rhodes, President and Chief Executive Officer, accepting. The
Virginia Power Volunteer Program provides an organized way for
company employees and retirees to volunteer in community activities
through 60 volunteer team councils. Employees participated in more
than 1,500 projects, totaling over 100,000 hours of service in 1988.
(Applause.)
Covenant House; Father Bruce Ritter accepting. Covenant
House, founded in New York in 1968 by Father Bruce Ritter to provide
shelter to runaway and abandoned children, involves over 300
volunteers a month as tutors, staffing, recreation programs,
providing counseling and operating outreach programs. There are also
Covenant Houses in Houston, Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, and
Rochester. (Applause.)
Compeer Inc.; M. Norton Rosner accepting. Compeer Inc.,
based in Rochester, New York, matches training caring volunteers in
one-to-one relationships with over 10,000 mental health clients in
120 communities. (Applause.)
REACH; David Shaff, Vice President of REACH Program
accepting. REACH -- Responsible, Educated Adolescents Can Help -- of
Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, involves 30 junior and senior high school
students who develop and deliver a strong drug and alcohol abuse
message to elementary school students. (Applause.)
The California Marine Mammal Center; Mary Jane Scramm
accepting. The California Marine Mammal Center, based in Sausalito,
involves over 330 volunteers out of a staff of 350 in rescuing,
rehabilitating and returning to their environment sick, injured, and
distressed marine mammals. (Applause.)
The Clothing Bank -- New Clothes for the Homeless;
Edward Shapiro accepting. The Clothing Bank -- New Clothes for the
Homeless was developed in 1986 by the J.M. Kaplan Fund and New York
City Mayor's Voluntary Action Center. The Clothing Bank has provided
over 1.25 million items of new clothing worth over $6 million to the
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thanks for what you do to set this example in our great country.
But finally, we come to a man I'm pleased to honor now.
Twenty-two years ago, having moved to the East Village in New York to
help the urban poor, Father Ritter opened his door one night to see
six children, and they were asking for a place to stay. And
eventually, as you heard, Father Ritter founded Covenant House to
provide a shelter for abandoned and runaway children.
Today, his program involves over 1200 volunteers each
month, and it offers shelter to more than 25,000 children each year.
My friends, because of Covenant House, a child has escaped heroin
addiction; another no longer yearns for a decent meal; still another
views the world as a warm, not sullen place. And it is an American
success story almost without parallel.
Last year, a new award was created to honor the
individual or organization whose contribution to volunteerism is
greatest among those winning the Volunteer Action Awards.
And so I am pleased to announce Father Ritter as this
administration's first recipient of an award named for a great
President and our dear friend, the Ronald Reagan Award for Volunteer
Excellence.
And to Father Ritter and all of you, our warmest
congratulations. (Applause.)
Thank you all very much for coming. (Applause.)
END
1:42 P.M. EDT