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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Tony Snow Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Snow, Tony, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1988-1993
OA/ID Number:
13893
Folder ID Number:
13893-011
Folder Title:
[Daily Points of Light, 6/22/89]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
18
29
2
1
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DAILY POINTS OF LIGHT
The President recognizes a "Daily Point of Light" six days a week. Daily Points of
Light are those who successfully address our most pressing social problems
through direct and consequential acts of community service. Individuals, families,
businesses, groups, and organizations of every conceivable type are taking success-
ful action to combat drug abuse, illiteracy, inadequate education, environmental
decay, homelessness, hunger, AIDS, and other critical ills.
By reclaiming a drug-plagued, crime-ridden neighborhood, tutoring those who are
illiterate, mentoring a troubled young person, befriending a lonely senior citizen,
providing housing for the homeless, or protecting our environment, Americans
have enriched their communities and, in doing so, have brought meaning and ful-
fillment to their own lives.
Daily Points of Light recognition is intended not only to honor those who are
making a difference in the lives of those in need, but more importantly to urge every
individual, family, business, union, school, place of worship, club, group, and other
institution in America to make serving others central to their life and work. As the
President has said, "If you have a hammer, find a nail. If you know how to read, find
someone who can't If you're not in trouble, seek out someone who is..."
"The growth and magnification of Points of Light must now become an American
mission it is increasingly clear to more and more Americans that our greatest
social problems - drugs, education reform, the environment, crime - will be
solved only by the active engagement of tens of millions of individuals and millions
of groups and institutions who have never been involved before in these problems
and who will never be compensated one nickel for their work."
Points of Light demonstrate that problems in America can be solved. The President
believes that every American wants to be a Point of Light to those in need, if only
they are shown how they can make a difference. We therefore strongly encourage
not only every newspaper, magazine, television and radio station, but also every
other business, group, and other institution in America, to communicate in their
own way the story of Daily Points of Light to the entire Nation.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
POINTS OF LIGHT
"From now on in America, any definition of a successful
life must include serving others."
President George Bush
June 22, 1989
What is a "point of Light"?
A "Point of worship, club, group or organization voluntarily illiteracy, taking
of Light" is an individual, business, union, school,
place and consequential action to solve drug abuse, other serious
direct inadequate education, homelessness, hunger, AIDS or
social problems in their own community.
Can every American be a "point of Light"?
Every background or physical ability has a third gift grade to give
American, regardless of age, gender, race, economic
circumstance, else in need. In Polk, Nebraska, each senior
to someone in Ms. Dian Wurst's class is assigned a homebound and
child to telephone each day to offer words of comfort like
citizen In Houston, Texas, sexually abused teenagers California, Shelley Bob
cheer. counsel other young victims. In San Diego, from retired
McElroy's to college students, teach homeless people skills, them
Spell partnership of concerned citizens, ranging carpentry,
carpenters administration and other employment with pay food,
budgeting, work on construction projects and provide them enough
to shelter and clothing free of charge until they earn money
to become independent.
Why are people turning to Points of Light?
Points Effective government programs and a growing economy and are essential
of Light are the only solution to our social problems.
to addressing social needs. However, news reports the polls
today incapacity of government to solve social problems. boats" those
indicate almost universal disillusionment with And
Americans who believe that "a rising tide lifts all are
equally disillusioned by the fact that our nation's unparalleled of
recent prosperity has coexisted with widespread pockets
poverty forgetting Washington, their state capitols and city their own and
and social disintegration. More and more people halls are
backyards. forging The growth and magnification of these Points Light
their own solutions to social problems in of
must now become America's mission.
What core beliefs underlie the Points of Light movement?
Every social problem in America is being solved somewhere in
the country by Points of Light.
Every American has an innate desire to be a Point of Light.
American were shown how to be of help to someone Point of in
need, If every every American would be drawn to serve as a
Light.
Are Points of Light a substitute for government?
The There is no substitute for effective social problem in
government has a critical role to play in addressing government social
problems. But without Points of Light, no can
action. be solved. Effective government programs the hungry and do
America the can drug-dependent, teach the illiterate, feed
treat house the homeless. But drug abuse, illiteracy, hunger,
and and other social problems are really symptoms solve: of
homelessness more fundamental problems that programs cannot the
the disintegration of communities; the loss of self-respect who and,
larger, breakdown of the traditional family structure;
most need most is not a program, but a web of and self-
importantly, hope. What the millions of Americans family-like live
relationships confidence that result in the conviction that one's future not
in darkness that impart the values, habits, skills is
limited by present circumstances.
why are Americans responding to the Points of Light call?
Direct and consequential engagement in the lives of those of us in
need brings the fulfillment and satisfaction that each
seeks in life.
America's continued political, economic and military strength
and global competitiveness demand that we successfully address
our most serious social problems.
Americans recognize that they have a moral obligation to help
those among us in need.
When will more people become Points of Light in their
communities?
First, people must be assured that meaningful engagement in the
While some Americans have the courage to walk into a homeless their
lives of those in need is relatively easy and non-threatening.
shelter, soup kitchen or drug-plagued neighborhood on own,
Americans will do so only if they can serve in groups or
most teams with others with whom they feel comfortable and compatible.
Accordingly, a principal aim of the Points of Light movement is
to motivate Americans to serve with their family members,
friends, co-workers, or fellow church or club members.
second, people must be made aware of simple and appealing ideas
for community service that they can implement in their own way.
Third, people must be convinced of their potential as leaders of
community problem solving initiatives.
what is our strategy for making Points of Light a nationwide
movement?
First, we must change attitudes about community service so that
every individual, group and organization in America wants service
to be central to their life and work.
second, we must focus on what is working by identifying,
enlarging and multiplying Points of Light across the country.
Third, we must discover, encourage and develop the countless
number of people with untapped leadership potential within every
organization and community.
Volume
Every business, union, school, place of worship, club, group and
organization should develop community service projects in which
every employee or member is urged to participate. Every
individual in America should participate in some regular
community service activity, either as an individual or through
the workplace, the school, the place of worship or any one of the
other groups and organizations of which he or she is a part.
Distinctive Competence
Every individual and institution should take stock of their
particular gifts and talents and employ them in social problem
solving. Individuals who have an interest in reading can spend
time teaching those who are illiterate. Mothers can teach
parenting skills to unwed pregnant teens. Law firms and doctors'
offices can form mentoring relationships with young people,
stimulating their interest in education and professional careers.
Home builders can make low-cost housing available to the
homeless. Restaurants and grocery stores can supply surplus food
to the hungry each day.
Collaboration
Individuals and institutions working on their own can have an
impact on social problems facing their community. But when
individuals and institutions form partnerships with others,
those with whom they may never have worked together
especially the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts. This
before, and channeling of communities' collective capabilities of is
pooling way to attack comprehensively the multiple problems must be made
the individuals only in need. Accordingly, a special effort
to promote collaborative community problem solving among
disparate groups.
Light from Light
Americans believe that there is little or nothing of they
Too many to make a difference. Yet millions of Americans every
can do gender, race, socioeconomic level, educational address background
age, degree of physical ability are finding ways to social
problems information about Points of Light to their peers
and in their communities. By identifying and in spreading similar
businesses, schools, unions, places of worship, groups,
neighborhoods in other communities, we can show every in solving American
that there is a compelling role for all to play
society's most serious problems.
Leaders
community there are those of every age and background
with In every untapped leadership potential. We must discover people of with
the their communities, recognize and recruit them to this cause, a and
courage and vision to craft solutions to the problems
conspicuously honor them for their work. These leaders natural are
community's "antibodies", its indigenous and potent
defense against decay and destruction and its important source of
renewal.
What is the Office of National Service?
To demonstrate the centrality of service to both his Presidency
and the nation's future, President Bush became the first
President to establish an office in the White House exclusively
devoted to placing direct and consequential community service at
the top of the national agenda. The Office performs the
following functions:
Advises the President on community service policy and proposes
for him to call the nation to service (Daily Point of
ways Light recognition, Honorary Chairmanship of The Points of
Light Foundation, recruitment of community service leaders,
speeches, statements, meetings, visits)
Communicates the President's community service call to the
nation (liaison to The Points of Light Foundation, periodic
progress report mailings, briefings);
Proposes legislative initiatives to support community service
(National and Community Service Act of 1990, tax policy,
volunteer liability protection) ; and
O Assists Cabinet departments and agencies in becoming model
community service institutions.
What is The Points of Light Foundation?
The Points of Light Foundation is a private, non-profit, non-
partisan corporation established in March, 1990. The role of the
Foundation is to help to call the nation to engage in direct and
consequential service focused on serious social problems and to
translate this call into action through a variety of specific
catalytic strategies and programs. Following a comprehensive
planning process, the Foundation became operational in September,
1990. A list of the directors of the Foundation, of which the
President serves as Honorary Chairman, is attached. For further
information about the Foundation, please contact:
The Points of Light Foundation
736 Jackson Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20503
(202) 408-5162
How will Points of Light transform our future?
We envision a new America, one in which every business, union,
school, place of worship, club, group and organization in every
community is a Point of Light. It is a nation in which every
American finds personal fulfillment through direct and
consequential service to those in need.
We see an America where all people are aware of the benefit to
themselves, their community and the nation of engagement in
community service and act on this awareness. Leaders in
organizations of every size and at every level of society make
service a part of what they are and do. All people have ready
access to service ideas that work and are stimulated to build on
these ideas. Communities have the capacity to support the active
engagement of all their citizens in effective service
initiatives. And, both young and old lead the rest of the nation
in a renewed and enduring commitment to service.
For further information, please write or call:
The Office of National Service
(The White House Points of Light Office)
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
(202) 456-6266