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SOS [Summer of Service] Forum at University of Maryland 8/31/93
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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F
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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
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Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
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National Service
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Eli Segal
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1296
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SOS [Summer of Service] Forum at University of Maryland 8/31/93
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file capy
MASTER FORUM/RECEPTION LIST AS OF: Sun Aug 29, 1993 10:50am
THE FORUM ONLY
61 other Sun/Monday participants (see attached list)
B
R
140
Fitzhugh Mullan
141
Kelly Morton (subbing for Marilyn Gaston)
142
Holly Carter (subbing for Dr. Jack Curry)
143
Peter Hart
144
Jonathan Weiner
145
Paul Jamieson (subbing for Ramon Cortines)
146
Rana Sampson
FORUM AND THEN RECEPTION
Special VVIP Seating:
B
R
147
1
Eli Segal
148
2
William E. Kirwan (President, University of Maryland)
149
3
Irv Goldstein (Dean, University of Maryland, College of Behavior and
150
4
Gov. William Donald Schaefer
Social Sciences
151
5
Speaker R. Clayton Mitchell
152
6
St. Sen. Thomas "Mike" Miller
153
7
St. Comptroller Louis Goldstein
154
8
St. Treasurer Lucille Mauer
155
9
Mayor Ann Owens (College Park, MD)
156
10
Mayor Kurt Schmoke (Baltimore, MD)
157
11
County Exec. Paris Glendenning
158
12
Sen. Barbara Mikulski
159
Sen. Mikulski staff
160
Sen. Mikulaki staff
161
13
Rep. Steny Hoyer
162,163
14,15 Rep. Chris Shays and daughter
Rep. Ben Cardin (invited) (may come for Reception only)
Rep. Connie Morella (invited)
Rep. Bill Ford (invited)
Rep. Wayne Gilchrist (invited)
Rep. Albert Wynn (invited)
Rep. Helen Delich Bentley (invited)
Reserved seating in audience (escorted to Reception after Forum)
B
R
164
16
Noel Gould (President, Astrum International Corp.)
165
17
Steve Green (Chairman & CEO, Astrum International Corp.)
166
18
Russy Sumariwalla (President, United Way International)
167
19
Mark Thompson (Vice-President Charles Schwaab)
168
20
George Romney (Board Member, Points of Light Foundation)
169
21
Tom Ehrlich (Chairman, Commission on Ntl & Comm Service)
170
22
Peter Edelman
171
23
Catherine Milton
172
24
Gary Kowalczyk
173
25
Marilyn Smith (University of Maryland)
"
174
26
Terry Chase
"
175
27
Diana Jackson
2
B
R
176
28
Georgia Sorenson (University of Maryland)
177
29
"
Suzanna Strasburg
178
30
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (Director, Maryland Student Service
Alliance)
RECEPTION ONLY (All University of Maryland affiliated)
B
R
31
Stewart Edelstein
32
Katherine Beardsley
33
Deborah Poulin
34
Ermette Williams Purce
35
Effie Lewis
36
Cindi Hale
37
Ferdinand Geiger
38
Barbara Jacoby
39
Gerrard Evans
40
Matthew Haas
41
Melvin Bernstein
42
Howard Dobin
43
Shaila Aery
44
Kathryn Costello
45
Brian Darmody
46
Daniel Fallon
47
Donald Langeberg
48
George McGowan
49
Michael Nacht
50
Sylvia Stewart
51
Charles Sturtz
52
William Thomas
(Prefer to get into Forum if space becomes available
now they
are the only elected officials attending just the Reception)
B
R
53
** St. Rep. Howard P. Rawlings
54 ** St. Rep Barbara Hoffman
55 ** St. Rep Laurence Levitan
56 ** St. Rep Timothy Maloney
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 31, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM
Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
11:00 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: You know, I really love Senator Mikulski
-- if she just weren't so laid back and passive and -- (laughter) --
soft-spoken, you might figure out what's on her mind. (Laughter.)
She was terrific.
I'd like to begin by introducing some other people who
are here, and I hate to do this only because I know I'm going to miss
someone that I should introduce. But I want to begin anyway by
introducing the distinguished Governor of Maryland, Governor Don
Schaefer, one of my former colleagues when I was a governor.
(Applause.) One of the most important leaders in the House of
Representatives, Congressman Steny Hoyer from Maryland. (Applause.)
I want to introduce a man who came all the way from his state of
Connecticut to be here with us today, the first Republican sponsor we
had for the National Service legislation, Representative Chris Shays
from Connecticut. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
I see my good friend, Senator Mike Miller there, the
Democratic Majority in the Senate of Maryland. (Applause.) A former
Congressman from Maryland and now the Cochair of the President's
Council on Physical Fitness -- when he stands up you'll see why --
distinguished former professional basketball player, Mr. Tom
McMillan, my friend in the back. (Applause.)
I was really -- Tom and I ran four miles together the
other day, and he's almost seven feet tall and he ran at a pace I had
difficulty maintaining. So I was very impressed. (Laughter.) He
convinced me he was qualified for the job I gave him.
And finally, I would like to acknowledge the President
of the University of Maryland, President William Kirwan, who is here.
(Applause.) And in some ways, most important of all, the person who
I put in charge of creating and carrying out the National Service
Program, my friend of nearly 25 years, Mr. Eli Segal. I'd like to
ask him to stand. (Applause.)
I'll tell you, I just saw -- there's one other person
way in the back I've got to introduce because he and I started
working on this concept of national service a few years ago through
an organization I was involved in called the Democratic Leadership
Council. And he's a professor here at the University of Maryland,
but he's on leave. He's working in the White House for me now,
Professor Bill Galston. Thank you, Bill, for your help. (Applause.)
I came here mostly to listen to you today and to thank
you, but I wanted to just say a few words. This campus has a special
meaning in my life. The first time I ever came to the University of
Maryland was 30 years ago this summer when I was a delegate from my
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home state of Arkansas to the American Legion Boys Nation program.
We stayed here and then went to Washington frequently to learn about
the government. I met President Kennedy then; I saw members of
Congress, members of the Cabinet, and really had my eyes opened to a
whole world of possibility.
But the thing that I remember I think most clearly after
all these years is that President Kennedy said in his inaugural that
we should not ask what our country could do for us, but we could do
for our country. And he also said that we must always remember that
here on Earth God's work must truly be our own. That's what all of
you have done.
I just finished a two-week vacation, which I needed very
badly because I worked pretty hard the last several years. But you
just finished two months of very important work -- the Summer of
Service ends today, and I hope you feel refreshed by the time you
gave to other people and the service you rendered. And we are about
to begin, as Senator Mikulski says, when the Senate passes the
national service bill next week, we'll start the first full year of
national service at the community level.
I always believe that you and tens of thousands and
eventually hundreds of thousands of young people like you could
change lives. the future of America, and in the process, could change your
I ran for President for two big reasons: One is I
thought our country was not going in the right direction; and the
second, I thought our country was coming apart when it ought to be
coming together. I wanted to get the country moving again, and I
wanted to bring the country together again. I wanted people to have
a sense of the common good. I wanted us to draw strength from our
diversity and to face our problems honestly, and to seize our
opportunities. I wanted people to recognize again that we don't have
lost. a person to waste and that too many of our young people are being
And I believe that we could do it. I never thought the
government could do all these things alone; I just don't believe
that. And for too long our country has been in the middle of this
great debate where some people say, well, the government ought to
solve these problems, and other people say the government ought to
walk away. And I don't believe either is right. The government
basically has to be a partner. In order for government to work, it
has to be a partner.
And I have now, for the last several years, long before
I started running for president, tried to capture this idea in three
simple words: It's those of us in government, it's our
responsibility to try to help create opportunity. So our watchword
should be "opportunity." That's what the economic program's all
about. That's what trying to reform the health care system's all
about. That's what creating a national service bill is all about --
trying to create opportunity.
Then, citizens have to recognize that all the
opportunity in the world doesn't amount to a hill of beans unless
there is someone there to seize responsibility -- personal
responsibility for themselves, their families, their communities
and for their neighbors. And, finally, out of that we can build a
new American community.
There are so many people lost today because they don't
think anybody really cares about them, because they can't imagine the
future, because they have never been the most important person in the
world to anybody else. We have got to create a sense of community in
this country where we're prepared to take responsibility for each
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other, not just to point the finger at each other and tell each other
what we ought to do, but to offer a helping hand.
So I say all these thing to you because I think you
represent that. You represent the best of the opportunity you were
given to be in the Summer of Service, of the personal responsibility
you displayed by doing your work, and of the sense of community that
you helped to create by what you have done.
If every American did what you did for the last two
months, if we all could do that for several years, we could
revolutionize our country. There are no problems we could not solve.
There is no future we cannot have. And I hope with all my heart that
what you have done here will set the standard for the National
Service Project in community after community that young people will
engage in when this bill becomes law.
I told Eli on the way up here today I'm convinced now
there are tens of thousands of young people who could do this every
summer who may not need to, want to, or be able to do it during the
year. And I'm not sure we shouldn't go back to the Congress, Senator
Mikulski and Representative Hoyer and Representative Shays, and at
least file a report on this Summer of Service, and consider having a
special summer program over and above the year-long program we do
because so many young people could do it just during the summer.
(Applause.)
I just want you to remember that you are this country.
You are America. You are this country. (Applause.) And so now I
want to hear from you, but I want you to know that not just your
President but your country is grateful to you for showing what
America can be at its best. And I hope that we'll see it repeated
hundreds of thousands of times over the course of my presidency. And
I hope it will become a permanent part of American life. If it does
the whole country will be stronger. (Applause.)
*****
Q
I'm from Philadelphia Eye Care Program and I was
wondering, does your health care reform plan have any -- does it have
anything to subsidize the kind of door-to-door service needed for
these immunization programs, or any of that preventative medicine
that really is needed in our communities?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, the health care plan that will be
announced in the next few weeks will have a big component of
preventative care in it and will also provide the resources necessary
to support the community-based clinics.
I think it's very important that -- we have spent too
little on preventive and primary care, causing us to have to spend
too much on emergency care and care in later stages. So we're going
to try to invest more in preventive and primary care and in those
neighborhood clinics both in urban and rural areas.
I think it will make a huge difference. The
Philadelphia program is very, very impressive.
Yes. Nice hat. (Laughter.)
Q
Thanks. I'm from Montana, but I worked out in
Seattle this summer. I'll be starting medical school actually
tomorrow, and I just had a question of you for what medical students
can do and how we can play a role in your new plan, and how we can
get on board as advocates of the plan, maybe give some input. Do you
have any plans for including students? Not necessarily just medical
students, but students and people who work in the health care
profession?
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THE PRESIDENT: Yes, actually -- of course, all the
students in all the health care professions will eligible to actually
participate in some of these programs through the national service
initiative, so there will be a continuing opportunity there both
during the school year and during the summer to do that.
Secondly, we have tried over the last several months
through the task force that the First Lady has headed to engage in
dialogue -- medical students, nursing students, other people studying
in the health care professions -- to try to make sure that the
incentives we have in this program produce the kind of health care
system we want and give young people who really want to serve in the
problem areas a chance to do it.
For example, as compared with all other advanced
countries, the United States has far more specialists and far fewer
family practitioners -- dramatic difference, huge difference from any
other country. That means it's much harder to get people out in the
basic clinics doing the basic services. So what we tried to do was
to construct a program which would provide more incentives for
medical schools and for students themselves -- financial incentives
and others to go out and practice family medicine, but at the same
time would not frighten the American people into thinking we're
backing off of medical technology. So there's going to be more
invested in medical research under this program.
So I think that it will be good, and I hope that you
will be able to take advantage of that and continue to participate.
*****
THE PRESIDENT: I'd just like to make one comment again
to try to reinforce the importance of the whole service concept in
the environmental area.
When you talk to most people, maybe even a lot of you
and certainly in my mind, when you mention environmental issues often
you think of policies that ought to be changed. So, for example,
after I became President I had promised to take some different
policies, so we committed ourselves to signing the Biodiversity
Treaty that other nations signed after the World Conference in Rio De
Janeiro last year, or we committed ourselves to reducing the amount
of greenhouses gases in the environment to the 1990 levels by the
year 2000, or last week we committed ourselves to no net loss of
wetlands.
But as you can see, when you pass a law it's one thing
to say these things and another to do it. Just like you did the
Wetlands Restoration Project. An enormous number of the
environmental things that need to be done in this country require the
same amount of labor intensity that it does to go door to door and
try to immunize children. The lead paint example in New York is just
one, but it is a very good one. That's a serious problem in many of
the major cities in America, exposing some of the most vulnerable
children.
That's another irony that you brought out here in your
environmental presentation. A lot of people think of the environment
as preserving distant areas that most people never see. But the
truth is that the people in this country who need a better
environment than most may be those who live in inner cities who are
most subject to pollution from dumps that are there, from paint --
lead in the paint, from any number of other threads.
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So I really appreciate this because I hope that we can
come to see the environment not only in terms of the sweeping
national policies that the Vice President and I have committed
ourselves to, but also in terms of things that preserve the culture
of Native Americans and that literally may preserve the lives of
people not only in rural areas, but in the cities as well. So I
thank you for that.
Anybody got any questions on that subject?
Q I worked at the Energy Coordinating Agency of
Philadelphia this summer. I know you realize there's a link between
the environment, energy and economic growth, because as part of your
economic stimulus package you had asked for increased funding in
energy conservation programs, which creates jobs. My question is, do
you think you're going to continue to seek an increase in funding for
energy conservation programs for low-income households such as WAP --
the Weatherization Assistance Program -- and LIHEAP -- the Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. You know, having been a
governor -- and the states operate those programs; Congress provides
the funds, but the states specifically operate them -- I have seen
firsthand how many jobs they create and also how much good they can
do. I mean, a lot of this -- I didn't make that point before, but a
lot of this weatherization work for poor people, especially for a lot
of elderly people who are stuck in these old houses that have holes
in the walls, literally, a lot of them, or in the floor -- not only
make them warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, they also
save money on their utility bills. They literally do. They conserve
energy and they put more money in the pockets of people who have just
barely enough to get by. So I strongly support them.
I also think that, in general, we should move to more
energy resources that are within our own control. We have vast
amounts of natural gas, for example, in this country that are
environmentally cleaner than a lot of the fuels we burn, and we ought
to move to develop them.
So the short answer to your question is, yes. It's
always -- it's interesting, it's kind of a hard sell in the Congress
now because the price of oil is so low and energy is so cheap -- it's
much cheaper in America than it is in any other major country. But
if you just have enough to get by on, you're living on a Social
Security check or you're living on a minimum wage, it's still very,
very expensive and a big part of your budget.
Thank you. Yes?
Q
I work at New York City ACORN. As you heard, we
dealt with the lead in paint thing every day. And as we went on
tours, looking, speaking to people, door-knocking, we found out that
it wasn't just lead paint and lead poisoning, it was roaches, mice,
ceilings that were caving in. So we found out the conditions were
like Third World conditions in our backyards, in our own
neighborhoods, my own house, my own neighbors. And as we went on we
realized that the problem was much bigger than just the lead painting
and we realized we needed more manpower. And we found that manpower
not just in sos, but in the community.
And my question to you is a very simple one, but it's a
fundamental one. Being a college student I felt very privileged
because I was getting money for the community service, but many times
I wished that peers of mine who weren't in college and community
members could get some type of benefit for the work they did, which
no one asked them to do, and the help that they gave us. My question
to you is what kind of commitment can your administration give to the
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community that wants to be involved and who lacks the resources to
get things going in their own communities? (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Good question. That's a good question
not only on the housing issue, but on a number of other issues. And
I wish I had a very good, complete answer for you today. I can tell
you that that question is one that we have seriously discussed, and I
have asked Henry Cisneros, who is the Secretary of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, to try to come up with a proposal for
me that would help to do that -- where the federal government could
basically help local communities trying to engage the energies of
people who are prepared to volunteer, work part-time, do whatever it
takes to solve some of these problems. They are also very labor-
intensive.
I'm hoping beyond that, that some of the things that
were in this economic program we passed, for example, making --
extending the low-income housing tax credit and some other things
that we put in there, will help state governments and local
communities to work with developers to try to rehabilitate a lot of
these houses and try to put people to work in doing it.
If you look at the building structure of the United
States, we still have a lot of commercial overbuilding; we haven't
worked through that. And a lot of people are in a position now to
finance or refinance their home mortgages or buy new homes because
interest rates are low. But the population growth in America of
people who can buy homes has kind of slowed down. So the real
economic opportunity may be in rehabilitating existing housing
structures. And we are looking at what can be done to try to deal
with that terrible problem.
We went for 12 years without any kind of serious housing
program in America, and it led to a lot of these difficulties. And
now I hope that, through Henry's work, working in partnership with
people at the local level, we can come up with a better idea. So I
don't have an answer for you today, but I can tell you we're working
on the problem. And I see it as a real area of economic opportunity
for people, the rehabilitation of existing housing structures. It's
a better opportunity than building new commercial real estate
buildings in many places and a better opportunity than building even
new houses in some places where there's no population growth and no
demand for it.
So I hope we can come up with an answer to the problem
you've posed.
Q
First, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to
have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Associates Program.
I work with lower income housing as a representative
from North Carolina Lower Housing Coalition. My question is what
type of plan do you have to better stimulate first-time homeownership
programs with decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing?
THE PRESIDENT: The most important thing we can do is
get the mortgages down, which we've done. I mean, we have now the
lowest mortgage rates in 25 years. So that people can buy housing at
lower costs.
The other thing that we did in this last economic
program was to extend something called the Low Income Housing Tax
Credit which basically gives people real incentives to build low-
cost housing that is affordable.
The final thing we're doing is having Mr. Cisneros, the
Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, work with
developers and people in local community groups all across the
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country to try to figure out how we can either build or rehabilitate
more low-income housing. So that those three things together I think
should permit more people -- particularly low-income working people
who have virtually given up on the idea of owning their own home over
the last 15 years as the price of housing outstripped inflation
dramatically I think you're going to see that kind of turn around
now. And I believe that in the next five years the percentage of
people owning their own homes, including lower-income working people,
will go up rather dramatically, but only if we work on all three of
those areas.
*****
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. I think you could
see we were all very moved by the presentation.
Before I ran for President, I was Governor for 12 years,
and I spent during that time more time in schools and with children
and with teachers and watching people learn and watching people
struggle, not just in my state, but around the country I guess in
anything else I did. What I saw there emphasizes some very basic
things that, again, I would say the whole country could learn from
and mobilize young people. Number one, the one-room schoolhouses in
New York proved that children can help other children learn
dramatically.
There's a lot of evidence of that, by the way. I could
-- if we had time I could give you lots of other examples. But at
phenomenal levels, phenomenal levels there's evidence of -- there's a
school in Boston where in order to get in the school the seniors and
juniors had to agree to tutor the 7th and 8th graders. And these
kids were all basically from average or low-income families and most
had average IQs and they all did very well and there was almost no
dropout -- nearly everybody went to college, nearly everybody
finished. And one of the keys things was -- and they had a very,
very hard curriculum, very hard. But the older kids all did the
tutoring for the younger kids -- made a big difference.
Second point that your slide show pointed out and your
presentation was that learning should be fun for children, especially
if they come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Instead of making it a
pain, it should be fun and they should be taught to believe that they
can learn things. That New Orleans Project I'm familiar with -- it
is astonishing that kids that once would be given up as -- you know
you'd be lucky if they could read at the 7th-grade level when they
got out of high school are now being exposed to exposed to physics
and computer technology and all that.
The third point I want to make -- and this is something
that all of you should remember, too -- and that is, there's a lot of
research in America which shows that kids that grow up in
educationally-disadvantaged homes or poor homes may work like crazy
in school, but they're always afraid that they're not going to do as
well as other kids, so they're always afraid to say what they don't
know. But most of the best learning occurs in groups.
There was a huge study done a couple of years ago -- and
a lot of you going to college, you'll remember this -- a huge study
done in California a couple of years ago which showed that different
groups of kids going into the University of California at Berkeley
were studied based on how well they did academically, and the
connection to how hard they studied. The kids that actually spent
the most time studying did the least well because they were afraid to
study with each other because they were ashamed to say what they
didn't know. The kids that studied in groups and talked with each
other about what they didn't know and didn't understand, who worked
together in a family learned like crazy.
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All of these things could be affected nationwide, these
learning patterns could be affected nationwide by programs like this.
You could literally revolutionize the educational system of the
country if there were enough service volunteers like you to reach
these kids.
The last thing I want to say is, a lot of this stuff was
done one on one. Every serious study of kids that grew up in
difficult circumstances and succeeded against all the odds show that
every one of them has got a different story, and there's only one
constant that's almost always there: nearly every child had some
sort of a relationship with a caring adult -- (applause) -- which you
qualify for, for these little bitty kids. Keep in mind if you're 18
years old and you're helping some kid that's five, you are the caring
adult. Right?
So those are the points I want to make. Again, I would
say, I hope this work will somehow register on people throughout the
country that may not be within our program, because these four simple
things that you have shown here could change the face of American
education.
Yes, sir? I've been wanting you to talk because I
wanted to get a good look at that hat. (Laughter.)
Q I represent the Harlem Freedom Schools. We were
talking about diversity and the strength in diversity. One of the
major issues was that we have a structure in New York City that
focuses on the basics. While the children that we taught, they had a
range of issues that went beyond the schoolroom and, as you saw in
our film, we had a lot of different ethnic groups and we had cultural
diversity and of religion.
I was wondering, do you have a proposal to address the
state and the board of education in New York City which doesn't push
diversity throughout the year? Because what we did over the program,
over the summer we thought was very successful, but throughout the
school year just the basic three Rs. And we realize that that is
leaving our children at a disadvantage in the community, as well as
interacting and growing. So I was wondering if you had any plans in
the future of addressing that. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Under our system of government,
basically, public education from kindergarten through 12th grade is
the province of the state government and the local school districts.
The federal government provides extra help, by and large, to help
poor kids through nutritional programs or extra educational
resources.
So the New York City School Board would have to decide
to change that. It's an issue, by the way, that you might want to
see what you could do to get it made an issue in the coming mayor's
race. There's going to be a mayor's race in New York. That's what
politics is for, to debate these things. That's what elections are
for, to discuss these.
But I want to try to support what you're saying in this
way: When cultures live separately from one another, you didn't have
to worry about any of this being done at school because it was always
communicated at home, and besides, everybody was just like everybody
else.
Now that we're crashing in on each other -- Los Angeles
County, for example, has 150 different racial and ethnic groups
living in one county. This has become a very important thing. And I
was very moved by what you said about the kids that wouldn't get on
the bus with other kids, that wouldn't go in the classroom with other
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kids. You know, it seems, when you think about it, it's perfectly
logical -- that people coming to another country would be terribly
frightened by people very different from them and maybe the only
image they had of them was something they saw in some cheap thrills
gangster movie or one of those -- so I think it's important.
But I think the only thing that we can do at the
national level besides talk about it -- the President can talk about
it -- is to try to make sure that we run the National Service Program
all year round, like you said, not just in the summertime -- all year
round to make sure that we have volunteers available for programs
like this, and that if a program, for example, in your community is
set up to do this year round, that we would give that a priority
through national service so that we could direct our people and say
you can earn your college grade, you can do it if you'll become a
part of this program. We can support that and we will.
But you also have -- so you can say, look, to New York,
you won't have to pay for all of it, the national service people will
get you the volunteers if you will let the program go forward. And
that's what I think we should do.
Q I am from the Public Service Corps of New York. I
am wondering where do you see national service in 10 years, actually
providing for more young people not just for year-round programs, but
for years into the future? How far do you see this program going on?
THE PRESIDENT: Ten years from now I believe this will
be a major fixture of our national life. I don't believe it will be
10,000 kids a year or 50,000 or 100,000, I think that the program
will become so popular and will so capture the imagination of the
country that, in effect, anybody who wants to be a part of it to help
defray their college costs or just because they want to serve will be
able to do it. I think it will become a very, very big part of
American life.
Because you can see -- just look at what we've seen
already and look at what you're experience is. This country simply
has -- first of all, we've got all these young people full of energy
and passion and belief and without any cynicism and all this talent
out there dying to serve, at a point in your life when you don't have
to support a lot of other people so you can work for a fairly modest
wage, particularly if you get some educational credit out of it.
And secondly, we've just got an unbelievable number of
problems out there that have to be solved in a personal, highly
labor-intensive way that neither the government nor the private
sector could otherwise afford. So I believe 10 years from now, you
will look back 10 years from now and say, I was a pioneer in
something that changed America for the better. (Applause.)
Q
Good morning. I served with the East Bay
Conservation Corps in Oakland, California. And in my service I
worked in a middle school with junior high kids. And you have called
for a great national debate and a new philosophy of government in
many of our social problems, for new solutions. And one of our major
social problems is education and education reform. What role do you
see for national service programs in reforming and innovating our
nation's educational system?
THE PRESIDENT: First, let me tell you what I think the
innovation should be. We have a bill now that we're trying to pass
through the Congress which would write into law the national
education goals that the governors and President Bush's
administration agreed on back in 1989. And I care a lot about them
because at that time I was the Democratic governor representing the
governors to write the goals, so I believe in them.
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One of the things that we learned, after years and years
in studying schools, is that all the magic of education and the
learning occurs not in the White House, not in the statehouse, but in
the schoolhouse and in the school room between the teacher and the
students and then among the students and then at home, if the student
is lucky. We have to find more individual ways of reaching kids and
we've got to make our education system far less bureaucratic, and
we've got to give school by school much more flexibility to
principals and teachers and students to design their learning
programs and to be flexible and to be creative.
So I believe that the role that the National Service
Program will have in the revolution of American education will be
very large if, but only if, we can persuade the schools of our
country, in effect, to restructure themselves to give more
flexibility and authority to the principals, the teachers and the
students on a school-by-school basis.
Q
I'm representing Clarke University, and as you
know, our program's primary focus was education. And as a future
educator, I want to know when will we start making the school system
accountable for educating our children or are we going to have to
continue educating them through community service.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the schools -- community
service should help, but I think the school system should be held
accountable for it. The answer to your question is, we will start
doing that when we start evaluating our schools based on the results
they get rather than the input. For example, let me just give you
one simple example.
We evaluate teachers for whether they can get hired in
most school districts in this country based on whether they've got an
education degree from a certified college of education. Right? So
there are all kinds of Americans who are retired from the military -
-right now, we will take, from 1987 to 1998, the United States
military will go from having 3.5 million people to 1.5 people. Two
million folks out there walking around among the best educated, best
trained, most highly motivated people in the world, with the best
values that know how to get things done. Right? You can have one of
these people, a graduate of the United States military academy and a
massive amount of knowledge in chemistry, and they can't teach in
most of the schools of the country. Most states now have some sort
of exception, but it's a real problem.
Why? Because we evaluate people not on whether they're
good teachers, but on whether they've got good -- the qualifications.
We evaluate schools based on how many kids are in the classroom, what
the schoolbook certification or what does the building look like.
All these things may be important, but we don't have any way of
evaluating our teachers, our schools and our school systems in most
states based on the results they get. What do the kids know when
they started, what do they know when they finished? What happened to
them? What kind of problems did they have, and did they get services
-- that goes back to your question -- did the school actually serve
the problems they had instead of the problems that some kids had a
generation ago -- we're still doing it the way we used to do.
So that's what I'm trying I'm trying to be a part of
a movement, at least, that will decentralize authority, let the
principals, the teachers, the kids and the parents, in effect, design
more and have more flexibility over their own school year, and then
measure them by the results they achieve. So that if you don't get
results, you stop doing what you're doing and you do something else.
But we don't measure anything funded by tax dollars is normally
measured by rules and regulations on the front end instead of results
on the back end. We need less rules and regulations and more
results, and we need it in schools. (Applause.)
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*****
THE PRESIDENT: I just would make one point about that.
When we had a commission to study the needs of the Lower Mississippi
River area, starting in southern Illinois and going all the way to
New Orleans. That is still the poorest part of America. And one of
the things that you forget -- we always think of public safety as an
urban issue, but one of the things that's easy to forget is, it
becomes a big rural issue. And at periodic times in this country you
will see crime waves will sweep across rural America. And one of the
reasons is that a lot of people are just out there and nobody can
even find them.
The story she told you about the county in our state
where people are literally unidentified, where they don't have an
address, where they called for help -- you know, it would take you
five minutes to explain where they were, this is a serious problem in
all of rural America. And I appreciate the work you did on it.
Q Mr. President, I'm from Sacramento, California. My
question pertains to each of the four policy areas we have been
discussing today. Many of us have found while working in service
this summer that many Americans, generations of Americans have found
welfare has become a way of life for them. You spoke during your
campaign and also in recent months since taking office of reforming
our welfare system. And I'd like to know if you could give me three
concrete examples of how you intend to change our welfare system to
break this cycle of poverty and make sure America's children don't
end up impoverished in the future.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I can. That's a good question.
(Applause.) I will give you three concrete examples, but let's talk
about what's wrong with the system now. The original -- very
briefly. The original welfare system was set up for -- again, it
goes back to the question the young man from Harlem asked me about
education, where a lot of the schools are being run for a time that
no longer exists instead of a time that does exist. The original
welfare system was set up to deal with an American society that
existed about 50 years ago, where nearly everybody who wanted to work
could find some kind of job at some low level, but they could find
some kind of job; there were very few women in the work force if they
were in the home and they had children; and the typical welfare
recipient in the beginning was, let's say, a West Virginia minor's
widow, 60 years ago. The husband gets killed in the mines. They
live up in the hills and hollows of West Virginia. The women has a
4th-grade education, she's got three or four kids, no way to go to
work, no job to find. And the welfare supports the kids.
Then there was another typical welfare recipient that
represents about half the people on welfare today, for whom welfare
should exist -- the people who hit on hard times. Suddenly a spouse
dies and there's two little children in the home and you can't work.
or you lose a job and you can't get another one and you run out of
unemployment benefits. In other words about half the people on
welfare only stay for four, five, six months and then they get off.
Those are the people we would all want a welfare system for, because
they fall through the unemployment system cracks, or they need
support or they have little children. They can't be working because
they have a whole slew of them or whatever.
Increasingly, however, there are people on welfare whose
parents were on welfare, whose grandparents were on welfare, who
never have worked, and who basically can stay on forever as long as
they have children under a certain age, because welfare's proper name
is aid to families with dependent children, AFDC -- that's what it
means.
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so, why do people stay on welfare? To know how to fix
it, you have to know why they stay. The benefits aren't all that
great in most states. In fact, over the last 20 years, benefits have
not kept up with inflation. Why do people stay? They stay for one
reason: because they, by and large, have very little education, may
not know how to get into the system; if they did get a job, their job
would pay low wages and they would lose two things they have on
welfare: medical coverage for their kids under the Medicaid program,
and they would then have to pay for child care that they, themselves,
are providing.
Now, I see the Governor paying close attention.
Maryland's done a lot of work on this whole issue in this state. He
can maybe give a better answer than I can. But if you look at the
system -- and, by the way, I have spent hours and hours in my life
talking to people who are on welfare, and nearly all of them want to
get off quick as they can. So what would you do to fix it? First
thing you've got to do is make sure work pays. Eighteen percent of
the American work force, almost one in five, work for a wage that
will not lift a family of four out of poverty.
In the last economic program that we passed just before
the Congress went on recess, one of the most important parts of it
was to increase something called the earned income tax credit, which
is a refund you can get from the government on your tax system to say
to the working people of this country: If you work 40 hours a week
and you have a child in your house, you will be lifted above poverty
by the tax system. We will not tax you into poverty. If you're
willing to work hard, play by the rules and raise your kids, we'll
lift you out of poverty. That's the first thing. That's one
specific thing, very important.
The second thing you have to do is to provide medical
coverage for all Americans without regard to whether they're working
or not. Seventy percent of all the people in this country who don't
have health insurance are working for a living. So if you're on
welfare, let me just give you an example. This is something that
actually happens now. I helped work on a welfare reform program
which Congress passed and President Reagan signed in late 1988 right
before he left office. And to try to deal with this medical coverage
program, we said, if you get a job that doesn't have health insurance
we will provide you health insurance for six or nine months to get
you off welfare. That's great, but guess what happens? You've got
two people working side by side, one of them that used to be on
welfare has got health insurance for her kids for nine months,
working next to somebody who has never been on welfare that doesn't
have any health insurance.
So the second thing you have to do if you want to end
welfare as we know it is to provide a system like every other
advanced country has, that has affordable health care for all
Americans. If you don't do it, you're going to continue to have
these problems. The third thing you have to do is to make sure that
all the states that run the welfare program have the resources they
need and the incentives they need to actually train people for jobs
that it will exist.
And then there's one final thing -- there's a fourth
thing you have to do. If you want to end the welfare system as you
know it, you have to say, if you have health care for your kids and
yourself, and you have the education and training, after a certain
amount of time if you don't go to work there will be some sort of
community service job provided for you by the local government, and
that's what you have to do if you want to get an income. In other
words, there has to be an end of it.
Finally, you have to move people to independence and
away from dependence. If we did those four things, we could end the
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welfare system as we know it and we could leave welfare for the
people that really need it. And all of you would feel good about the
program instead of bad about it. (Applause.)
Q
First of all, I wanted to say that the reason why I
supported you in your campaign for the presidency is because of your
commitment to national social service. And I'm proud to be part of
this program.
I work for Uptown Habitat for Humanity in Chicago. And
we thank you for your support of Habitat. I spent my summer of
service on the west side of Chicago at one of our newer sites where
we are rehabing three newer buildings. We've been working in
partnership with the local organizations, as well as the schools,
because we believe that if you put decent housing in communities with
families who feel that they have a stake in their community it will
work hand in hand with improving our education system.
But we have had many obstacles; one of them is funding,
obviously. We are working right now on trying to get funding from
HOME and funding programs such as that. My question to you is would
you support a lessening in restrictions in such programs such as HOME
because they sort of prefer rental as opposed to homeownership which
we believe is the key? Would you support lessening in restriction on
those kinds of funding programs?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I do support that. I don't know if
I can prevail, but I do support that. There's a reason why there's
been a longstanding debate in the Congress about this. And a lot of
the members of Congress who really believe in providing affordable
housing to people are afraid if you move away from -- if you have a
really strong bias in favor of homeownership, that the good things
that would be done by Habitat for Humanity, for example, would be
offset by people being, in effect, cut lose in these public housing
units that then they won't have the resources to maintain.
So what we have to do it in a delicate way but you're --
I think you're absolutely right. And I think it has to be done.
By the way, for those of you who don't know about -- we
talked about it a couple of times, but Habitat for Humanity is
arguably the most successful continuous community service project in
the history of the United States. (Applause.) It is -- started by
two wonderful people, Millard and Linda Fuller, who I was lucky
enough to meet in another life before I ever thought about doing this
job. But it is literally -- it is organized on a community service
basis, community by community. They never take any government money.
And it has revolutionized the lives of -- how many houses has Habitat
built now?
Q
-- are we building now?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I mean where are they now in the
cumulative total? Does anybody know? How many?
Q
Twenty-one thousand around the world.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, that's how many they're building
right now. They've built more, though. But anyway, it's an amazing
thing. And I think -- I wish I knew. I did know a couple of months
ago but I've forgotten.
I just -- you're absolutely right. What we need to do
-- that's one way we can have a partnership with Habitat. If we use
the HOME program to favor more homeownership. And I think we can do
it in a way that will satisfy the legitimate concern of members of
Congress that we not be in a position of handing over big housing
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units to people who don't have the capacity, the resources to
maintain them. That's the real problem there.
Q
My question, this summer we did a joint education
and public safety project with conflict resolution and issues of
safety. And my question was, as the national service progresses,
will it provide opportunity for former participants to serve in
advisory roles in development of new projects, new service projects,
especially in the field of public safety since we've been out in the
field and we've been in the trenches and I think we have a lot to
give to the commission in terms of developing new projects?
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: I'll let Mr. Segal answer that. Eli.
MR. SEGAL: We've learned so much in the course of the
last eight weeks I think. Had we not thought of it we would have
said to you yes to you right now. It's a great idea, and we
certainly need to make certain we're enjoying all the benefit of all
the wisdom you've learned and it certainly should be part of the
program going forward.
THE PRESIDENT: Let me make a suggestion. If you have a
specific idea about how we can do that and how we should do that, if
you would write it up and send it to Mr. Segal I'd really appreciate
it. I think -- I hadn't thought of it before and it is self-
evidently the right thing to do. So why don't you think about it a
little bit and write him a proposal on it.
Q
I'm from the Pennsylvania Service Corps, one of the
full-year national demonstration models. And before I ask the
question I wanted to present to you our uniform teeshirt, if that
would be okay. So you can get that from us.
THE PRESIDENT: He'll bring it to me. Go ahead.
(Laughter.) Thanks, Kris.
Q
And they're all across the state of Pennsylvania.
(Applause.)
My question for you is, I'm placed in a school district
where I try to make placement plates for middle school age children,
as well as bringing back community members to give service to the
school itself. My question is, what is your view on making community
service or national service mandatory and part of the school
curriculum?
THE PRESIDENT: A different question -- those are two
different questions. I don't believe that participation in this
program, the National Service Program, which we are proposing is, by
definition, voluntary, but you get something for it. You get credit
for your -- toward college.
I believe that it is a very good thing for states or
local school districts to mandate community service for kids at
certain levels in the public schools. (Applause.) A few years ago I
had the opportunity to serve on a commission on middle schools, and
we recommended two things that didn't get done, but I thought should
be. One is that there ought to be a set of basic civic values that
are taught in the schools, and the second was that community service
ought to be a part of the curriculum. So, yes, I think that every
state should include community service as a part of the curriculum at
some appropriate point where students, young people, as a part of
their education, get the experience of doing what you've done.
The thrill of it and learn from it and see -- don't you
find that you see the world in a different way once you do this? I
mean, you know what the problems are but you also have a sense that
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you can solve them and make a difference? Yes, that's what I think
should be done.
Yes, over in the corner.
Q Hi. I'm from the General Service Corps. It's
multitalented. So I just wanted to ask you, did you know how many
kids nowadays are being jailed, and what can we do about it, from
your perspective?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, there are a huge number of young
people in jail. We have now the unfortunate distinction of having
the highest percentage of our people in prison of any country in the
world. Did you know that? America has the highest percentage of its
population behind bars of any country in the world, and most of them
are young. Most of them are under 25 years of age.
I think in a way all of you are doing something about
it. I think that if you -- go to the prisons and talk to these
people and get the story of their lives an figure out how they got
there. And most of them never met anybody like you on a consistent
basis, that is, had a chance to be part of what you are doing. And
so, I think there are a lot of things we can do about it, but in the
end, what we have to do about it is to continue to touch more of them
at the earliest possible point in their lives so they don't wind up
doing what they're doing later, and keep something in their mind
about tomorrow. Let them always believe there is a tomorrow, that
there is a future, that there is something they can do that makes
them feel good, that makes them important, that makes their lives
meaningful, that doesn't require them to do what they do to get in
prison.
I also think that a lot of kids who wind up getting in
trouble because they're in gangs do it because -- it goes back to
what I said about studying -- everybody wants to be in a gang. You
just hope it's a good gang and not a bad gang, right? You're in a
gang. That's what all these teeshirts mean. Right? See what I
mean? (Applause.)
So I think the whole point of what you do is to try to
gather them up before it happens. Also, there's a whole lot of law
enforcement strategies that work and antidrug strategies, and we
could talk about that. But from your point of view, giving people
something to say yes to, as well as something to say no to, and to be
part of a group that matters, I think that would do more over the
long run. If you gave every kid in America that chance, every one of
them that chance, you would see the prison population go down
dramatically over 10 or 15 years. Not overnight, but over a 10- or
15-year period.
Q
To go along with what the young man was saying,
what do you have in mind in terms of the initiatives for African
American and Latino males, since, according to records, a large
majority of the jail populations are African American and Latino? And
what would be some of those initiatives to get to them before they
get to the jails, in terms of self-esteem, education and pride in
their culture?
THE PRESIDENT: What I think I can do -- again, I will
say -- I gave this answer to another question, but one of the things
that I like about this national service concept is that we can go out
and recruit African American and Latino males, and then we can give
priority to projects, community by community, that we know have a
good chance of succeeding, and put people in there and help to pay
for it. That's what we can do. And that will be a major -- that's
what you did, I mean, without maybe thinking about it in that way.
But that's what we can do.
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But what you've also got to do is to make sure that
those things which are in the control of the state, or those things
which are in the control of the local government, or those things
which the private sector ought to be doing in your community, that
they're doing that, too. For example, I still think you could rescue
a bunch of kids that are in trouble if you have the right kind of
court programs, if you have alternatives to incarceration for first
offenders.
We've got another program that is separate from this
now. I'm really proud of it. I signed a bill in June -- another one
of my passions where we're using empty military bases and National
Guard volunteers to work with high school dropouts to give them a
chance to do what they once might have done in the military but can't
now because we've phased the military down so much, to recover their
future and get a GED.
So we're going to continue to do programs like that that
are highly targeted toward people that otherwise might get in
trouble. But I will say what we want to do at the national level is
to provide a vehicle for people like you to serve. But you still got
to get people at the local level to say, hey, this is a problem in
our community; will you give us the folks to do it? And then we can
say, yes.
Q How you doing?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm doing better since I spent the last
couple of hours with you. (Laughter.)
Q
That's great. Basically, what I did was I went to
a lot of schools, a lot of junior high schools in the inner cities
and I spoke to a lot of the children about -- and educated them about
gangs, gang awareness, gang recruitment, how to stay away from gangs,
how to avoid it. Also about drugs and alcohol, and self-esteem and
the values and importance of education. A lot of the children that
live in my neighborhood, like myself, since I was a younger child I
witnessed things like massive gang-related homicides. And this is
something that's dangerous and L.A. right now, in my opinion, is at a
state of emergency. And I feel that what we need to do is reach the
children when they're young and show them an alternative way to go
when they're faced with these, you know, these types of situations.
And what I do is I work with conflict resolution and I
also influence the children to involve themselves in beautification
of their own communities. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: If I might just respond to you. You
know, I've spent a lot of time in your community over the last -- and
I started going there before I ran for president and before the
riots. I first went to South Central L.A. over three years ago now -
- just to sit and talk with people. I went to a -- my wife and I
went and talked with a bunch of 6th graders and we met with the
people from Uno and SCOC, the community organizations out there and
others. And one of the things I think Americans who don't live in
these really troubled communities often forget is that most people
who live in places like that do not break the law, get up and go to
work every day, want their children to do well, are doing the best
they can. And a lot of the kids who wind up in gangs do it almost
alternatives. out of self-defense because they don't think they have any
I was out there the other day -- you probably don't
remember this, but I visited that sporting goods store in South
Central L.A. run by the two guys who used to be gangs. We played
basketball in the backyard there -- the parking lot of the sporting
goods store. But I think that is so important.
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Now, again, we have a job to do. We, the government and
the private sector, have got to put more opportunity into places like
that.
One of the things that the Congress did in this economic
program I really hope will work -- at least we've got a chance to see
now -- is to pass a bill which will enable us to identify six really
troubled big, urban areas and say to people in the private sector,
look, we'll give you a whole lot of extra incentives if you'll put
your money there, create jobs there, and put people to work. I mean,
it is nuts if you go into some of these areas and you think about all
these people just walking around without jobs. That's an enormous
resource going to waste. If those people were working, they'd have
money to buy things from other people. They would create jobs.
We've allowed this economy to shrink.
But over and above that, we have to put in a lot of
volunteers -- people like you who can do that. I mean, I'm convinced
that the economy is one thing we have to address, but all these
social problems have to be addressed one-on-one.
And let me just close with this sentence. I was talking
to somebody I've known since I was six years old the other day. And
we were talking about all the kids in trouble. And she said, "You
know, a guy asked me the other day what are we going to do about all
these kids? How are we going to save all these kids?" And she said,
"We've got to save them the same way we lost them: one at a time."
(Applause.) And so you can have an enormous impact on the future of
your community. And it's up to me to try to make sure that we can
keep programs like this going so that you and people like you will
have a chance to do that.
It's also important that you be an advocate for all
those people and not let us forget about them. I mean, it's crazy
just to pay attention to a city when all the buildings burn down.
Then it's often too late. We need to pay attention to them when the
kids are growing up and they're trying to do the right thing. And I
hope that in South Central L.A. and in a lot of the other places that
are represented here today, we're going to be able to do that. Not
that we'll solve the problems overnight, but if everybody knows we're
trying, everybody knows we're working together, everybody knows we're
going in the right direction, that is the feeling I think people
want. That's what gets people going.
What breaks people is not the problems they face; what
breaks people is that they think tomorrow is not going to be any
better than today. And what this national service is about is making
people believe that it will be different. And you have proved that.
(Applause.) Thank you.
Q
And finally, Mr. President, nowhere have we seen
service so urgently needed --
Q
Excuse me, Mr. President. I've got a really
important question to ask and a really important observation. I'm
from Ohio Wesleyan University and I'm under the direction of John
Powers. And I'd like to take time to ask you to recognize the
program directors and the community leaders who are here and who have
come so far to -- (applause) --
THE PRESIDENT: Would they stand up? Will you have them
stand up?
Q
-- to make sure that your vision has gone through.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Stand up. Stand up. (Applause.) Good
for you. Good for you. Thank you.
MORE
- 18 -
I
Also we just have one other thing. I'm also
with Ohio Wesleyan University. On the point you just made about
getting to the children and getting to the cities before they burn
down is something that we're really concerned about in Delaware,
Ohio. Most of the program, the National Service Program, had a
strong emphasis and focus on the urban areas. And in Delaware, Ohio,
we're having a lot of trouble with public safety, education, health
care and environmental awareness.
I worked this summer at the Delaware County Juvenile
Court where they were swamped with 90-percent increases in juvenile
offenders. And what we see is those issues aren't being addressed on
a rural level, they're being just slipped under the carpet on a rural
level because we're assuming that our small rural towns aren't having
the same problems as our large urban societies.
Our question is, what direction do you perceive that the
movement of national service should take to be inclusive of rural
problems of education, public safety, environment and health, given
that the predominant focus has been exemplified this summer of being
that of urban issues?
THE PRESIDENT: It is true that this summer, because we
were basically doing a test program this summer and we wanted to plug
into programs that were established and that had a real chance of
working the program you mentioned in Philadelphia, the program --
the City Year Program that Greg's involved with that we knew were
working. So we did that, and we did it deliberately, and I still
think it was the right thing to do.
On the other hand, there were some non-urban projects:
The Red Lake Project, the one in south Texas that was done. And as I
said earlier, I come from rural background, a state full of small
towns and rural areas, and I know that all the problems that are in
the big cities are also there. So we are going to appoint this board
to run the National Service Program that is fully representative of
the rest of the country, and one of their missions will be to
allocate the resources in a way that are fair to the whole country so
that we don't forget about the small towns and the rural areas.
They're not must different, except in size, in the scope of the
problems that they face today. And I thank you for saying that.
(Applause.) Give them a hand. (Applause.)
*****
THE PRESIDENT: First, let me just say a simple thank
you to all of you.
I was in the Midwest during the floods on four occasions
and I saw a lot of young people there working hard and really giving
it all they had. But one of the things I think being a governor is a
good preparation for President is dealing with natural disasters,
because when you see them occur -- first of all, it's just
breathtaking to see a flood take away a town or a tornado or a
hurricane blow away a place. But the other thing, you know, is just
what you got through saying, that everybody pours out their heart
when it's happening and they come and help and then -- but a year
from now there are still people who don't have their lives together.
And the stresses on the families and the communities are staggering.
One interesting thing we have done is to -- as soon as I
got in office, I named Henry Cisneros as the administration's
coordinator for dealing with the long-term relief of Hurricane
Andrew. Then I named Mike Espy, the Agriculture Secretary, the
administration's coordinator dealing with the long-term relief in the
Midwest. These are the kinds of things that we have to do. We've
got to stay with it for the long run. And I hope that the National
Service Project can provide volunteers next year in the Midwest if
they are needed, and next year in South Florida if they are needed,
- 19 -
so that we don't forget about those people. It takes a long time to
recover from a disaster of the magnitude of Andrew or a 500-year
flood, which is what we just had in the Midwest. And I really thank
you for it. (Applause.) Thank you.
Q
Mr. President, we thank you very much for being
with us today. We thank you for giving us this common ground to do
this. (Applause.)
END
12:54 P.M. EDT
MORE
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 31, 1993
PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES SEVERAL TO POSTS
AT AGRICULTURE, DEFENSE, HHS, LABOR, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND A.I.D.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Clinton today announced his
intention to nominate the following individuals to posts in his
Administration:
Department of Agriculture
Michael Dunn, Administrator of the Farmers Home
Administration
Department of Defense
H. Allen Holmes, Assistant Secretary for Special Operations
and Low-Intensity Conflict
Department of Labor
J. Davitt McAteer, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and
Health
Preston Taylor, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Veterans
Employment'and Training
Department of Veterans Affairs
Kathy Jurado, Assistant Secretary for Public and
Intergovernmental Affairs
Agency for International Development
Mark Schneider, Assistant Administrator for Latin America
and the Caribbean
The President applauded his new nominees.
"These individuals, experienced in each of their fields, are
important additions to our administration," the President said.
"Michael Dunn's work at the National Farmers Union will
serve him well as he takes the helm on issues important to rural
Americans. H. Allen Holmes brings an extensive knowledge of
foreign affairs and previous State Department experience to his
new role. Mr. McAteer's important work in mine safety will assist
him as he works to ensure the safety of our country's mine
workers.
(more)
Appointments
pg.2
"I am confident General Taylor will be an effective advocate
for veterans in the Labor Department as will Kathy Jurado in the
Department of Veterans Affairs. Mark Schneider's experience in
pan-american issues will also bode him well as he takes his post
at AID, the President said.
Biographical sketches of the nominees follow:
Michael V. Dunn has served as Vice President for Government
Affairs of the National Farmers Union since 1988. Prior, he
served as a staff member on the U.S. Senate Agricultural
Committee (1987 - 88), as Vice President for Government Relations
for the Farm Credits Bank of Omaha (1982 - 86), and as a
commissioner of the Iowa Development Commission (1981-84). Dunn
earned a BA from the University of New Mexico in 1971 and a MA
from the university in 1972.
H. Allen Holmes is a Career Minister of the U.S. Foreign Service
who was sworn in as Ambassador at Large for Burdensharing in
1989. In his role as ambassador, Holmes was responsible to the
President for ensuring a more balanced sharing of security
responsibilities and costs by NATO members, Japan and other
allies. Holmes previously served as an assistant secretary of
state for politico-military affairs (1985 - 89) and as Ambassador
to Portugal (1982 - 85). Holmes earned a BA from Princeton in
1954 and served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps from
1954-57.
J. Davitt McAteer has served as executive director of the
Occupational Safety and Health Law Center since 1984. From 1976-
84, he served as director and attorney of the mining project at
the Center for Law and Social Policy. Previously, McAteer served
as solicitor of safety and attorney with the United Mine Workers
of America (1972-76) and as an attorney with Ralph Nader's Center
for the Study of Responsive Law (1971-72). He is the author of
numerous articles on mine safety. McAteer earned a BA from
Wheeling College in 1966 and a JD from West Virginia University
in 1970.
(more)
Appointments
pg. 3
Preston M. Taylor, Jr., a retired Brigadier General, has served
as Deputy Adjutant General of New Jersey since 1990, second in
command of the state's Department of Military and Veteran's
Affairs. Previously, Taylor served as a policy planner for that
department (1988-90). For the bulk of his career (1960 - 88),
Taylor was supervisor at the Naval Air Warfare Center in
Lakehurst, New Jersey. Taylor earned a BA from Pepperdine
University and a MA from Central Michigan University.
Kathy Jurado, a public affairs specialist, served on the
Presidential Transition Team and as Florida Press Secretary for
the Clinton-Gore campaign. From 1991-92, Jurado served as
director of communications and public affairs for the Florida
Democratic Party. From 1990-91, she served on the Transition team
staff of Florida Governor-elect Lawton Chiles. Formerly, Jurado
was vice president of corporate communications for the Home
Shopping network. She earned a BA from the University of Notre
Dame in 1982.
Mark Schneider is chief of the Office of Analysis and Strategic
Planning and Senior Policy Advisor to the Director of the Pan
American Health Organization of the Regional Office of the World
Health Organization. From 1977-79, Schneider was a senior deputy
assistant secretary of state for human rights in the State
Department. He served as a legislative assistant for Senator
Edward Kennedy from 1970-77 and 1980-81. Schneider is a former
reporter and Peace Corps volunteer. He earned a BA from the
University of California-Berkeley in 1963 and a MA from San Jose
State College in 1965.
-30-30-30-
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 31, 1993
PRESIDENT CLINTON APPOINTS 38 TO SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE POSTS
IN 16 DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Clinton today announced his
appointment of 38 men and women to Senior Executive Service posts
in his Administration.
"I am proud today to name these hard-working men and women to
posts in my Administration," the President said.
Asian Development Bank
N. Cinnamon Dornsife
Alternate Executive Director
N. Cinnamon Dornsife has over fifteen years of international
development and foreign policy experience. She was most recently
the Program Director, Asian Affairs, for US-Asia Environmental
Partnership where she was responsible for policy affairs and
program development. She served as The Asia Foundation's Washington
Representative for four years and worked in Indonesia as a field
representative for six years.
Department of Commerce
Gary Bachula
Deputy Under Secretary of Technology Administration
Gary Bachula possesses eighteen years experience in public
administration. Most recently, he was Vice President for Planning
and Program Development at the non-profit Consortium for
International Earth Science Information Network. He also served on
Former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard's Cabinet Council on Human
Investment where he helped reinvent the state workforce development
plans.
1
Department of Commerce cont.
Keith Calhoun-Senghor
Director of the Office of Space Commerce
Keith Calhoun-Senghor, a former Fulbright Scholar at the University of
Bonn, West Germany, and a Foreign Fellow through the German Academic
Exchange Service, West Germany, comes to the Department of Commerce from
a private legal practice in the areas of government relations,
litigation, contracts, labor and commercial law. He is also President of
Noma International Enterprises, assisting American firms with trade,
investment, joint venture and project development
opportunities in Eastern Europe and abroad.
Michele C. Farquhar
Director of the Office of Policy Control & Management
National Telecommunications & Information Administration
Michele Farquhar was most recently Vice President for Law and Regulatory
Policy for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association. Prior to
her work there, she served as a Senior Advisor to a Commissioner, capping
four and a half years at the Federal Communications Commission. During the
Carter Administration, she had been a press aide in the White House Press
Office.
Katherine W. Kimball
Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Katherine Kimball was President-elect Clinton's Deputy Director for Policy
and External Affairs on the Natural Resources Cluster during the
Transition. She also was environment counsel to the Senate Committee on
the Environment and Public Works since 1988. Previously, she
was Associate then Assistant Counsel from 1984 to 1988.
She was
Legislative Director in the office of Rep. Allan Mollohan (D-WV) from 1983
to 1984 where she was personally responsible for issues that came before
the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee. Ms. Kimball was an
Investigator of the Three Mile Island incident for the Senate's
Environment and Public Works Committee from 1979-1980.
Paul L. Rosenberg
Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning for the International Trade
Paul Rosenberg was Executive Vice President of the Kensington Investment
Company, Inc., where he had the responsibility over the ownership and
management of $50,000,000 of real estate assets in Greater Boston and New
England. He also managed development projects in Boston and New Hampshire
with a special focus on environmental development issues.
2
Department of Commerce cont,
Jonathan M. silver
Assistant Deputy Secretary
Jonathan Silver was a private investor and the Managing Partner of
Waybridge Holdings, an investment fund with interests in media, fitness,
and finance. Previously, Mr. Silver was a Managing Partner and the Chief
Operating Officer of Tiger Management, Inc., one of the largest hedge
funds in the country. Having served as a member of the United
Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization delegation to
the United Nations and as a delegate to the International Labor
Conferences, Mr. Silver has extensive public sector experience.
Department of Defense
Cheryl P. Bowen
Executive Director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the
Guard & Reserve
Cheryl Bowen, currently a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve, has
worked for the Department of Defense in Ubon/Thailand, Wiesbaden/Germany,
and Washington/DC. Most recently, she was the Director of Management
Information Systems for the Office of Technical Assistance at the General
Services Administration. She possesses over 12 years of experience
in program management, training, and development.
Joan Kelly Horn
Chair of the Reinvestment Assistance Task Force
Until most recently, Joan Kelly Horn was a Democratic Member of the House
of Representatives from the 2nd Congressional District of Missouri. She
served on the Science, Space and Technology Committee; the Public Works
and Transportation Committee, Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee;
and also served on the Congressional Board of Directors, Office of
Technology Assessment.
Josephine 8. Huang
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Environmental Security
Josephine Huang brings with her a unique blend of federal, state and
private sector experience spanning more than twenty-five years. Ten of
those years were as a Toxicologist at the EPA and as a Program Manager of
EPA's multi-disciplinary and multimedia regulatory programs in the areas
of health effects, risk assessment, environmental monitoring, technology
development, and hazardous wastes. She offers over ten years of
experience in health-related research work with State Government and more
than five years of private sector experience in environmental
engineering, program management, regulatory policy analysis and business
development.
3
Department of Defense cont.
Clark A. Murdock
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Plans & Policy
Since 1987, Clark Murdock has been a Professional Staff Member on the U.
S. House of Representative's Committee on Armed Services. He served as
a Senior Policy Advisor to the Chair specializing in foreign policy and
long-range strategic planning. He also headed the Chair's Iraq Task Force
during the Persian Gulf crisis. Prior to his experience on the Hill, he
was with the CIA as the Research Director in the Office of African and
Latin American Affairs.
David Ochmanek
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resources and Plans
David Ochmanek has been with the RAND Corporation since 1983. First as
a member of the research staff then, starting in 1989, he was Program
Director for the National Security Strategies Program/Project AIR FORCE.
He has done extensive work to identify ways to improve the capabilities
of tactical air forces in Europe and elsewhere.
Department of Education
Eugene E. Garcia
Director of the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Congressional
Affairs
Eugene Garcia, a widely respected researcher in bilingual education, was
most recently Co-Director of the National Center for Research on Cultural
Diversity and Second Language Learning. He also serves as Dean of the
Division of Social Sciences at the University of California, Santa
Cruz.
Thomas Hehir
Director for Special Education Programs
Thomas Hehir was formerly Senior Researcher with the Education Development
Center, Inc. He provided project leadership for two national projects:
Atlas, funded by the New American School Development Corporation and the
Comprehensive School Restructuring Project, funded by the U. S. Department
of Education's Office of Special Education Programs and the National
Center to Improve Practice for Students with Disabilities Through
Technology, Media, and Materials. He was also the Associate
Superintendent of Chicago's Public Schools from 1990 to 1993.
4
Department of Energy
Jana Sawyer Prewitt
Special Assistant to the Director for Communications in the Office of
Public Affairs
Jana Sawyer Prewitt was most recently Interim Press Secretary to Arkansas
Governor Jim Guy Tucker and, in 1992, was Special Assistant to Former
Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. Prior to that experience, she was the
Managing General Partner of River Country Development Corporation
where she was chief operations, financial, and marketing officer for the
leisure development/management company and theme park.
European Bank of Reconstruction and Development
Lee Jackson
Alternate Executive Director
Lee Jackson is the former Collector-Treasurer for the City of Boston
where, among other things, he was responsible for the investment of $1.5
billion of operating, capital, and trust funds annually and the collection
of $1.3 billion of revenue each year. Prior to that experience, he was
Vice President of the Public Finance Department of the First Boston
Corporation. He was also Vice President of the Municipal Finance
Department of Salomon Brothers, Inc.
General Services Administration
Cynthia A. Metzler
Associate Administrator
Cynthia Metzler was previously Special Assistant to the Chair for New
Initiatives and Programs at the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Prior
to that she was Chief Counsel to the Chair from 1988 to 1989 and, from
1987-1988, Chief Counsel and Executive Assistant to a member of the
Federal Labor Relations Authority. She was also Executive Director of
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., from 1979 to 1986.
Department of Health and Human Services
Faye Baggiano
Associate Administrator of the Communications and Beneficiary Service
Health Care Finance Service
Faye Baggiano comes to HHS from Robbins-Gioia, Inc., where she has been
responsible for the development of new business markets in federal, state,
and commercial sectors for business engineering services since 1988.
Prior to that, she was Commissioner of the Alabama Department
of Human Resources and Commissioner of the Alabama Medicaid Agency,
serving from 1981-1987. The only appointed individual to serve through
two Democratic Alabama Governors' administrations.
5
Department of Health and Human Services cont.
Lavinia Limon
Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement
Lavinia Limon brings with her over seventeen years of professional
experience managing domestic and overseas refugee, social service, and
immigration programs. Most recently, she was Executive
Director of the International Institute of Los Angeles, a nonprofit
community organization whose mission is to assist immigrants, refugees,
the foreign born and their children to achieve economic and social self
sufficiency. She is also a Founding Member of the Coalition for Humane
Immigration Rights of Los Angeles.
Donald Sykes
Director of the Office of Community Services
Administration for Children & Families
Donald Sykes has been the Executive Director of the New Hope Project in
Milwaukee, WI, since 1992. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director
of the Community Relations-Social Development Commission in
Milwaukee, WI, for twenty years. He has also been an Adjunct Professor
in the Department of Urban Affairs at the University of Wisconsin.
Sally R. Richardson
Director of the Medicaid Bureau of the Health Care Finance Administration
Sally Richardson was most recently the Vice-Chair of the West Virginia
Health Care Planning Commission where she was the Governor's appointee to
the Legislative Commission charged with developing a system of universal
access to affordable, quality health care for all West Virginia residents.
She has also been Director and Chair of the West Virginia Public Employees
Insurance Agency as well as Chair of the West Virginia Health Care Cost
Review Authority.
Michael S. Wald
Deputy General Counsel
Michael Wald was formerly the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor of Law at
Stanford University where his major fields of teaching were Children &
Public Policy; Child Abuse/Neglect; Family Policy; and Welfare Policy.
From 1984-1987 he served as Director of The Stanford Center for the Study
of Families, Children, and Youth, an interdisciplinary research
organization which sponsors, funds, and facilitates research regarding
children at risk. For the past twenty years, he has devoted significant
amounts of time to drafting legislation designed to reform the child
welfare system and has been involved in drafting all of the major
California legislation relating to abused and neglected children.
6
Department of Health and Human Services cont.
Robert Williams
Director of the Administration for Developmental Disabilities
Robert Williams, President of Hear our Voices (an advocacy group for
people who use augmenting communications devices) and Vice President of
The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, was most recently a
Policy Associate in the Governmental Activities Department of The United
Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc. In that capacity, he spearheaded that
organization's Washington-based and national grassroots advocacy efforts
on the Americans with Disabilities Act, all personal assistance
services legislative initiatives, and civil rights. He was also Deputy
Director, Pratt Monitoring Program for the DC Association for Retarded
Citizens.
Department of the Interior
Robert P. Davison
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Fish, Wildlife, & Parks
Robert Davison has been a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on
the Environment and Public Works for the U. S. Senate for the past seven
years. There, he has been the majority staff person responsible
for fisheries, wildlife, endangered species, wetlands, and oil pollution
issues. Prior to that, he was the Legislative Representative for the
Fisheries and Wildlife Division of the National Wildlife Federation for
four years. He has also been an Assistant Professor in the Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at the South Dakota State University.
Cynthia L. Quarterman
Deputy Director of the Minerals Management Service
Cynthia Quarterman comes to Interior from Steptoe & Johnson, a law firm
where she has been an Associate since 1988. There, she gained substantive
experience in the areas of oil pipeline regulation, oil royalty and
income tax litigation, and energy regulation. She also has drafted
periodic reports on the state-of-the-law for the oil pipeline subsection
of the ABA Public Utility, Transportation, and Communications
Committee.
Michael J. Anderson
Associate Solicitor of Indian Affairs
Michael Anderson was most recently the Executive Director of the National
Congress of American Indians. There, he managed the headquarters of the
nation's oldest and largest advocacy organization for American
Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments. Prior to that experience,
he was an Associate in environmental law at McKenna and Cuneo. He was
also Associate Counsel and then General Counsel in 1989 to the US
Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs where he conducted an
investigation of fraud, waste and mismanagement in the US Department of
the Interior programs serving American Indians.
7
Peace Corps
Patricia Wilkerson Garamendi
Administrative Director of Volunteer Recruitment
Patti Garamendi is a former Peace Corps volunteer who brings with her over
twenty-five years of being a volunteer and working with volunteers. She
has also been with the California Trade Missions to China and Russia. In
addition to having been a school teacher, her community service includes
the Governor's Council on Volunteerism, the Lung Association, and the San
Joaquin County Food Bank.
Small Business Administration
Richard Hernandez
Counselor to the Administrator
Richard Hernandez comes to the SBA from Evensen Dodge, Inc., where he was
Senior Vice-President. Previously, he had been Deputy Director of the
Department of Administration of the State of Arizona.
He had also been Associate Administrator for Operations of the SBA from
1977 to 1978.
John T. Spotila
General Counsel
John Spotila was most recently the sole proprietor of a practice
concentrating on sophisticated real estate environmental matters. His
previous experience includes being an Appellate Section Staff Attorney at
the U. S. Department of Justice from 1971 to 1973. He also was co-founder
and General Counsel of Educational Planning Systems, Inc., a corporation
helping families plan financially for college.
Department of State
Bennett Freeman
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
Bennett Freeman, who has been with General Electric since 1985, has been
Manager of Corporate Affairs since 1988. Prior experience includes being
a speechwriter on Walter Mondale's personal staff from 1982 to 1983. He
was also on the Mondale-Ferraro Campaign staff.
Cathy Elizabeth Dalpino
Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Human Rights & Humanitarian
Cathy Dalpino is the former Washington Director of the Asia Foundation's
Center for Asian Pacific Affairs--an organization established in 1985 to
expand and improve the policy dialogue between Asians
and Americans. She directs the Center's international projects on
democratization, civil-military relations, and the impact of the media on
international affairs.
8
Department of State cont.
Mark R. Steinberg
Counselor on International Law
Office of the Legal Advisor
Mark Steinberg comes to State from O'Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles where
he has worked since 1972, and as a partner in the Litigation Department
since 1980. Prior to that he was a writer/producer for NBC in Chicago
from 1968 to 1969. He was also Deputy General Counsel for the Christopher
Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department.
Department of the Treasury
Jose R. Padilla
Associate Customs Commissioner Congressional & Public Affairs
Jose Padilla is the former Executive Director of the California Rural
Legal Assistance in San Francisco where he was charged with the
administration of a state-wide law firm that serves the rural poor in 23
California counties.
Floyd L. Williams, III
Senior Tax Advisor for Public & Legislative Affairs
Floyd Williams served as Chief Tax Counsel at the Tax Foundation since
1991. Prior to that experience, he was a tax consultant. He has also
been Staff Vice President and Legislative Counsel for the National
Association of Home Builders.
Thrift Depositor Protection Board
Dietra L. Ford
Executive Director
Dietra Ford was the Senior Legislative Associate for the US House of
Representative's Committee on the District of Columbia. There, she was
the principal staff member responsible for congressional legislation and
oversight of several issues including federal and local urban planning
issues, economic development, and expansion of home rule authority. She
was also Associate Director for Economic Development Planning in the
Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, DC, from 1974 to 1975.
US Agency for International Development
Michael Mahdesian
Senior Advisor for the Bureau of Food & Humanitarian Assistance
Michael Mahdesian is the former Executive Director of the United Armenian
Fund's Armenian Airlift (1989-1990). He has also been a political
consultant/fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
in addition to having served as a Contract Supervisor for the Laurel
Springs Institute's VISTA Training Program.
9
US Agency for International Development cont.
Alejandro J. Palacios
Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Legislative Affairs
Alejandro Palacios possesses more than fifteen years of experience in
public policy and advocacy and familiarity with the congressional process
having served as Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for
the US Committee for UNICEF. He has also served as Assistant General
Counsel for the Peace Corps and Assistant General Counsel for the Inter-
American Foundation.
US Information Agency
Robert L. Schiffer
Director of the Office of Special Projects
Robert Schiffer comes to USIA from a partnership in Schiffer & Lacey in
New York, a consulting firm which specializes in public finance issues for
financial institutions and health care issues such as hospital
reimbursement and capital finance for health care institutions. He has
also been Managing Director of L. F. Rothschild & Company as well as
Managing Director for Drexel Burnham & Company. Additionally, he has been
Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services for the State of New York.
-30-30-30-
10
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 31, 1993
The President today sent to the Congress FY 1994
budget amendments for the Department of Justice to support
the immigration initiative that the President announced on
July 27, 1993. At the President's direction, $172.5 million
in budgetary resources would be allocated to the implementation
of a more effective immigration policy. of this amount,
$87 million would be financed by user fees and other non-
appropriated sources. The remaining $85.5 million would be
funded by increases to the FY 1994 appropriations requests
of four Department of Justice programs that would be fully
offset by budget authority reductions in other Justice
programs.
The amended appropriations requests would provide the
following:
O
$76 million for the Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS). This amount would restore recent
reductions in the strength of the Border Patrol,
and enable the INS to hire up to 600 additional
Border Patrol agents and equip them with modern
technology. In addition, the INS would expand the
investigation of currently imprisoned excludable
aliens in order to determine their deportability
status before their release, and would increase
staff to expedite asylum review of excludable
aliens. Further, INS would work to reduce the
current backlog of 275,000 asylum cases.
$1.9 million for the Executive Office for Immigration
Review (EOIR) to enable the EOIR to work with INS to
deport criminal aliens more expeditiously upon their
release from correctional facilities.
$1.6 million for the Office of Immigration Litigation
in the Civil Division to handle legal challenges to
legislative and regulatory changes in the asylum and
exclusion systems.
$6 million to provide for potential costs associated
with third country repatriation of smuggled aliens and
appropriations language to increase from $2 million to
$5 million the amount available from existing funds
for rewards for information concerning acts of
terrorism.
Reductions totaling $85.5 million to offset the
preceding increases are requested for Support of
United States Prisoners ($37.5 million) and the
Federal Prison System ($48 million).
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 31, 1993
PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES DR. MICHAEL TRUJILLO
DIRECTOR OF INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES AT HHS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Clinton today announced his
intention to nominate Dr. Michael Trujillo, a physician who has
spent his career working to better health care delivery to Native
Americans across the country, as director of Indian Health
Services within the Department of Health and Human Services.
"Many Americans are without adequate health care, but access
to care for our country's Native Americans has been particularly
poor,' the President said. "Dr. Trujillo has a well-earned
reputation for working to change that situation and I am
confident he will work hard to improve the delivery of health
care to Native Americans in our cities and reservations."
Since 1991, Trujillo has served as area chief medical
officer for the United States Public Health Service's Indian
Health Services division in Portland, Oregon. In this capacity,
Trujillo has run a direct/preventative health delivery program
serving 120,000 Native Americans on 40 reservations and urban
areas across three states. From 1989 - 91, Trujillo served as
associate warden for medical/hospital programs and as medical
director of the Bureau of Prisons Federal Medical Center in
Rochester, Minnesota. Trujillo served as deputy area
director/area chief medical officer of the USPHS Indian Health
Service in Aberdeen, South Dakota from 1985 - 89 and as chief of
clinical services of the USPHS Region II Office in New York City
from 1984 - 85. Trujillo was special projects officer at the
American Indian Health Care Association in St. Paul, Minnesota in
1984. From 1981 - 82, he served as clinical support center
director of the USPHS in Phoenix, Arizona. Trujillo served as a
staff internist for Indian health care facilities in Phoenix from
1978 - 1982.
Educated at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque,
Trujillo earned a B.S. from the school in 1966, a B.A. in 1967, a
M.S. in 1970, and his M.D. from the university's School of
Medicine in 1974. He received a M.P.H. from the University of
Minnesota's School of Public Health in 1984.
-30-30-30-
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 31, 1993
STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
The President has invited Italian Prime Minister Carlo Azeglio
Ciampi to the White House for meetings and a working luncheon on
Friday, September 17. Prime Minister Ciampi has accepted the
invitation. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss
developments in Europe, to strengthen further relations between
the United States and Italy and to address shared interests in
promoting democracy and global growth.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 30, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH
THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
The Cabinet Room
4:16 P.M. EDT
Q
Is this a crisis meeting, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: I hope not. (Laughter.) The Secretary
of Defense and the Joint Chiefs say it's a meeting to discuss their
review of the defense needs of the country and how we're going --
Q
Was the Somalia raid bungled?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't think I would characterize it in
that way.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
4:17 P.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 30, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH CARIBBEAN HEADS OF STATE
The Blue Room
2:36 P.M. EDT
Q
Mr. President, are there any conditions that would
be met that you would be able to end the U.S. embargo on Cuba?
THE PRESIDENT: We've had the press conference --
(laughter)
I support the Torricelli bill, as you know. I did when
it was passed and I still do. But I said before, I could just
reiterate what I said again -- we all hope that there will come a
time when democracy and an open economy will come to Cuba. And it
will be a cause of enormous celebration in this country when it
happens.
END
2:38 P.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 30, 1993
PRESS AVAILABILITY BY THE PRESIDENT
AND CARIBBEAN HEADS OF STATE
The East Room
2:09 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. Today I had the great
honor of welcoming five outstanding leaders from the English-speaking
Caribbean to the White House. President Cheddi Jagan of Guyana;
Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford of Barbados; Prime Minister Patrick
Manning of Trinidad and Tobago -- Tobago, excuse me; I'm still horse
from our luncheon; Prime Minister P.J. Patterson of Jamaica; and
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham of the Bahamas. I'm impressed by the
intelligence, the dynamism and the dedication of the Caribbean
leadership.
The end of the Cold War has altered the nature but not
the depth of our interest in the Caribbean. Our concern for the
region is firmly rooted in geographic proximity, the resultant flows
of people, of commodities and culture, and in our shared interest in
fighting drug trafficking and protecting our economic interests and
in protecting fragile ecosystems.
As with U.S. -Mexican relations, U.S. -Caribbean relations
dramatically demonstrate the absolute inseparability of foreign and
domestic issues. More than ever before, our nation is a Caribbean
nation. In our discussions, we recognize the concerns that NAFTA may
adversely affect the Caribbean and Central American nations by
diverting trade and investment flows to Mexico. Therefore, I want to
announce today that I have asked Ambassador Mickey Kantor to study
the impact of NAFTA on these small economies and to consult with them
on new measures to increase regional trade.
American workers have a direct interest in the
prosperity of the English-speaking Caribbean. The $2 billion in
United States exports to those countries creates at least 40,000
American jobs. Our warm and productive luncheon meeting covered many
other areas as well. These nations are all vibrant democracies
striving to adapt their economies to new global realities while
maintaining a full respect for individual freedoms and human rights.
In the Organization of American States and in the United
Nations, they consistently take strong stands in favor of the
collective defense of democracy. They have all been firm supporters
of multilateral efforts to restore President Aristide in Haiti. And
we discussed cooperative security and economic measures to assist
Haitian democracies. I thank them for their support of the
restoration of President Aristide and, of course, we all enjoyed a
recounting of President Aristide's swearing-in of his new Prime
Minister today.
The Caribbean community will be an important building
block of a hemispheric community of democracies linked by growing
economic ties and common political beliefs. That will happen, I
believe, in no small measure because of the leadership of the five
people who are here with us today. And I'd like now to ask them each
in turn to come to the microphone and say a few remarks. And I think
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President Jagan is going first. He was here first in 1961. Is that
right?
The microphone is yours, sir.
PRESIDENT JAGAN: Thank you, Mr. President. As you just
pointed out, I was here in 1961. Those were difficult, different
times. I'm happy to be here now with my colleagues jointly in this
-- at this invitation of the President and to say that we definitely
have problems -- you in the United States and we in the Caribbean.
Your problems are big; ours are critical. And I think it will be
necessary for us to work closely together to solve these problems
because one time Caribbean was described as third border of United
States. And some have said it's the Achilles Heel. And I believe 10
years ago, the Caribbean was described as one of the circles -- world
circles of crisis.
And we have deteriorated somewhat -- our economies are
in trouble but nevertheless we are optimistic that if we work
together with the United States in a feeling, in a spirit of genuine
partnership and interdependence we can together resolve these
problems. We have to because increasingly we see developments taking
place around the world in megablocks, and we in this hemisphere have
to chart out our own destiny and work together in order to alleviate
the problems of our people they are many -- and to bring about
economic progress and human development.
Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER SANDIFORD: We in Barbados and the rest
of the Caribbean believe that we in this region have great
opportunities to deal with the problems facing our region. We see
these problems as relating to the achievement of greater levels of
growth, providing more jobs for our people, keeping inflation low,
and also dealing with the issues of competitiveness and productivity
in our economies. Within this framework we believe that the United
States, the Caribbean, and all other countries of our region have an
opportunity to work through a new conceptualization of our region.
This, on what I am calling a twin continent concept,
involving the countries of North America, the countries of South
America, linked on the one side by the countries of Central America,
and on the other side by that string of lovely tropical islands
called the Caribbean, of which Barbados, forgive me, is the most
beautiful. (Laughter.) And then, there are all the countries that
are in between. (Laughter.)
This opportunity of discussing with the President and
his high-level delegation the issues involved and how we can do this,
I think is a most welcome one. And we believe that we can do it on a
sustainable basis -- sustainable in the sense that we have to provide
an acceptable standard of living for all people, taking into account
that those who are disadvantaged or deprived are not left to waste
away, and taking into account, also, that we have to make provision
for our children and our children's children so that they, too, can
live in an environment that can enable them to achieve adequate
standards of living.
We believe that we must now sit down and work as
partners in order to achieve these objectives. And that is what we
have been discussing, and that is what we will be working for.
PRIME MINISTER MANNING: Thank you very much, ladies and
gentlemen. We were very pleased today to have a chance to talk with
the U.S. President and a team of his closest advisors. The CARICOM
countries are situated on the doorstep of the United States of
America. And it will be a great error to conclude that now that
communism has come virtually to an end, that the CARICOM countries
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and the Caribbean territories on the whole are no longer of
significance to the United States of America. That would be a great
mistake, indeed.
All of these countries are going through a structural
adjustment, and in that context, we are all experiencing relatively
high -- relative on absolute terms -- high levels of unemployment.
It will be a great tragedy if, in seeking to pursue sustainable
development for our countries, it takes place at such a rate that the
domestic populations begin to see as one of the options available to
them a greater involvement in job and job-related activities. That's
an option, ladies and gentlemen, that we are trying our best to avoid
already.
There's a job problem in the Caribbean, and many of our
countries have been transshipment points for the transfer of cocaine
from South America to the United States and Canada and to the north.
And so there is an urgency in the way we deal with development, and
there's an urgency in the way, in the strategies that we pursue, the
urgency and in the way we deal with development and there's an
urgency in the way in the strategies that we pursue -- the urgency
in identifying these strategies and pursuing them as expeditiously as
possible to ensure that we satisfy the aspirations of our
populations.
That is a point that was discussed at length today. And
in particular we discussed with the President and his advisors this
whole question of access to aid in the transition period as our
economies go from one state to the next. And in particular the use
of per capita income as an indicator and -- a trigger indicator, an
indicator for accessing concessional rates of funding and of
assistance.
Rarely the populations of countries don't see per capita
income. What they see is the change in per capita income. so mark
it where you are, as long as there's a significant change downwards
in the per capita income of any country, then it results in social
problems in that particular country. And that is a point of view
that we advocated today as perhaps an alternative for mechanisms for
giving aid to countries and for allowing countries to access
concessional funding.
I think that the point was taken and our discussions
were in fact very pleasant and I believe very fruitful. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER PATTERSON: When I heard the Prime
Minister of Barbados asserting the claims of his country, I thought
of making a simple rejoinder and then reflected that it ran the risk
of being misunderstood here. I had intended to say, good wine needs
no bush. (Laughter.)
May I, Mr. President, thank you on behalf of the
government and people of Jamaica, and indeed on behalf of all the
governments and people of the CARICOM member countries for having
invited us to participate in a timely discussion with you as your
administration seeks to chart a relevant Caribbean policy in the
context of the developments in the world and hemisphere to which we
belong.
I think out of our discussions has emerged a recognition
of the need to take that further step in forging a closer and more
effective working partnership. As has been mentioned, the United
States, Canada and Mexico are on the verge of completing the
signatories for the NAFTA agreement. For us in the Caribbean, we
note that the whole world is moving towards larger and larger trading
blocs. And we envision a time when eventually there is going to be a
free trade that extends to the hemisphere to which we belong.
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- 4 -
We, in the Caribbean, particularly in CARICOM, have
already started to prepare for that process. But we recognize that
there is going to be the need for special transitional arrangements,
taking into account certain products and exports which are very
sensitive to us and certain areas of industrial activity that are so
important to ensuring that employment levels are maintained; indeed,
that unemployment is reduced so that social stability is maintained
in all our respective countries.
To these objectives, the strengthening of democracy, the
enhancement of social mobility and for economic progress in our
region, all of us are firmly committed, and we are very happy that we
are agreed to work in a collaborative exercise to make the dreams of
all of us as proud, independent people in this hemisphere a reality
in our times.
PRIME MINISTER INGRAHAM: Mr. President, colleagues,
ladies and gentlemen. When I heard the Prime Minister of Barbados
and Jamaica -- (laughter) -- and I speak for the Bahamas, the
undisputed leader in tourism in the entire region. (Laughter.) We
are delighted to have the opportunity to be in Washington, D.C., at
the White House and to have been so warmly welcomed by President
Clinton and his administration. And in my capacity as Chairman of
CARICOM and as Prime Minister of the Bahamas, that we say thank you
very much for the opportunity to exchange views, which we found most
useful.
We had the opportunity to talk about the further steps
which we may take as a group of nations to strengthen democracy in
our region and to ensure that there is great accountability to our
citizens and transparency in the governance of our respective
countries. We were able to share views on Haiti and the progress
which is being made in relation to the restoration of democracy to
that country, and to express our appreciation to the United States of
America for the work that which is it doing in that regard.
We were also able to discuss our desire to do all we can
to assist in helping to create an atmosphere in this region where
all countries in the region will be democratic countries in the not
too distant future, including Cuba.
We were able to put before the administration of the
United States the items of highest priority for the Caribbean region,
and they are the inclusion in NAFTA, provisions to preserve and
enhance CBI benefits to small CARICOM countries, the convention tax
deduction benefits and tourism development, which is most important
to countries in the region like the Bahamas and elsewhere. We were
able to point out the need for continual support for agriculture and
banana, particularly for the countries of St. Vincent, Dominica, and
St. Lucia.
We were also able to focus on the joint cooperation in
the anti-drug effort. And to point to the fact that one of the most
successful, if not the most successful, drug interdiction program
which has taken place anywhere takes place in the United States of
America and the Bahamas where some 26 percent of all cocaine seizures
are captured.
And lastly, finally, we were able to focus on the need
for the continuing promotion of democracy in our region.
We all leave Washington, D.C., reinvigorated and
determined to continue our efforts in this region to work together as
partners to ensure better quality of life for all of our citizens.
We are most hopeful of the benefits that will come to our region
much. through the administration of President Clinton and we thank you very
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- 5 -
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Let me also say, before you
ask the question, if there are people here representing your nations,
I want to make sure that I give them a chance to ask their questions
also, but we'll start with Helen.
Q Mr. President, since you have a better chance of
passing NAFTA in the Senate, will you push for the Senate
consideration first? And did it come as a surprise to you that the
Caribbean would feel adversely affected by NAFTA? I mean, was it
news?
THE PRESIDENT: No. Well, let me answer the first
question first. I haven't made a decision on that yet, and I don't
think I should until I consult with the supporters of the agreement.
It can't in either House until the legislation is
developed which is now going on to embody the agreement. But I'm
certainly open to that. I think we just have to -- I simply haven't
had the opportunity to sit down and visit with the supporters and see
what they want to do. I have no objection to going that way.
With regard to the Caribbean, it didn't come as a
surprise to me. I think in general what these leaders said was that
they thought it was a good idea but that it shouldn't adversely
affect existing relationships. Our administration has worked hard to
have a positive mutually beneficial relationship with the CARICOM
nations, to faithfully carry out the laws of Congress including one
that was passed late last year to stop a previous problems with our
efforts there. And I said, as I said today, I asked the Ambassador
for Trade, Mickey Kantor, to look into this and see whether we can
provide some assurances that there will not be a disadvantage to the
Caribbean nations.
Q
Mr. President, can you be more specific about what
the dialogue was on Cuba and bringing it into a more democratic
society?
THE PRESIDENT: Actually, we had a general conversation
about it. As you know, the position of CARICOM and the position of
the United States with regard to trade with Cuba is different. I
just simply reiterated that the Cuban democracy act does not sanction
any trade with Cuba unless it is somehow subsidized by governments.
That is not contemplated, so the difficulty issue we just got off the
table and then we talked a little bit about what the prospects were
for economic and political reform in Cuba, something that is devoutly
to be hoped for by the peoples of all the nations here represented.
But there was nothing more specific than that.
Q
Mr. President, if the Bosnian peace agreement is
reached in Geneva, how many American forces would you be willing to
offer to help enforce that agreement? How long would they be
required to serve? And what would be the risk to those forces?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, whether I would be
prepared to do that or not depends on whether I'm convinced that the
agreement is both -- is fair, fully embraced by the Bosnian
government, and is enforceable. That has been a source of concern
for our military planners all along -- about, you know, whether we
could have something that would be enforceable.
But I made clear last February, and I will reiterate
again, the United States is prepared to participate in a multi-
national effort to keep the peace in Bosnia. But I want to see what
the details are, I want to get the briefing on it, I want to know
that it will be enforceable. But I'm certainly open to that, but I
also want to know who's responsibility it is to stay for how long.
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- 6 -
It's a little bit different than the situation in
Somalia, for example, where you really have two problems that relate
to one another. There needs to be a lot of nation-building in
Somalia from the ground up -- a lot of institution-building. We did
go there to stop the starvation and the violence and the bloodshed.
But it's also true that the absence of order gave rise to all those
problems.
And so we're still trying to fulfill our original
mission in Somalia. This is a very different sort of thing, but I
certainly think it can work. A multinational effort to keep the
peace, if it is enforceable and the understandings are there, can
clearly work. You can see that in the longstanding success we've had
in our participation in the aftermath of the Camp David agreement.
Q
Mr. President, my question is for Prime Minister
Patterson -- if you could step to the microphone. With -- going to
back to Cuba, what is the position of CARICOM on -- in regards to
Cuba? And do you think you can do anything to bring Cuba back into
the democratic fold?
PRIME MINISTER PATTERSON: First of all, what we are
seeking to establish with Cuba is a joint commission that discusses
the range of matters no different from those presently covered by a
joint commission with Mexico, with Venezuela, with Colombia. It is
not an agreement that provides for subsidized trade with Cuba, and
therefore does not offend any existing legislation in the United
States or elsewhere.
We feel that the time has come for all countries in the
hemisphere to work towards a normalization of relationships among
them. There are differences between the political systems in Cuba
and those in the CARICOM countries. We remain firmly committed to
the democratic tradition. But Cuba unquestionably is a Caribbean
country. That is a reality which we must face and we believe that
the joint commission should assist in the process of inducing Cuba
towards the sorts of policies and programs that are compatible with
those of other independent nations in the hemisphere.
Q
-- the same thing? Would you like to see the U.S.
do the same thing?
PRIME MINISTER PATTERSON: What the U.S. does is a
matter for the U.S. to determine. If we can assist anywhere in the
process of contact or mediation, we are always prepared to do so.
Q
Mr. President, in Mogadishu some of the
humanitarian relief workers say that the U.S. raid early this morning
was a blunder; and, in fact, the U.S. military is making their job
more difficult. What do you say to those who are there to help? And
will the U.S. forces remain there long enough to capture Aideed? Is
that a target for you?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Well, the United Nations operation
set that as their objective, and they asked us for our help in that
regard.
I would remind you that I understand the problems with
this, but the United Nations believes, and has ample evidence to
support the fact, that the supporters of Aideed murdered a
substantial number of Pakistani peacekeepers and are behind the
deaths of four Americans. So we have to deal with that. And I am
open to other suggestions. I think the United Nations should be open
to other suggestions.
To date, we have tried to be cooperative with the
policies that have been jointly developed. We have not been just
simply driving this. We have really tried to work within the
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- 7 -
framework of the U.N. to prove that this thing could work over the
long run. We've also tried to make sure that everyone understood
that this is not all of Somalia we're talking about. We're talking
about one part of Mogadishu. In much of the rest of the country, the
U.N. mission has continued unimpeded and successfully. I don't think
anyone wants to change the fundamental character of it.
And so, would I be willing to discuss that with our
people and with anyone else? Of course, I would. But I think it is
very important to point out that what provoked this was people
involved with Aideed killing the Pakistanis first and then the four
Americans.
Q
Mr. President -- (inaudible) -- talked about the
need for -- (inaudible). Is there a need to ensure the dialogue
continues through the establishment perhaps of U.S.-CARICOM policy
machinery? What are you prepared to do?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Well, I think there is a need for a
continuing dialogue. One of the things that I pledged today to these
leaders is that next year when the conference on the sustainable
development in smaller nations is held in the Caribbean, that the
United States would send a high level delegation there. And we
didn't discuss any specific mechanism. But I think it is very
important. You know, there -- all these nations, and others not here
present in the Caribbean, are at different points in their history
with different challenges. And I think that what we need to do is to
make it clear that the United States is committed to democracy, to
market economics and to economic growth of this region over the long
run. Here even at home we find great difficulty in predicting with
great -- with precision what's going to happen economically, because
we're in a period of real profound economic change. And I think it's
important that we make these commitments over the long run and that
we keep the doors of communications open, then that's exactly what we
intend to do.
Thank you very much.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
2:37 P.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 30, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY DURING FLOOD RELIEF MEETING
The Roosevelt Room
11:13 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Let me say -- I asked that James Lee
Witt to come in this morning to provide to me and to the Vice
President and to our senior staff a briefing on Hurricane Emily and
what provisions we're making to be ready for that, and as well as to
give me an update the -- how we're handling the aftermath of the
flood damage in the Midwest. And as you know, there was more
flooding in Iowa yesterday.
So those are the two things we're going to be talking
about, and I thought I would maybe just let Mr. Witt say a word or
two and then you may have a couple of questions --
MR. WITT: First, we had a meeting this morning at 9:30
a.m. with all the federal agencies to coordinate a response to
Hurricane Emily if it does touch inland. We've been in contact this
morning -- I have with Dr. Sheets from the Hurricane Center in Miami.
He is going to give us an update at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon. There
is a possibility that it could basically just come in, kind of touch
inland and then veer back out northeast away from the inland.
We'll all keep hoping and praying that that's what
happens. But if not, we are ready; we are prepared. And we have
people and equipment in place to respond if it does come inland.
Q
Mr. President, changing the subject for a second.
The Palestinians and the Israelis appear to have some historic
breakthrough involving perhaps mutual Israeli-PLO recognition. If
the Israelis and the PLO recognize each other, will that result in
the U.S. resuming its dialogue with the PLO?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first, let me say I am very much
encouraged by what is happening there, and very hopeful. The
administration has worked hard to facilitate it. But, ultimately,
whatever happens will have to be done by the parties themselves. If
there is a new and different landscape in the Middle East, then I
might be willing to entertain some questions. But I can't say now.
I can't answer your question now. It's hypothetical, and it would
only interfere with the discussions now going on. I don't think it's
appropriate for the United States even to consider its own position
here until the parties have a chance to work out a resolution of
this.
Q
But the U.S. did have intervention in this, didn't
it? I mean --
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, absolutely. I don't know if I would
call it an intervention, but we've certainly worked hard to be a
handmaiden or whatever the appropriate term is --
Q
So you are involved.
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- 2 -
THE PRESIDENT: We are involved, but our position has
not been at issue here and should not be discussed until the parties
themselves worked out their differences.
Q Mr. President, the -- Senator Dole suggested the
prospects for NAFTA would be better were you to take it up to the
Senate first. Do you agree?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I think I do. At least my
preliminary -- I haven't talked to Mr. Daley about this, or to the
congressional leadership. But if you mean by that there's a far
greater likelihood that today that NAFTA would pass in the Senate
than the House, that's clearly correct.
Q
What's going to be your strategy for winning over
the House Democrats? David Bonior says that 75 percent of them right
now are against NAFTA.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, not all of them have reached a
position on it. And I want to do two or three things. First of all,
as I told the governors when I met with them in Tulsa, I'd like for
all the governors who support this to ask their members of Congress
to take no position until they actually read the agreement and see
the implementing legislation itself.
Remember, my position, going back to 1992 was that I was
not for the NAFTA agreement as originally concluded, but that I would
support it if certain conditions were met. Those conditions have
been met as far as our agreements with the Mexicans. We still have
to have a training program, but we're going to have the first trade
agreement in history that's got strong environmental requirements and
that has Mexico committing to raise its minimum wage as its economy
grows.
So these are very encouraging and very different things.
So my strategy for Democrats and Republicans who have not declared
for, but have not adamantly planted their feet in cement against,
would be to ask them to read the agreement and wait until they see
the implementing legislation, because that will tell them where we're
going with the job training, and then make a judgment. And I think
if that happens we can prevail because, again I will say, Latin
America is the second fastest-growing part of the world. Mexico is
just the beginning of this process. And I think it means more jobs
for Americans. And I think I'll be able to persuade --
Q Should Bonior remove his hat as your whip, and --
THE PRESIDENT: No. I think that's a decision that the
leadership in the House has to make. You know, presidents and their
members of Congress are going to differ on some things. I heard the
other day -- I don't know that this is true -- but I heard that so
far, the Democrats in the Congress have voted for me more
consistently than the last two or three Democratic presidents. I
have not checked that. That's just what I heard.
Q
You don't believe that, do you?
THE PRESIDENT: I think yes, I think they have with
remarkable constituency and very high percentages. But I think the
-- I think that we have an honest disagreement here. He has worked
his heart out for me. This is the first issue on which we have
disagreed. I think he's wrong; he thinks I'm wrong. I think in the
end that my position will prevail.
I
I want to get this question -- the people in the
Carolinas are remembering, still, in their mind not only the
devastation, of course, but the response of the federal government
after, that they consider that largely a nightmare as well. What do
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- 3 -
you say to them to let them know that you're prepared, well prepared,
in case it does, of course, hit them?
THE PRESIDENT: I would say two things. First of all,
we're here looking at this map today trying to get ready. That's
what we're doing here. And, secondly, if you look at the way FEMA
and the Agriculture Department and the other departments handled the
flooding in the middle west, it's obvious that while we don't control
what Mother Nature does, we're going to be on top of it with all the
resources and effort that we can possibly marshall as quickly as
possible.
END
11:20 A.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 30, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY DURING WHITE HOUSE INTERFAITH BREAKFAST
The State Dining Room
10:03 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you very much. I want
to, once again, as the First Lady did, welcome all of you to the
White House on behalf of Vice President and Mrs. Gore, and Hillary
and myself -- we're delighted to have you all here.
We wanted to make this new beginning, by beginning with
a group of religious leaders from all faiths and parts of our country
to come here today as we rededicate ourselves to the purposes for
which we're called here.
I wanted to make just a couple of brief remarks. We've
had an immensely interesting conversation at our table about some of
the things which are dividing Americans of faith, as well as those
which are uniting them.
I would say to you that I am often troubled as I try
hard here to create a new sense of common purpose. All during the
election I would go across the country and say that we're all in this
together unless we can find strength in our diversity: our diversity
of race, our diversity of income, our diversity of region, our
diversity of religious conviction; we cannot possible meet the
challenges before us.
That does not mean, in my view, that we have to minimize
our diversity, pretend that we don't have deep convictions, or run
away from our honest disagreements. It means that we must find a way
to talk with respect with one another about those things with which
we disagree and to find that emotional, as well as the intellectual
freedom to work together when we can.
A couple of days ago, when I was on vacation -- let me
say, the most important religious comment made to me this morning was
that several of you gave me dispensation for my vacation. (Laughter.)
You said I did not need to feel any guilt for taking a little time
off, so I appreciate that. (Laughter.)
But I bought a book on vacation called "The Culture of
Disbelief" by Steven Carter, a professor at our old alma mater,
Hillary's and mine, at the law school. He is, himself, a committed
Christian very dedicated to the religious freedoms of all people of
faith -- of any faith in the United States. And the subtitle of the
book is: "How American Law and Politics Trivialize Religious
Devotion." And I would urge you all to read it, from whatever
political as well as religious spectrum you have because at least it
lays a lot of these issues out that I am trying to grapple with.
Sometimes I think the environment in which we operate is
entirely too secular. That fact that we have freedom of religion
doesn't mean we need to try to have freedom from religion. It
doesn't mean that those of us who have faith shouldn't frankly admit
that we are animated by that faith, that we try to live by it -- and
that it does affect what we feel, what we think, and what we do.
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On the other hand, it is very important that, as
Americans, we approach this whole area with a certain amount of
humility. That we be careful when we say that because we seek to
know and do God's will, God is on our side and, therefore, against
our opponent. That is important for two reasons: one is, we might
be wrong. (Laughter.) After all, we're only human. (Laughter.)
The other is that the thing that has kept us together over time is
that our Constitution and Bill of Rights gives us all the elbow room
to seek to do God's will in our own life and that of our families and
our communities. And that means that there will be inevitable
conflicts, so that there will never be a time when everything that we
think is wrong can also be illegal. There will always be some space
there because there will have to be some room for Americans of good
faith to disagree.
I think we need to find areas where we can agree and
work together on the restoration of religious freedoms acts is a very
important issue to me, personally. And this administration is
committed to seeing it through successfully. (Applause.) And I
think virtually every person of faith in this country without regard
to their party or philosophy or convictions on other issues agrees
with that; so we are hopeful that that will happen. But there must
be other areas in which we can meet together and talk together and
work together and, frankly, acknowledge our agreements and our
disagreements.
If people of faith treat issues about which they
disagree as nothing more than a cause for a screaming match, then we
also trivialize religion in our country. (Applause.) And we
undermine the ability to approach one another with respect and trust
and faith. And I say that not just to those who disagree with me on
some of the particularly contentious issues, but also to those who
agree with me. Every person in this country who seeks to know and do
the will of his or her creator is entitled to respect for that
effort. That is a difficult job. Difficult to know, even harder to
do. That is hard work.
But people that have that level of depth, that aren't
totally carried away by the secular concerns of the moment must, it
seems to me, find a way to talk and work with one another if we're
ever going to push the common good. We can't pass a health care
program without a conviction that this is in the common interest,
that over the long run we will all win. If this becomes some battle
where I'm trying to slay some dragon of special interest and that's
all it is, we'll never get where we want to go. The American people
have to open their hearts as well as their minds and figure out --
this is this horrible problem, we have to solve it. But we have to
solve it in a way that enables us to be united together.
We can't work our way through a lot of these economic
problems unless we frankly admit that we're moving into a new age
where no one has all the answers. We may have to modify -- all of us
-- our specific policy positions. But our goal should be to enable
every person who lives in this country to live up to his or her God-
given potential. And if we look at it that way, and frankly admit
we're in a new and different era, then we can go forward.
We can't possibly do anything for anybody in this
country unless they're willing to also do something for themselves.
There has to be a new ethic of personal and family and community
responsibility in this country that should unite people across the
lines of different faiths and even different political philosophies.
And the people of faith in this country ought to be able to say that,
so that if you say that you've got to have that sort of
revitalization at the grass roots, person by person, that the
Democrats can feel comfortable with saying that. No one says "Oh,
you're just being a right-winger." It's just simply true. It is
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self-evidently true; you cannot change somebody's life from the
outside in unless there is also some change from the inside out.
So these are the kinds of things that I've had a lot of
time to think about over the last few days. And I have felt in the
last several months during my presidency that we oftentimes get so
caught up in the battle of the moment, the heat of the moment -- how
are you going to answer this charge, and make that change, or deal
with this difficulty -- that sometimes we forget that we are all in
this because we are seeking a good that helps all Americans. There
must be some sense of common purpose and common strength and,
ultimately, an end which helps us all, that revels in the fact that
there are people who honestly disagree about the most fundamental
issues, but can still approach one another with real respect --
without assuming that if you disagree on issue X or Y, you've jumped
off the moral and political cliff and deserve to be banished to some
faraway place.
So I wanted to have you here today because I wanted you
to hear this direct from your President: I wanted to ask you to
continue to pray for me and for our administration, and I wanted to
invite you to be part of an ongoing dialogue, which we will come
back to all of you later on -- talk about how we can continue to
involve people who care about their citizenship as well as about
their relationship to their God and how we can work through these
things.
There are no easy answers to this. The Founding Fathers
understood that; that's why they wanted us to have the First
Amendment. There are no simple solutions. But I am convinced that
we are in a period of historic significance, profound change here in
this country and throughout the world, and that no one is wise enough
to see to the end of all of it, that we have to be guided by a few
basic principles and an absolute conviction that we can recreate a
common good in America.
But it's hard for me to take a totally secular approach
to the fact that there are cities in this country where the average
murderer is now under the age of 16. Now, there may not be a
religious answer to the policy question of whether it's a good thing
that all these kids can get their hands on semi-automatic weapons.
But there certainly is something that is far more than secular about
what is happening to a country where we are losing millions of our
young people and where they shoot each other with abandon, and now
often shoot total strangers for kicks -- shoot at them when they are
swimming in the swimming pool in the summertime.
So I believe that we have enormous possibilities. I
think we have enormous problems. There will always be some areas of
profound disagreement. What I would ask you today to do is to, as I
said, to pray for us as we go forward, to be willing to engage in
this dialogue, to reach out to others who may disagree with us on
particular issues and bring them into the family of America, and to
give us a chance to find common ground so that we can build a common
good and do what all of us in our own way are required to do. For I
believe that each of us has a ministry in some way that we must play
out in life -- and with a certain humility, but also with deep
determination.
So I thank you for being here. This has been a
wonderful morning for me and for all of us. And I ask you to think
about these things and to be willing to continue to engage in this
dialogue. We have a lot of work to do to lift this country up and to
pull this country together and to push this country into the 21st
century, and we have serious responsibilities beyond our borders.
Every day there is some good news in the press about that. Some of
you have been talking about the Middle East -- how many times have we
thought we had good news and been disappointed? But better than the
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bad. And every day there is some frustration. So we have to go
forward with a much deeper sense of shared values and togetherness
toward the common good than we've had so far. That is what I seek to
do and what I ask for your prayers and guidance and support and
involvement -- active involvement -- to achieve.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
END
10:15 A.M. EDT
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard)
Embargoed For Release
At 10:06 A.M. EDT
Saturday, August 28, 1993
RADIO ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE NATION
Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Thirty years ago
today a great American spoke about his dream for equality,
brotherhood, and the need to make real the promises of democracy.
His voice thundered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial,
across the great Mall in Washington, and into our homes, our
heart and our history. That man, of course, was the Reverend
Martin Luther King, Jr.
He lived and died in a great struggle to close the
gap between our words and our deeds; to make good on good
intentions; to see that none of us can be fully free until all of
us are fully free; to make us all agents of change.
In the 30 years since Martin Luther King gave what I
believe is the greatest speech by an American in my lifetime,
we've come a long way. But clearly, we've got a long way to go
before realizing his dreams. We owe it to him, to his work, to
his memory to rededicate ourselves today to the causes of civil
rights, civic responsibility and economic opportunity for every
American. In the last seven months we've made some great strides
on that road.
To begin to turn good words into better deeds we
first had to get our economic house in order. That's what we die
by breaking gridlock and passing a tough economic program to cut
our deficit by nearly $500 billion over five years, to give new
incentives to businesses to expand, to individuals to invest, and
to create millions of new high-wage jobs here at home.
Already we've felt some of the good side-effects of
getting serious about our economy. Unemployment has dipped to
its lowest level in 22 months, and interest rates are at their
lowest rates in 20 years. We've also won some important battles
for working families: The Family Leave Act now permits people to
take some time off from work to care for a sick family member or
a newborn child without losing their job. And changes in the tax
laws now provide that no one who works 40 hours a week with
children in the home will live in poverty. That's a big first
step in welfare reform and in ending welfare as we know it. It's
pro-work and pro-family.
We're moving to open the doors of college education
to all Americans at a time when education 18 more important than
ever to getting good jobs. We've reorganized the student loan
program so that there will be lower interest rates and repayments
will be tied to income and, therefore, easier to make.
We're on the verge of passing the national service
program to give our young people the chance to use their energies
and talents to rebuild our communities and. at the same time, to
help pay for their college educations.
We've been moving on a massive program of defense
conversion, to help defense workers, military personnel and
communities who won the Cold War build a brighter future even in
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the face of defense reductions. And because we want America to
be a safer place, I've sent to Congress a crime bill that, among
other things, will put tens of thousands more police officers on
the streets and will pass the Brady Bill to provide for a waiting
period before handguns can be bought.
We're moving to change politics as usual. The
Senate has passed a campaign finance reform bill that gives less
influence to political action committees and opens the doors of
communication to all candidates. And they've passed a lobby
reform bill to reduce the influence of lobbyists. Now we have to
get the House to pass these bills, too.
so in the quiet of this August day. as we reflect on
what's happened over the last several months. we can say that
together we've made a good beginning. but the job has just beçun.
There are still great challenges out there for Americans. There
aren't enough jobs, incomes are too stagnant. and there is too
much insecurity for too many families.
our biggest challenge 15 to reform health care.
It's the main reason millions of people can't get pay raises.
It's the chief cause of insecurity for millions of families.
It's the biggest culprit in the federal deficit. It's a threat
to America's business growth because we're spending over 14
percent of our income on health care. Our competitors, the
Germans and the Japanese, are spending just over eight percent of
their income on health care, and they have every bit as good a
health care system in most ways as we do.
Soon the First Lady's task force will make its
recommendations on what we need to do to ensure that every
American has access to good, affordable health care; a plan that
keeps what's good about our health care system -- our doctors,
our nurses, our health care providers, our medical research, our
great technology -- but a plan that changes what's wrong -- an
increasingly expensive and unjustifiable system of finance, one
that's too bureaucratic, one that has runaway costs.
Another urgent task for our country is to pass the
North American Free Trade Agreement. Last year I told the
American people this agreement with Mexico and Canada could mean
more jobs for Americans if it could be strengthened to ensure
that our jobs would not be lost because of low environmental
standards or depressed wages in Mexico. Today I can tell you
we've won unprecedented provisions in this agreement that will
help to guarantee that it will benefit all Americans. When it's
in place, we'll open up a whole new world of job opportunity for
Americans here at home by trading more with Mexico and,
ultimately, with the rest of Latin America, the second-fastest
growing area in the world.
We're also dedicated to fixing our own government,
to reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, eliminating waste,
increasing the quality of service, in giving you more value for
your dollar. we haven't reexamined the way our government works
or doesn't work for a very long time. But for the last several
months, Vice President Gore has been studying the problem with
the best experts in the country, and early next month we'll have
his recommendations on how our government can serve you better
and save you money.
Quite simply, we've still got a lot to do in a town
where change is hard and words too often substitute for real
action. Congress, however, has already spent about 40 percent
more time on the job than it did last year.
Many people say I'm pushing too hard for change.
Well, 30 years ago today, Martin Luther King said, "This 18 no
time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or the tranquilizing
drug democracy." of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of
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As our children go back to school and, after a great
family vacation, I go back to work, I have faith that together we
can do just that -- make real the promises of democracy for all
Americans.
Thanks for listening.
END
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
August 27,1993
UNTIL SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 1993
9:00 AM
The President of the United States
Statement on the 30th Anniversary of the March on Washington for
Jobs and Freedom
August 28, 1993
On this day, thirty years ago, almost a quarter million
Americans gathered in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial to ask
our nation to uphold its founding ideals of equal justice and
equal opportunity for all.
As he looked at the crowd, Martin Luther King, Jr., must
have been inspired by what he saw: people of every color, united
in mutual respect and common purpose, representing America as it
was meant to be -- and as it must be. In the words of A. Philip
Randolph, whose vision of a multiracial movement for social
justice inspired this historic demonstration, those who marched
on August 28, 1963, were "the advance guard of a massive moral
revolution for jobs and freedom."
Three decades later, we remember how far we have come on
freedom's trail and we rededicate ourselves to completing the
journey. As a son of the South, I have seen in my own lifetime
how racism held all of us down and how the civil rights movement
set all of us free. We must never forget the hard-earned lesson
that America can only move forward when we move forward together.
That is why we rededicate ourselves to vigorous enforcement
of the civil rights laws, to eradicating discrimination of every
kind, and to opposing intolerance in all its forms.
And we firmly believe that, as such visionary leaders as
Martin Luther King, A. Philip Randolph, and Bayard Rustin
understood three decades ago, jobs and freedom are inextricably
linked. Human dignity demands that each of us have the
opportunity to use our God-given abilities, to support ourselves
and our families, and to produce something of value for our
fellow men and women.
In everything we do, we are guided by that vision of
economic empowerment. That is why we have struggled to lift the
working poor out of poverty. That is why we have struggled to
expand the opportunities for education, training, and national
service. That is why we have struggled to bring new jobs, new
opportunities, and new hope to communities all across this
country, from our smallest towns to our oldest cities. That is
why we will spare no effort to provide every family in America
with health care they can count on, health care that's always
there. And, as we pursue the timeless goals of opportunity for
all and responsibility for all, let us follow the example of
those who marched thirty years ago, and work together, regardless
of race or region or religion or party.
As we honor the past and build the future, let us listen
again to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. : "now is the time
to make real the promises of democracy now is the time to make
justice a reality for all God's children."
Together, we can make that dream a reality. Together, we can
make the country we love everything it was meant to be.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 27, 1993
PRESIDENT SELECTS THOMAS LOFTUS AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NORWAY
President Clinton today announced his intention to
nominate Thomas A. Loftus as the United States Ambassador to
Norway. Loftus is the Director of WisKids Count, and served in
the Wisconsin State Legislature for 14 years including eight
years as its Speaker.
"I am pleased today to announce my intention to nominate
Tom Loftus as the Ambassador to Norway," said the President. "Tom
will bring to this position the same energy and commitment to
public service that characterized his leadership in the Wisconsin
Assembly. He will strengthen our already strong ties with the
government of Norway, and will serve this nation with pride."
Thomas A. Loftus, serves as the director of WisKids Count, a
foundation funded study on the status of children in Wisconsin.
Loftus is also currently a consultant with foundations who assist
parliaments in developing democracies, and lectures at Edgewood
College in Madison, Wisconsin. Loftus is completing his book on
American Legislatures drawing from his own experiences in the
Wisconsin Assembly. During his tenure in the Legislature, Loftus
served as the chair of the State Federal Assembly of the National
Conference of State Legislatures in 1987, and won national and
international recognition for his passage of a new child support
system which was incorporated into federal law. His experience
as Speaker also included conducting a workshop on the legislative
institution in Budapest for the Hungarian Parliament, and leading
a four month training program for the staff of the Parliament of
Thailand. In 1990, Loftus was the Democratic nominee for
Governor in Wisconsin.
Loftus holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-
Whitewater. He served in the United States Army from 1965-1967.
Loftus and his wife, Barbara are the parents of two children,
Alec, 12 and Karl, 6.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 19, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT
IN ANNOUNCEMENT OF WILLIAM DALEY AS CHAIRMAN OF NAFTA TASK FORCE
The Oval Office
12:57 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everyone.
Q
Happy Birthday.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. Thank you,
Helen.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that my
good friend, Bill Daley of Chicago, has agreed to be the chair of the
administration's Task Force on the North American Free Trade
Agreement. This agreement means more trade, more exports, and more
jobs for the United States. I think it is very much in our national
interest.
I also think it means the opportunity to go, not only to
Mexico, but beyond Mexico into other nations in Latin America, to
develop stronger trading relationships that will boost our economy,
the jobs, and the incomes of the American people well into the 21st
century.
Thanks to the hard work done by Ambassador Mickey Kantor
and the other members of the U.S. Trade Representative staff, we have
now seen, in the last several days, the conclusion of a remarkable
set of side agreements to guarantee real investments in environmental
cleanup, and a dramatic and unprecedented commitment by the
government of Mexico to tie their minimum wage structure to increases
in productivity and growth in the Mexican economy, and to make that a
part of the trade agreement so that failure to do that could result
in fines and, ultimately, trade sanctions. Meaning that Mexico is
serious about making this a trade agreement that benefits Mexican
workers, raises wage levels, increases their ability to buy American
products, and decreases the impetus for continued illegal immigration
across the Mexican border. I am very, very encouraged by this.
I also want to say that as we move into this campaign
vigorously now -- and it's something that we've not been able to do
because we didn't have an agreement until just a few days ago -- Mr.
Daley will be working with Ambassador Kantor, with the Secretary of
Treasury, with the Director of EPA, with the Labor Secretary, and
with other members of the Cabinet, including the Commerce Secretary
to present a strongly united front.
Furthermore, we will be reaching out to involve in the
national leadership of this task force prominent Republicans,
Democrats and Independents who have a common interest in promoting
the NAFTA and what it can do for our economy.
I believe, as I said repeatedly, that if we could get
these side agreements, which have now been concluded, this trade
agreement means a better future for America's workers, for American
industry, for the American economy. I think it is very much in our
interest to adopt it. I believe the fact that Bill Daley has agreed
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to take a leadership role enhances the chances of its adoption, and I
know that the Vice President, Mr. McLarty, and others in our
administration join me in expressing our thanks to Bill Daley. And
he'll be here soon and we'll be going to work.
Would you like to say a few words?
MR. DALEY: I appreciate, Mr. President, Mr. Vice
President, this opportunity; obviously it's quite a challenge. And
through your leadership we will be successful. Thank you.
Q
(Inaudible.)
MR. DALEY: Yes, ma'am.
Q Mr. President, how can you convince American
workers that NAFTA is good for them when major corporations are
laying off thousands of people? Where are the jobs going to come
from?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, major corporations are laying off
thousands of people in part because they don't have enough work for
them. Part of this downsizing is an inevitable part of the
reorganization of some of those big employers. But what has happened
is that for the last 12 years -- for a long time -- we had more jobs
created in small business, in medium-sized businesses than were being
lost in large businesses. The Fortune 500 laid off more than 100,000
people a year every year of the 1980s.
So, this trend is something that has been going on for
some time. Whether we gain jobs or not, and gain good jobs depends
on whether there is more demand for American products and services.
And there is ample evidence that the only way a wealthy country grows
wealthier in a global economy is to increase the volume of trade.
And it is a clear, elemental principle of economics that if you want
more people to go to work in a competitive economy, you have to have
more people to sell to. So that's what we're trying to do. I feel
very strongly about it.
I also believe that by raising the incomes of Mexicans,
which this will do, they will be able to buy more of our products and
there will be much less pressure on them to come to this country in
the form of illegal immigration. So I think this will be a very
stabilizing, economically healthy agreement.
I believe, to be fair, that a lot of the people who are
against this agreement were against the original agreement and may
not have had the chance to evaluate the side agreements that we've
worked so hard since January to conclude with the Mexican government.
And I think that that will make a difference.
I also think that it's important that this
government -- our government -- make a good-faith effort to make sure
that we provide adequate retraining and other opportunities for
people who fear they will be subject to dislocation under this
agreement. But I don't think there's -- in my mind, there is no
question that this agreement is a significant net plus for the
American economy.
Q
Mr. President, what do you think about this
proposal to merge the DEA with the FBI? And what kind of signal
would that send about U.S. commitment to drug interdiction?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I've not had a
chance to view the proposal. The Vice President's task force has
under review a number of proposals. I'm not sure they've even
finalized their own decisions. You might want to ask him about that.
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But he'll be making a presentation to me early in
September; and when and if that recommendation comes to me, I'll
evaluate it, I'll talk to him, and I'll talk to the Attorney General
about it. But I will say this: Anything we do will be designed to
enhance our efforts to combat drugs, not to weaken it. And any
decision I make will be made with that in mind.
Q
Do you and Mr. Daley have any idea how you are
going to overcome or circumvent the leadership of the House, the
Majority Leader, and the Chief Whip, both of whom are opposed to
NAFTA?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, the Chief Whip is clearly opposed
to it and I think he and I -- I admire him immensely, but we just
have an honest disagreement about this. And I might say, since he's
from Michigan, I would just point out to you not very long ago
General Motors announced that they were moving 1,000 jobs back from
Mexico to the United States to be closer to the market and because of
the higher productivity of the American worker.
I'd like to make one point about that, and then I'll say
something about the Majority Leader. I have governed a state where
people shut their plants down and went to Mexico for low wages. I
have been there. And my belief is that if we defeat NAFTA, nothing
will stop. NAFTA won't stop people. If you beat NAFTA, it will not
stop people who want to go to Mexico for lower wages from going
there. But more and more, smart manufacturers are deciding that they
should locate where they're going to have a highly productive work
force and where they' 11 be reasonably close to the market, and where
they'll be very flexible to change product lines on a rapid basis. I
think that this will help the American economy.
I also think that the kinds of investments you'll see in
Mexico if NAFTA passes are not those investments along the American
border that produce more products to come back into America, but
investments further down into Mexico to put Mexican people to work to
produce products for their own market -- which, again, will stabilize
their incomes, stabilize their population movement, increase their
ability to buy American products. So that's the argument I'm going
to make to others. I don't think I can change Mr. Bonior's mind, but
I think perhaps I can change others.
Mr. Gephardt has a different set of concerns. He wants
to make sure that we're going to adequately fund the training
programs, that we're going to adequately fund the environmental
programs, and that the Mexican commitment to raise minimum wages
means that manufacturing wages will in fact go up as their incomes go
up. And I still have high hopes that things that will happen between
now and the time the implementing legislation is presented to
Congress in several weeks will persuade him to support this. I do
believe it will be difficult for us to prevail if both of them are
opposed, but Mr. Gephardt has some high standards for this agreement,
but I'm not sure they can't be met.
And I also say, I want the members of Congress who have
not announced their positions to review these agreements. There has
never been a trade agreement with this kind of environmental
protection in it. There has certainly never been a trade agreement
where one country committed to raise its wages when its productivity
increases, and to make that wage increase a subject of the trade
agreement so that they can be subject to fines for trade sanctions
that they don't keep. This has never happened before. Mexico was
serious about trying to raise the living standards of its own people
in ways that help stabilize American wages and American jobs.
Thank you.
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Q
What do you think of the Star Wars conception?
Q
Mr. Vice President, can you answer the question the
President referred to you?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: The report is coming out on
September the 7th, and it's premature to discuss recommendations
contained in the report. At this point, I will echo what the
President said, that any recommended change concerning the
enforcement of our drug laws will, I assure you, be designed to
enhance our ability to enforce those laws. And where there is
unnecessary competition and duplication of effort with people racing
to the courthouse to get in front of each other and wasting money in
the process and complicating the prosecution of criminal cases, if we
find instances of that kind, we're going to recommend that we get rid
of them.
Q
But no merger is set in stone yet?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: The recommendations will be coming
out on September the 7th.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
1:10 P.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press secretary
Embargoed for Release
Until saturday, August 14, 1993
at 10:06 A.M. EDT
RADIO ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT TO THE NATION
The Pare Lane Hotel
Oakland, California
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week we took a
big step toward restoring opportunity and prosperity to the
people of our nation, when I signed into law our economic growth
plan. It puts our house in order with the largest deficit
reduction measure in our history, mandating more than $250
billion in spending cuts, with substantial cuts in more than 200
specific spending programs. It makes over 90 percent of our
small businesses eligible for tax cuts, if they invest to spur
job creation. And it provides new incentives to lift people who
work full time and have children in their homes but still live in
poverty above the poverty line.
That's a real incentive for the working poor to stay
at work and a down payment on our plan to end the welfare system
as we know it.
with this economic plan in place, private analysts
believe more than 8 million jobs will be created over the next
four years. Already the plan has brought interest rates to
historic lows and the stock market to historic highs. People are
refinancing home loans and business loans, saving a lot of money,
money that can be invested to grow this economy. And we've had
about a million new jobs come into the economy in the last six
and a half months. This plan will help us to restore the economy
and revive the American Dream.
But there's another threat to our security, to our
economic revival and our most basic values. It's the crime
that's ravaging our neighborhoods and communities. There were
90,000 murders in America in the last four years, and a startling
upsurge in gang activity, drive-by shootings and bloody
carjackings.
There's a virtual war on many of our streets, and
crime has become a national security issue to millions of
Americans. I've worked to fight crime as an attorney general and
a governor. I've worked with law enforcement officers, community
leaders, victims groups. I know we can make our streets safer
and our children's future more secure.
This week I announced my administration's anti-crime
plan and law enforcement officers from all over America came to
support it. People from Massachusetts to Mississippi spoke up.
William O'Malley, a District Attorney in Massachusetts said the
murder rate in Plymouth County had doubled, and the age of
defendants in court is getting younger. One of the law
enforcement officers said that in his area the average age of a
killer was now under 16 years of age.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton of Boston spoke of
the fear that grips his city where homicides have gone up 60
percent this year because of gangs and domestic violence. The
attorney general of Mississippi pointed out that the crime wave
has now reached small towns and rural areas. And we can't leave
them out of our solution.
These facts could be repeated by any prosecutor, any
police officer in the United States. We have to give these
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people the help they need to seize the control of our streets.
And that's precisely what I'm determined to do.
Our new crime initiative goes back to basics --
toughening criminal laws and disarming criminals, putting more
police on patrol, protecting students, restoring order to our
streets. It also emphasizes some good ideas that do work --
community policing; working with citizens to prevent crime and
catch criminals; and boot camps for youthful offenders to give
them a second chance to develop self-discipline and other skills
to live lawful, successful lives.
Society has the right to impose the most severe
penalty on the hardened criminals who commit the most heinous
crimes. I support capital punishment, especially against those
who kill our police officers. This legislation expands the
federal death penalty and limits the time available to criminals
to appeal their sentences. The plan cracks down on the easy
availability of guns. I'm eager to sign the Brady Bill, which
requires a waiting period before the purchase of a handgun. And
I've signed a directive ordering the Treasury Department to
suspend the importation of foreign-made assault pistols, the
weapons of choice for many gangs and drug dealers.
Our crime bill will fund the hiring of up to 50,000
new police officers to walk the beat. It will also create a
police corps to allow young people to pay for college and then
ask them to return to their communities as police officers in
exchange for the educational benefit.
The plan expands the Cop on the Beat Program to help
pay to put more police on the street, to hire more security
guards to keep our schools safe, to beef up patrol in public
housing in communities where small businesses are vulnerable to
crime. We ask for new federal boot camps to provide wayward
young people the discipline, the education, the training they
need for a chance to avoid a lifetime of crime.
And we put these new tools into the hands of the
toughest and most talented trio of crimefighters ever assembled
at the federal level -- the Attorney General Janet Reno, a
seasoned prosecutor from Miami; the FBI Director Louis Freeh, a
streetwise former prosecutor and tough federal judge with a
nationally acclaimed record of crimefighting; and Lee Brown, the
former police chief of New York, Houston and Atlanta, the father
of community policing, who now serves as our Director of Drug
Control Policy.
But these law enforcement leaders cannot and must
not wage this war alone. We in government can start by ensuring
that the criminal justice system reflects our values and restores
people's confidence in the government's ability to prevent and
punish crime.
But the power of every individual to influence those
around them is also very strong, and it's also a power we must
turn to if we're going to turn the crime problem around. Too
many of our fellow citizens simply reject values like decency,
order and the respect for the rule of law. often we can yank
people like that back to what is right and what is true.
Every one of us needs to speak up and provide bettar
role models for our young people before we lose them to the
meanness of the streets. We can take simple but effective
actions like taking car keys away from teenagers and adults who
are under the influence of alcohol or drugs before they get
behind the wheels of their cars and risk great damage to
themselves and others.
We can urge broadcasters and advertisers to tone
down the violence we see on television and then theaters everyday
and persuade them that there is a market for programs and movies
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VAIL ASSOCIATES BOARDERS LODGE 002 P03
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= $ r
that-reflect and reinforce our values. We can remind people of
the their patriotism and caring by giving something need back
opportunities they have for community service 50 that they
can to the express country which gives us BO much and helps people in at
the same time.
In short, we can work together as partners. And
when we do, when the government works with us and not against us,
there is nothing the American people can't do.
with the economic plan in hand and a very tough
anti-crime bill on the way, we can truly say our country is
headed in a new direction -- more responsibility, more
opportunity, a deeper sense of community and restoring the
American Dream.
Thanks for listening.
END
VAIL ASSOCIATES BOARDERS LODGE 002 P02
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AUG-12-1993 20:08
DENVER PRESS OFFICE
303 480 1145 P.001
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Denver, Colorado)
For Immediate Release
August 12, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AND HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
UPON DEPARTURE
Regis University
Denver, Colorado
5:20 P.M. MDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. It was a great
pleasure and a great honor for me to be able to spend some time
with the Holy Father. We had a cordial and productive meeting,
and I believe we laid the basis for a productive and constructive
relationship in the future.
We shared many values and perspectives -- a
commitment to today's young people in the United States and
throughout the world; a believe in work and family and the
importance of pursuing policies that support them; a commitment
to correcting the social problems that give rise to so many
problems for our people in this country -- violence, drugs, and
other things -- and a recognition that we need in this nation and
throughout the world both more individual responsibility and more
community action.
We talked about a wide range of international
problems. We discussed Bosnia at length, as you might imagine.
We talked about the peacekeeping mission in Somalia. We talked
about the efforts of nations working together through the United
Nations to reduce violence and support human rights and democracy
throughout the world in Cambodia, for example, and other
places. We talked about the former Soviet Union and conditions
in many countries. We talked about the Holy Father's native
Poland and the progress that they are making there. we talked
about Haiti and what the United States has tried to do there to
restore democracy and freedom.
And throughout, I, like every other person who has
ever met him, was profoundly impressed by the depth of His
Holiness's conviction, the depth of his faith, and the depth of
his commitment to continue on his mission.
I very much welcome the Vatican's commitment to
human rights, including religious freedom for all. I welcome the
progress that is being made in forging relationships and closer
ties between the Vatican and Israel. That can only help as we
seek to pursue peace in the Middle East.
We both are worried about the conditions in Somalia,
the Sudan, Haiti, and Bosnia. We both are concerned about the
problems that have always been with us, but we believe that we
can make progress in dealing with them.
Finally, let me just say once again how very
grateful I am to the Holy Father for coming to World Youth Day
here in Denver, and for the Catholic Church's decision to bring
World Youth Day to the United States and to Denver. It is my
hope that the success of this extraordinary gathering of young
people will create a greater spirit of unity and community among
them and a renewed commitment among those who are Americans to
work for greater justice and opportunity here at home.
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AUG-12-1993 20:09
DENVER PRESS OFFICE
303 480 1145 P.002
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At the end of our meeting the Holy Father presented
me with a Bible. And so, I close with a verse from it that I
think characterizes his work and I hope in due time will
characterize the work that we are doing here. The exhortation in
St. Paul's letter to the Galatians: "Let us not grow weary while
doing good or in due season we shall reap if we do not lose
heart."
Thank you, Your Holiness, for your heart and your
efforts. (Applause.)
HIS HOLINESS Thank you very much.
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen. I'm pleased,
Mr. President, that we have had this opportunity to talk together
about some of the principal concerns of the world situation at
this moment, the inalienable dignity of a human being and the
rights which flow from that dignity. In the first place, the
right to life, defense of life, as well as the well-being and
full human development of individuals and peoples are at the
heart of the Church's message and action in the world.
Essentially, these are the themes on which the
Church seeks a sincere and constructive dialogue with the leaders
of the world. 5 nations and the representatives of the
international community. I look forward to further contacts in
the future in the same spirit of mutual understanding in this
theme which has always characterized relations between the United
States and the Holy See.
I take this opportunity to thank you once more for
welcoming me to the United States. I assure you,that I pray each
day for the leaders of government that they may be wise and far-
seeing servants of the common good and that their decisions and
actions may bring genuine justice and peace in the world.
Thank you very much, I should say that the
President was very gracious to me. (Applause.) I should add
that President Clinton is the fourth President of the United
states I meet, and he's the youngest. (Laughter.) I am still
and still older and he's still and still younger. It is also a
motivation of the place for the World Day of the Youth in the
United States in Denver for the United States have a very young
President.
Thank you. (Applause.)
END
5:27 P.M. MDT
AUG-12-1993 18:14
DENVER PRESS OFFICE
303 480 1145 P.001
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Denver, Colorado)
For Immediate Release
August 12, 1993
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AND HIS HOLINESS, JOHN PAUL II
UPON ARRIVAL
Stapleton International Airport
Denver, Colorado
2:45 P.M. MDT
THE PRESIDENT: Your Holiness, I think you can see
from the wonderful reception you have received that the United
States is honored to have you in Denver. (Applause.) I thank
you for coming to Denver -- (applause) -- to this historic
gathering of young people from across the world. (Applause.)
I want to extend a special thanks to the co-sponsors
of National World Youth Day, Archbiship Keeler and the National
Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pontifical Council for the
Laity. I'm especially gratified that 50 many leading Catholic
Americans could join us today. (Applause.) And I'd like to pay
special tribute to one, my good friend, the former Mayor of
Boston and our Ambassador to the Vatican, Ray Flynn. (Applause.)
I also thanks my friends, Governor Roy Romer, Mayor
Willington Webb, the members of the City Council, and
Congresswoman Patricia Schrceder, in whose district we now stand
-- or sit, as the case may be. (Applause.)
I want to thank the people of Denver who have opened
their hearts and their homes to these young people, and say a few
words especially. of appreciation, Holy Father, to American Catholics
As the Catholic Church prepares to enter its third
millennium, our nation prepares to enter its third century. It
is altogether fitting that such a young country would host World
Youth Day. America has maintained its youth by always being able
to change while holding fast to its fundamental values: A
determination to support family and work; to the proposition that
all children matter and we don't have a one to waste; to the
proposition that in every corner of the world, race or creed
should not deter any young boy or girl from growing up to the
fullest of their God-given capacities. (Applause.)
Your Holiness, even though I am not myself a Roman
Catholic, I was educated as a young boy by nuns and, as a young
man, by Jesuit priests. (Applause.) And I might add since we're
in the business of paying compliments, I appointed a man born in
Poland to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff yesterday.
(Applause and laughter.) But all Americans without regard to
their religious affiliation are grateful to the Catholics of this
country for the standards they have set for citizenship and
service, for supporting their families and working well at their
assigned (Applause.) tasks, and for caring about the less fortunate.
And all Americans without regard to their religious
faith are grateful to you, Your Holiness, for your moral
leadership. (Applause.) For we know that you were the force to
light the spark of freedom over communism in your native Poland
and throughout Eastern Europe -- (applause) -- that you have been
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AUG-12-1993 18:15
DENVER PRESS OFFICE
303 480 1145 P.002
- 2 -
an advocate for peace and justice among nations and peoples, a
strong voice calling for an end to hatred and to hunger
everywhere and reminding people blessed with abundance that they
must offer special comfort to the poor and the dispossessed.
Your presence here is welcome.
America is a better, stronger, more just nation
because of the influence that you have had on our world in recent
years and because of the influence that American Catholics have
had on our nation from the very beginning of our birth.
(Applause.)
If we were to find one sentence that would sum up
the Catholic social mission, the work that Catholics have done as
citizens, it would be the great line from our only Catholic
President's inaugural speech when President Kennedy said, "We
must always remember that here on Earth God's work must be our
own." (Applause.)
In 1987, Your Holiness, when you came to Detroit,
you said that each of us must be instrumental in promoting a
social order that respects the dignity of persons and serves the
common good. That 1s what we must all be about.
America today is striving to achieve that goal. We
have many problems here, and we are trying to address many
problems abroad. We dare not turn away from our obligations to
one another. Your presence here today will remind us all of
those obligations, of the values by which you have lived, of the
causes for which you have worked.
I ask you now to come to this platform to welcome a
grateful and many tens of thousands of young people from all
across the world who are privileged to be in your presence here
today. (Applause.)
HIS HOLINESS: Mr. President, dear friends, dear
people of America, dear young people. (Applause.) You have
really strong voices. (Applause.)
Mr. President, I greatly appreciate your generous
words of welcome. The World Youth Day being celebrated this year
in Denver gives me the opportunity to meet you and, through you,
to express once again to the American people my sentiments of
deep esteem and friendship. I thank you and Mrs. Clinton for
your kind gesture in coming here personally to welcome me, and
coming together with your daughter. (Applause.)
I take this opportunity to greet the other
representatives of the federal government of the State of
Colorado and of the City of Denver who are present here, and to
thank all those who have contributed in any way to preparing this
visit. I am grateful to the bishops of the United states for
their part in organizing the eighth World Youth Day and, in
particular, to Archbishop Stafford of Denver, and the Catholic
Church in Colorado for serving as the local hosts for this
important international event. (Applause.)
I am aware that the United States is suffering
greatly from the recent flooding in the Midwest. I have felt
close to the American people in their tragedy and have prayed for
the victims. I envoke Almighty God's strength and comfort upon
all who have been affected by this calamity.
There is a special joy in coming to America for the
celebration of this World Youth Day -- a nation which is itself
still young, still young. (Laughter and applause.) What is 200
years for a nation? (Laughter and applause.) A nation which is
itself still young, according to historical standards is hosting
young people gathered from all over the world for a serious
reflection on the theme of life. A human life which is God's
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AUG-12-1993 18:16
DENVER PRESS OFFICE
303 480 1145 P.003
- 3 -
marvelous gift to each one of us and the transcendent live which
Jesus Christ, our Savior, offers to us who believe in His name,
(Applause.)
I come to Denver to listen to the young people
gathered here, to experience their inexhaustible quest for life.
Each successive World Youth Day has been a confirmation of young
people's openness to the meaning of life as a gift received, a
gift to which they are eager to respond by striving for a better
world for themselves and their fellow human beings. (Applause.)
I believe that we would correctly interpret their
deepest aspirations by saying that what they ask is that society,
especially the leaders of nations and all who control the
destinies of peoples, accept them as true partners in the
construction of a more human, more just, more compassionate
world. They ask to be able to contribute their specific ideas
and energies to this task.
The well-being of the world's children and young
people must be an immense concern to all who have public
responsibilities. In my pastoral visits to the Church in every
part of the world, I have been deeply moved by the almost
universal conditions of difficulty in which young people grow up
and live. Too many sufferings are visited upon them by natural
calamities, famines, epidemics, by economic and political crisis,
by the atrocities of wars. And where material conditions are at
least adequate, other obstacles arise not the least of which is
the breakdown of family values and stability. (Applause.)
In developed countries a serious moral crisis is
already affecting the lives of many young people, leaving them
adrift, often without hope and conditioned to look only for
instant gratification. Yet everywhere there are young men and
women deeply concerned about the world around them, ready to give
the best of themselves in service to others, and particularly
sensitive to life's transcendent meaning. (Applause.)
But how do we help them? HOW do we help them? only
by instilling a high morale vision can a society ensure that its
young people are given the possibility to mature as free and
intelligent human beings endowed with the robust sense of
responsibility to the common good, capable of working with others
to create a community and a nation with a strong morale fiber.
America was built on such a vision. And the
American people possess the intelligence and will to meet the
challenge of rededicating themselves with renewed vigor to
fostering the truth on which this country was founded and by
which it grew. (Applause.) Those truths are enshrined in the
Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of
Rights. And they still today receive a broad consensus among
Americans.
Those truths sustained values which have left people
all over the world to look to America with hope and respect. TO
all Americans without exception I present this invitation: Let
us pose and reason together. To educate without a value system
based on truth is to abandon young people to moral confusion,
personal insecurity and easy manipulation. No country, not even
the most powerful, can endure if it deprives its own children of
this essential good, respect. (Applause.)
You are crying for what the Pope says or against?
(Laughter.)
AUDIENCE: For. (Applause.)
HIS HOLINESS: Respect for the dignity and worth of
every person, integrity and responsibility as well as
understanding, compassion and solidarity towards others survive
only if they are passed on in families, in schools and through
the communications media. (Applause.)
AUG-12-1993 18:17
DENVER PRESS OFFICE
303 480 1145 P.004
- 4 -
America has a strong tradition of respect for the
individual, for human dignity and human rights. I gladly
acknowledged this during my previous visit to the United States
in 1987, and I would like to repeat today the hope I expressed on
that occasion. America, you are beautiful. (Applause.)
Beautiful and blessed in so many ways, but your best beauty, your
richest blessing 18 found in the human person. (Applause.)
In each man, woman, and child, in every immigrant,
in every native-born son and daughter, the ultimate test of your
greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially
the weakest and most defenseless ones. (Applause.) The best
traditions of your love presume respect for those who cannot
defend themselves. (Applause.)
If you want equal justice for all and true freedom
and lasting peace, then, America, defend life. (Applause.) All
the great causes that are yours today will have meaning only to
the extent that you guarantee the right to life and protect the
human person. (Applause.)
It has been said in Detroit, September 19, 1987.
Mr. President, my reference to the morale truth
which sustains the life and the nation is not without relevance
to the privileged position which the United states holds in the
international community in the face of tensions and conflicts
that too many peoples have endured for so long. I am thinking
particular of the Middle East region, some African countries, and
in the new situation emerging from the events of 1989, especially
in view of the tragic conflicts now going on in the Balkans and
in the Caucauses. The international community ought to establish
more effective structures for maintaining and promoting justice
and peace. (Applause.)
This implies that a concept of strategic interest
should evolve which is based on the full development of peoples
out of poverty and towards a more dignified existence; out of
injustice and exploitation towards fuller respect for the human
person and the defense of universal and human rights.
(Applause.)
If the United Nations and other international
agencies, through the wise and honest cooperation of the member
nations, succeed in effectively defending stricken populations,
whether victims of underdevelopment or conflicts or the -- of
human rights, then there is indeed hope for the future.
(Applause.) For peace is the work of justice. (Applause.)
Providence of God have laid an enormous
responsibility on the people and government of the United States.
But the burden is also the opportunity for true greatness.
Together with millions of people around the globe I share the
profound hope that in the present international situations, the
United States will spare no effort in advancing authentic freedom
and in fostering human rights and solidarity. (Applause.)
May God guide this nation and keep alive in it for
endless generations to come the flame of liberty and justice for
all.
May God bless you all. God bless America.
(Applause.)
America, America, I express my gratitude to you for
this receiving me with rain. (Laughter and applause.)
END
3:10 P.M. MDT
SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM ATTENDEES
Name
Carolyn Lewis
Name
Christina Garcia
Address
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Address
La Jolla, CA 92037
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Northeast Arkansas Council
Program
Urban Corps of San Diego
on Family Violence
SOS Youth Curps
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Regina Hall
Name
Kitwana McTyer
Address
Warren, AR 71671
Address
Los Angeles, CA 90061
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Delta Service Corps
Program
It's About Health
National Service Demonstration Project
Summer of Service
Name
Steven Lucero
Name
Maryann Green
Address
Sacaton, AZ 85247
Address
Oakland, CA 94611
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Arizona Conservation Corps
Program
East Bay Conservation Corps
SOS Youth Corps
Summer of Service
Name
Rebecca Rees
Name
Rocio Soto
Address
Tempe, AZ 85282
Address
Oxnard, CA 93033
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Literacy Volunteers of
Program
It's About Health
Maricopa County, Inc.
Summer of Service
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Deirdre Johnson
Name
Walker Dearth
Address
Berkeley, CA 94704
Address
Sacramento, CA 95826
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
New Orleans Summerbridge
Program
East Bay Conservation Corps
Summer of Service
Summer of Service
Name
Jason Kamras
Name
Sarumathi Jayaraman
Address
Carmichael, CA 95608
Address
Whittier, CA 90601
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Child Abuse
Program
Building Up, L.A.
Prevention Council, Inc.
Summer of Service
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Geoffrey Holmes
Name
Melinda Higgs
Address
Inglewood, CA 90305
Address
Denver, CO 80206
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Building Up, L.A.
Program
Habitat for Humanity
Summer of Service
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
08/30/93 15:35
059
SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM ATTENDEES
Name
Matthew Rasmussen
Name
Wayne Williamson
Address
Denver, CO 80212
Address
Baxley, GA 31513
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Colorado Youth
Program
Concerted Services, Inc.
in Natural Resources
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
SOS Youth Corps
Name
Regina Rodriguez
Name
Marla Goldwasser
Address
Golden, CO 80401
Address
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Colorado Youth
Program
Hands on Atlanta
in Natural Resources
Summer of Service
SOS Youth Corps
Name
Kathleen Tully
Name
Marcus Pinkney
Address
Enfield, CT 06082
Address
East Point, GA 30344
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Literacy Volunteers of America
Program
Hands on Atlanta
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Summer of Service
Name
Susan Webster
Name
Chris Smith
Address
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Address
Lyons, GA 30436
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Literacy Volunteers of America
Program
Georgia Peach Corps
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
National Service Demonstration Project
Name
Lisa Yamaoka
Name
Ernest Irby
Address
Sarasota, FL 34243
Address
Ames, IA 50010
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
United Way of Dade County
Program
Greenville Housing Authority
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Lynette Johnson
Name
Elizabeth Kuhl
Address
Atlanta, GA 30314
Address
Ames, IA 50010
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Clark Atlanta University
Program
United Way of Greater Memphis
Summer of Service
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Eric Reid
Name
Danielle Jimerson
Address
Atlanta, GA 30331
Address
Des Moines, IA 50314
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Clark Atlanta University
Program
New Horizons
Summer of Service
Iowa Conservation Corps
SOS Youth Corps
08/30/93 15:35
SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM ATTENDEES
Name
Lindsey Reed
Name
Claudette Thyme
Address
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Address
Dorchester, MA 02125
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
New Horizons
Program
Drumlin Farm's Food Project
Iowa Conservation Corps
SOS Youth Corps
SOS Youth Corps
Name
Timothy Dobbins
Name
Xiomara Ramos
Address
Chicago, IL
Address
Dorchester, MA 02121
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Youth Opportunity Corps
Program
Mass. Department of Education
SOS Youth Corps
Bureau of Adult Education
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Leslie Brown
Name
Saskia Grinberg
Address
Chicago, IL 60618
Address
Lincoln, MA 01773
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Uptown Habitat for Humanity
Program
City Year
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
National Service Demonstration Project
Name
Lawrence Williams
Name
Ronald Vining
Address
New Orleans, LA 70127
Address
Medford, MA 02155
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Delta Service Corps
Program
Tufts University
National Service Demonstration Project
Summer of Service
Name
Jorge Palmarin
Name
Aquila Powell
Address
Boston, MA 02118
Address
Baltimore, MD 21239
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
City Year
Program
MPOWER
Summer of Service
Summer of Service
Name
Iyeoka Okoawo
Name
Mary John
Address
Boston, MA 02120
Address
Baltimore, MD 21202
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
City Year
Program
Volunteer Maryland
Summer of Service
National Service Demonstration Project
Name
Olinda Marshall
Name
Darrell Winston
Address
Cambridge, MA 02140
Address
Baltimore, MD 21215
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Tufts University
Program
Baltimore READS, Inc.
Summer of Service
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
08/30/93 15:35
NO.
SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM ATTENDEES
Name
Chris Longmore
Name
Algie Mayo
Address
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Address
Durham, NC 27581
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
MPOWER
Program
Durham Service Corps
Summer of Service
SOS Youth Corps
Name
Jocelyn Miles
Name
Deidre Woodhouse
Address
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Address
Greensboro, NC 27401-3239
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Maryland Conservation Corps
Program
Operation Get Down
SOS Youth Corps
Birth Program
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Jill Cobenais
Name
Paula McCullough
Address
Red Lake, MN 56671
Address
Washington, NC 27889
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Red Lake Band Summer of Service
Program
North Carolina Low Income
Summer of Service
Housing Coalition
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Terrence Senogles
Name
Reshard Riggins
Address
Red Lake, MN 56671
Address
Wilmington, NC 28412
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Red Lake Band Summer of Service
Program
Ohio Wesleyan University
Summer of Service
Summer of Service
Name
Elizabeth Kilian
Name
Peter Andrew
Address
St. Louis, MO 63125
Address
Londonderry, NH 03053
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
The Hollywood Youth Corps
Program
New Hampshire
St. Louis County
Conservation Corps
SOS Youth Corps
SOS Youth Corps
Name
William McNeil
Name
Maria Theresa Abuan
Address
Meridian, MS 39301
Address
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Meridian Housing Authority
Program
Newark Summer of Service
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Summer of Service
Name
Jennifer De Voe
Name
Cleon Hargrove
Address
Helena, MT 59601
Address
Hillside, NJ 07205
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Fremont Public Association
Program
Newark Summer of Service
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Summer of Service
08/30/93 15:36
NO.059
SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM ATTENDEES
Name
Diane Beaver
Name
Mary Colleran
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
Address
Address
Irving, NY 14081
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
ICARE
Program
Seneca Nation Language Link
CANCELLED!!!
Summer of Service
National Service Demonstration Project
Name
James Anderson
Name
Andrew Gauldin
Address
South Orange, NJ 07079
Address
New York, NY 10029
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Project Read, Inc.
Program
Harlem Freedom Schools
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Summer of Service
Name
Angela Brown
Name
Josh Klaris
Address
Bronx, NY 10453
Address
New York, NY 10014
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Highbridge Community
Program
Teach for America
Life Center
Summer of Service
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Dorothy Chavannes
Name
Camille Pierre
Address
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Address
New York, NY 10030
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Harlem Freedom Schools
Program
Teach for America
Summer of Service
Summer of Service
Name
Qiana Hankins
Name
Valda Foster
Address
Brooklyn, NY 11212
Address
Woodhaven, NY 11421
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
City Volunteer Corps
Program
ACORN
SOS Youth Corps
Summer of Service
Name
Kerwin Lawrence
Name
Richard Bunce
Address
Brooklyn, NY 11233
Address
Bay Village, OH 44140
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
New York City
Program
Ohio Literacy Network
Public Service Corps
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
SOS Youth Corps
Name
Virgilio Bravo
Name
Vassilisa Johri
Address
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Address
Delaware, OH 43015
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
ACORN
Program
Ohio Wesleyan University
Summer of Service
Summer of Service
SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM ATTENDEES
Name
Nancy Ray
Name
Suzanne Ruiz
Address
Tulsa, OK 74128
Address
Milwaukee, W I 53210
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
Health Careers Volunteers
Program
Milwaukee Community
National Service Demonstration Project
Service Corps
SOS Youth Corps
Name
Julie Friedberg
Name
Chris Meier
Address
Narberth, PA 19072
Address
Oregon, W I 53575
Position
Participant
Position
Participant
Program
New Orleans Summerbridge
Program
Oregon Youth
Summer of Service
Conservation Corps
SOS Youth Corps
Name
Me Kyung Rim
Address
Oreland, PA 19075
Position
Participant
Program
ICARE
Summer of Service
Name
Tiffany Lorry
Address
Wayne, PA 19087
Position
Participant
Program
Pennsylvania Service Corps
National Service Demonstration Project
Name
Annette Wilson
Address
Willow Grove, PA 19090
Position
Participant
Program
Energy Coordinating Agency
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Santina Florio
Address
Providence, RI 02904
Position
Participant
Program
Habitat for Humanity
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Name
Susana Macias
Address
El Paso, TX 79915
Position
Participant
Program
Texas Department of Health
SOS VISTA Summer Associates
Background Briefing:
The Summer of Service Forum
Today over 70 young people who spent this summer serving
their community and their country will share their experiences
with President Clinton and each other during the "Summer of
Service Forum" at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD.
The event will take place in the Stamp Student Union, Colony
Ballroom at approximately 10:45 AM.
The young people from across the country recently
participated in a number of national service projects, including
the VISTA Summer Associates programs, as well as Summer of
Service (SOS) programs, Summer Youth Corps, and National Service
Demonstration Model programs, all sponsored by the Commission on
National and Community Service (CNCS). The sixteen SOS projects
were undertaken specifically in the wake of President Clinton's
call for a "summer of service" during a March 1 speech at Rutgers
University. Prior to reporting directly to the President, forum
participants will have already held meetings on Sunday and Monday
to share information and accomplishments.
Currently awaiting final action in the Senate, the National
and Community Service Act of 1993 would allow young people to
serve in their communities for one or two years, while helping
pay their way through college or pay off existing loan debt. The
service initiative is new public policy founded on the oldest
American values: opportunity, responsibility, and community. It
is designed to take on some of America's most challenging unmet
domestic needs by capitalizing on one of our nation's most
valuable untapped resources -- it's young people.
The legislation would also combine the Commission on
National and Community Service with ACTION (the agency that
houses VISTA and other programs), two federal entities that deal
specifically with service. All of the programs represented at
the Forum would then fall directly under a new Corporation for
National Service.
Attached you should have the following hand-outs:
1. A program of today's events.
2. A complete list of all the Commission on National Service and
Action sponsored programs to be represented at today's event.
3. Brief descriptions of each of the programs represented at the
forum.
4. A one-page description of the content and status of the
National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993.
5. Press Clips on the Summer of Service.
FROM: BSOS, DEANS OFFICE
TO:912024556420
AUG 31, 1993 8:52AM #582 P.02
MEMORANDUM
AUGUST 30, 1993
TO
BLI SEGAL
FROM
DIANA ALDRIDGE
RE
FACTS AND ANECDOTES FOR THE PRESIDENT
ON THE SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM
Format Review:
The President will be on stage with five young Summer of Service
presenters. The stage will be in the center of a ccmi-circle
comprised of the 70 young people who are representative of the
Summer of Service programs.
Each young presenter will narrate a slide show for five minutes;
followed by a Q&A discussion with the President for six minutes;
concluding with a special story told to the President by a young
person in the audience (pre-selected), who is called upon by the
facilitator.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Each young presenter on the stage knows to
anticipate a possible follow-up question or comment from the
President when they conclude their remarks. At the end of their
presentation, they will thank the President and linger momentarily
at the podium.
The following identifies and describes the young presenters and the
audience story tellers.
FIRST SEGMENT - HEALTH
Beginning Presenter on Stage:
Susana Macias
VISTA Summer Associate
Texas Department of Health
Latino Female; age 20
Susana worked this summer as a Vista Summer Associate on a WIC and
immunization project for Latino children in six Texas towns. She
found the work challenging but was sometimes frustrated by what she
often perceived as a lack of concern from the families on behalf of
their children.
FROM: BSOS, DEANS OFFICE
TO: S12024566420
AUG 31, 1993 8:53AM #582 P.03
PAGE TWO
Audience Storyteller at End of Segment:
Rocio Boto
It's About Health Summer of Service
Latina Female; age 21
Rocio will be asked to stand up from the audience to tell the
President about her work for "It's About Health" this summer at the
Venice Dental Clinic, where she cared for and cducated residents of
the predominantly Latino section of Los Angeles. She is applying
for a grant to open a teen center in Oxnard that addresses the
growing problems of drug abuse and the spread of AIDS among Latino
youth.
SECOND SEGMENT -- ENVIRONMENT
second Presenter on Stage:
Matt Rassmussen
Colorado Youth In Natural Resources
Caucasian Male; age 18
Matt worked all summer on a Colorado wetlands project that
completely restored an ecosystem which had been destroyed a few
years ago by the building of an interstate highway. This was a
pilot program and he likes to talk about the possibility of
replicating it.
special Presenter on stage:
Terry Senogles
Summer of Service Red Lake Band
Native American; age 18
Terry will be giving a special one-minute presentation on his
tribe's sos project which cleared a stream and created a nature
trail. He wants the President to know about the special bond his
tribe feels between their land and their culture.
Audience storytellers at End of Segment:
Maria Theresa Abuan
Cleon Hargrove
Newark Summer of Service
Maria will be asked to stand up and tell the President about
several entrepreneurial Newark SOS members. They quit their
accigned job after several days of weeding because they felt their
work was not making a meaningful difference. On their own, they
designed a presentation in environmental education. They then
traveled the lesson plan to all other Newark SOS Projects, reaching
thousands of children.
FROM: BSOS, DEANS OFFICE
TO: 912024566420
AUG 31, 1993 8:53AM #582 P.04
PAGE THREE
Cleon Hargrove will follow Maria for a few brief comments on his
innovative work with the Amelior Foundation. The foundation gave
participante $100 cach to design ontropreneurial service projects
on their own.
THIRD SEGMENT -- EDUCATION
Third Presenter on stage:
Marcus Pinkney
Summer of Service Hands on Atlanta
African-American Age:18
Marcus worked as a teacher's assistant at Atlanta's College Park
Elementary School, where he served as a role model to neighborhood
children. He was one of several SOS participants who created a
unique after-school program, attracting almost as many children as
attended during the day. Marcus is anxious to tell the President
about a sports/academic educational game that they designed.
Audience storyteller at End of Segment:
Kathleen Tully (accompanied by her seeing dog Molly)
VISTA Summer Associate
Literacy Volunteers of America
Kathleen, blinded just three years ago, will be asked to stand and
tell the President about her frustrations over the lack of teaching
materials for blind tutors. She plans to start a pilot program
state-wide in Connecticut, in collaboration with the National
Federation for the Blind. The program would develop these
materials, and encourage other visually impaired people to join in
the literacy movement.
FOURTH SEGMENT -- PUBLIC SAFETY
Fourth Presenter on Stage:
Regina Hall
Delta Service Corps - 911 Project in Fordyce, Arkansas
Caucasian Female; Age: 23
Regina is representing the Delta Service Corps which is sponsoring
an innovative 911 start-up program in rural, Dallas County. The
Chamber of Commerce, the Delta Service Corps and volunteers have
just completed a census to determine addresses, telephone numbers
and resident's special needs for the county of 7,000. Although
Regina herself has not worked directly on this program -- she is
anxious to tell the President more about it.
FROM: BSOS, DEANS OFFICE
TO:912024556420
AUG 31, 1993 8:54AM #582 P.05
PACE FOUR
Audience Storyteller at End of Segment:
Geoff Holmes
Summer of Service Building Up L.A.
Community Youth Gang Services
Geoff will be asked to stand up and tell the President about his
work with the Community Youth Gang Services in Los Angeles. Raised
in South Central and often in trouble -- he developed a
presentation on crime and violence avoidance based on his own
experiences.
SPECIAL CLOSING SEGMENT -- SERVICE AND DISASTER RELIEF
There will be a final closing segment on disaster relief presented
by three young participants in the front row of the audience. Two
worked in flood relief with corps this summer; the third with
Hurricane Andrew recovery in Dade County. The three will make
brief consecutive statements on service and disaster relief and
there personal experiences. The President should respond briefly -
- siting the four million dollar portion of his flood relief
package.
Lisa Yamaoka
VISTA Summer Associate
United Way of Dade County
Asian Female; Age:21
Lisa did physical repair work on homes still damaged a year after
the hurricane. She worked with children in the migrant workers
camps and served as a teacher's assistant in a therapeutic camp
especially designed to treat the emotional effects of the
hurricane.
Danielle Jimerson
Iowa Conservation Corps
African-American Female; Age:17
Danielle spent the last five weeks in Des Moines, Iowa doing heavy
physical labor in flood clean-up. Danielle is shy and comes from
an extremely disadvantaged background. However, she was one of the
few corps members hired at the beginning who stuck with it until
the very end -- and she is very proud of that.
Peter Andrew
New Hampshire Conservation Corps
White Male;
Age:19
Peter and his New Hampshire Corps Members canceled their end of the
summer cance trip; raised money to augment their vacation funds;
and traveled to Iowa to join the relief efforts in one of the
state's hardest hit flood areas.
FROM: BSOS, DEANS OFFICE
TO:912024566420
AUG 31, 1993 8:54AM #582 P.06
THE SUMMER OF SERVICE FORUM WITH THE PRESIDENT
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
AUGUST 31, 1993
INTRODUCTIONS AND REMARKS
10:45
President in Holding Room with Sen. Mikulski and
others. Mccts Greg Ricks and presenters. Short
briefing by Greg Ricks on format and his cues.
10:48
Greg Ricks and presenters leave holding room for
stage. Presenters on stage in pre-assigned seating.
Special presenters take their seats in first row.
Greg welcomes participants and says the
President and B. Mikulski will be coming shortly
10:50
Announcement of the President of the United States;
President and B. Mikuleki onter from holding room.
President sits on the stool -- Mikulski proceeds
to podium.
B. Mikulski makes introductory romarks and introduces
the President.
10:53
The President makes brief remarks -- probably from the
stool or moving around the stage -- discussing his
vision and objectives for national service; and
welcomes the opportunity to discuss with them their
individual and shared experiences.
FIRST SEGMENT
10:56
Greg Ricks assumes the podium and thanks the Procident
on behalf of SOS. He then gives brief remarks setting
the context and format for the Forum.
Greg Ricks then introduces the first discussion issue
-- HEALTH -- and introduces the first presenter -
SUSANA MACIAS -- of El Paso Texas who worked this
summer on a Vista-sponsored Immunization Project in
Texas.
10:58
Susana walks to the podium and begins her presentation.
11:04
Susana ends her presentation and stays at the podium
for a moment for a follow-up question from the
President. Susana briefly responds then sits down.
11:05
Greg Ricks with a hand held mike opens the discussion
by encouraging the audience who worked on health or
have health service topics they wish to discuss to ask
the President questions and/or share their experiences.
Greg stays near the podium.
FROM: BSOS, DEANS OFFICE
TO:912024566420
AUG 31, 1993 8:55AM #582 P.07
Page Two
11:11
The President has interaction with the audience --
calling on his own questioners for approximately six
minutes. Near the end of the discussion session Greg
Ricks approaches the podium and tells the President
that a particular individual in the audience has
something to share with him or her and calls on that
individual (preselected) The President briefly
responds to the story.
SECOND SEGMENT
11:13
Greg Ricks introduces the second issue area --
ENVIRONMENT -- and the second presenter --
MATT RASMUSSEN -- a Colorado Corps member who worked on
a wetlands project.
11:14
Matt walks to the podium and gives his presentation.
11:20
Matt ends his presentation by introducing
TERRY SENOGLES for a special one-to-two minute
presentation on the Red Lake Native American Indian
project. Matt stays near the podium with Terry.
11:21
Terry gives brief two-minute presentation. Matt and
Terry stay at the podium for a minute for a possible
follow-up question(s) from the President. They respond
briefly then Matt and Terry sit down.
11:24
Greg Ricks with a hand-held mike encourages the
audience interaction as before. The President then
calls on his own questioners for approximately six
minutes. Near the end of the session Greg approaches
the podium and sets up the presentation from the
presclected audience member as before. The President
briefly responds to the story. Greg stays at the
podium.
THIRD SEGMENT
11:30
Greg Ricks introduces the third issue -- EDUCATION --
and the third presenter -- MARCUS PINKNEY -- who is
from Atlanta and worked on the sos Atlanta project
"Hands on Atlanta."
11:31
Marcus walks to the podium and begins his presentation.
11:37
Marcus ends his presentation and stays at the podium
for a follow-up question from the President. Marcus
then sits down.
FROM: BSOS, DEANS OFFICE
TO: 912024566420
AUG 31, 1993 8:56AM #582 P.08
Page Three
11:38
Greg Ricks -- as before -- opens the discussion up to
the President and the audience for approximately six
minutes. Toward the end of the session Greg walks to
the podium and sets-up the pre-selected audience member
as before. The President briefly responds.
FOURTH AND FINAL SEGMENT
11:44
Greg Ricks introduces the last issue -- PUBLIC SAFETY
-- and the last presenter -- REGINA HALL -- a member of
the Delta Service Corps in Arkansas who sponsored a
rural "911" project.
11:45
Regina walks to the podium and gives her presentation.
11:51
Regina ends her presentation and stays for a moment at
the podium for a followup question from the president.
11:52
Greg Ricks -- as before -- opens the discussion up to
the
President and the audience for approximately six
minutes. Toward the end of the session Greg walks to
the podium and sets-up the pre-selected audience member
as before. The President briefly responds.
SPECIAL DISASTER RELIEF SEGMENT
11:58
Greg Ricks takes his hand-held mike to the front row of
the audience to the (good cut-away side) where three
presenters say a few words on national service and
disaster relief -- LISA YAMAOKA (who worked with Vista
on Hurricane Andrew recovery in Dade County) ; DANIELLE
JIMERSON, a member of the Iowa Service Corps who worked
on flood relief; and Peter Andrew, with the New
Hampshire Corps who organized an out-of-state caravan
to the flood zones.
Each will speak very briefly (each scripted at 45-
seconds).
12:01
The president will respond briefly regarding the
importance of national service in disaster relief and
his $4 million package in the relief legislation for
service.
12:02
EVENT ENDS with thank-you from Greg Ricks and
closing by President.
Directions to the Summer of Service Forum
The University of Maryland at College Park
Tuesday August 31, 1993
From Baltimore and Points North
I-95 South to the Capitol Beltway (495) to College Park (Exit
25B). Proceed on US 1 South Approximately 2.2 miles to the
University of Maryland campus on the right. Turn right onto
campus drive and proceed through the North Gate (the main stone
gate) past the University of Maryland "M". Continue on campus
drive up the hill through three stop signs, until the fork in the
road, bear right into the reserved parking area in front to Cole
Field House.
From Downtown Washington
George Washington Memorial Parkway North to the Capitol Beltway
North (495), to College Park (Exit 25B). Proceed on US 1 South
Approximately 2.2 miles until the University of Maryland campus
on the right. Follow directions as above.
no
The following list consists of the VISTA Summer Associates (including
their age, nationality and issue area) attending the SOS Forum:
1) AZ - Rebecca Rees (23, white) - Education
2) AK - Carolyn Lewis (37, African-American) - Public Safety
3) CA - Jason Kamaras (20, white) - Public Safety
4) CO - Melinda Higgs (26, white) - Health & Human Needs
5) CT - Kathleen E. Tully (40, white) - Education
Susan Webster (37, white) - will accompany Kathy who is blind
6) FL - Lisa Yamaoka (20, Asian) - HHN
7) GA - Wayne Gregory "Bubba" Williamson (19, white) - Education
8) IL - Leslie Brown (23, white) - HHN
9) MD - Darrell Winston (23, African-American) - Education
10) MA - Xiomara Ramos (19, Latino female) - Education
11) MI - Deidre E. Woodhouse (22, African-American) - HHN
12) MS - William McNeil (23, African-American) - Public Safety
13) NJ - James C. Anderson III (21, white) - Education
14) NY - Angela Brown (25, African-American) - Education
15) NC - Paula McCullough (33, African-American) - HHN
16) OH - Richard Bunce (18, white) - Education
17) PA - Annette Wilson (29, African-American) - Environment
18) RI - Melissa Santina Florio (24, white) - HHN
19) SC - Ernest Irby II (22, African-American) - Education
20) TN - Elizabeth K. Kuhl (22, white) - HHN
21) TX - Susana Macias (22, Latino) - HHN
22) WA - Jennifer (Jenny) DeVoe (21, white) - HHN
The 7 project directors attending are:
1) AK - Kelly Mackey: NE Arkansas Council on Family - Public Safety
2) CO - Alice Grunbeck: Habitat For Humanity - HHN
3) MA - Allyne Pecevich: Mass. Department of Education
4) PA - Diana Kalenga: Greater Phil. Federation of Settlements - HHN
5) SC - Janice Turner: Housing Authority of the City of Greenville
6) TN - Regina Walker: United Way of Greater Memphis - HHN
7) TX - Marge Tripp: Texas Department of Health - HHN
alt) GA - Letta Cox: Concerted Services, Inc. - Education
VISTA Summer Associate Carolyn Lewis
Sponsor: Northeast Arkansas Council on Family Violence
Jonesboro, AR
On July 26, 1993, a domestic violence shelter that houses 10
adults and 20 children opened its doors in Jonesboro, Arkansas
thanks in great part to the hard work and dedication of VISTA
Summer Associate Carolyn Lewis, 14 other Summer Associates, and a
full-time VISTA volunteer. Working at the Northeast Arkansas
Council on Family Violence, the VISTA volunteers solicited
donations of furniture, wrote and published a volunteer training
manual, and worked with local business to secure in-kind
contribution and donations.
Lewis, who received her BSE in 1978 at Tennessee State
University and her MSE in 1991 at Arkansas State University, spent
most of her time this summer organizing various aspects of a
domestic violence shelter. She established a food, nutritional and
health program for the children, helped write the volunteer manual,
and developed other policies for the shelter. Thirty-seven year
old Lewis also helped educate the victims on healthy eating habits
for themselves and their children.
The mission of the Northeast Arkansas Council on Family
Violence is to empower individuals who experience domestic violence
and to break the cycle by providing a safe haven, education, legal
advice, and social services. The Council serves a 5 county area in
Northeast Arkansas.
VISTA Summer Associate Rebecca Rees
Sponsor: Literary Volunteers of Maricopa County
Phoenix, AZ
Rebecca Rees spent her summer trying to fulfill a dream of
hers -- eradicating illiteracy in the United States. She, along
with 10 other VISTA Summer Associates and full-time VISTA
volunteers, developed and implemented an intergenerational family
literacy project in Maricopa County (AZ). The project tutors
functionally illiterate unemployed adults in an effort to move them
back into the work place.
Twenty-three year old Rees, who currently attends Arizona
State University, interviewed and evaluated new students to the
literacy program and canvassed local community hot-spots looking
for possible tutors. She also compiled and presented a list of
resource organizations for future use.
Rees was so inspired by her summer of service that she is
currently implementing a partnership between Literacy Volunteers
and Arizona State University to enable other students to become
involved in solving the problem of illiteracy. Myles Presler,
campus coordinator for SCALE (Student Coalition for Action in
Literacy Education) describes Rees efforts as "the cutting edge of
literacy" because of the cooperative effort between a community
organization and a university.
Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County was established in 1982
as a free one-on-one adult reading tutor program. It now serves
1,500 students each year.
VISTA Summer Associate Jason Kamaras
Sponsor: Child Abuse Prevention Council, Inc., Sacramento, CA
Project: Community Empowerment Program
Working with 200 high-risk kids in the Evergreen apartment
complex, VISTA Summer Associate Jason Kamaras and fellow VISTA
Associate Karen Krantz made Evergreen the first Sacramento housing
complex to have an on-site summer school serving children's needs.
Jason served as a teacher, tutor and recreation leader, providing
a positive male role model for the children, most of whom come from
households headed by single mothers. In addition to his work
educating the children, Jason assisted the federal summer free
lunch program, providing lunch to some 60 kids every day, sometimes
the only meal they would have all day. He also organized sports
and arts and crafts activities that helped children develop skills
while providing respite and teaching parenting techniques to their
mothers and fathers.
A 20-year-old Princeton University student, James reflected on
his service when his VISTA Summer Associates program ended. He
wrote, "I have developed friendships with amazing children,
dedicated parents and committed VISTAs. I have seen part of
Sacramento which would have gone unnoticed otherwise. My eyes have
opened a bit to the realities of life 'on the other side of town.'
I have realized that the residents of Evergreen cannot be lumped
into one group, but rather are individuals with distinct lives. I
have learned how difficult it is to raise children, how tiring and
rewarding it can be and how monstrous and fun 'they' can be."
VISTA Summer Associate Melinda Higgs
Sponsor: Habitat for Humanity
Denver, Colorado
When Habitat for Humanity in Denver, Colorado wanted to
increase public and community awareness of its projects so they
could provide more homes for low-income families, it turned to
VISTA Summer Associate Melinda Higgs, 33 other Summer Associates,
and full-year VISTA volunteers. The goal was to create a stronger
statewide network for the Habitat for Humanity affiliate and to
mobilize their resources.
Higgs, working on her Master's Degree at the University of
Colorado, became the primary person responsible for public
relations and media during the Denver World Youth Day Building
Blitz. During the "Blitz," four new homes were constructed
including one built completely by Women Accepting the Challenge
(WATCH). The project received both local and national coverage
thanks to the efforts of Higgs.
Habitat for Humanity builds houses for low-income people using
donated land, labor, cash, and materials. Funds are raised through
individual and church donations, as well as public and private
grants.
VISTA Summer Associate Wayne Gregory "Bubba" Williamson
Sponsor: Concerted Services, Inc. Head Start Program
hycross, GA
Wayne Gregory Williamson, or "Bubba" as his friends
affectionately call him, looks at life as a welcomed challenge that
is to be met head on. That is why he spent this summer working as
a VISTA Summer Associate canvassing communities in the Waycross, GA
area to recruit eligible children for the Concerted Services, Inc.
(CSI) Head Start Program and testing the children in preparation
for the beginning of the program year.
At 19-years of age, Williamson is already a strong advocate
for volunteerism. In the heat of the Georgia summer, he conducted
home visits, posted flyers and even visited the Department of
Family and Children and the Health Department to find disadvantaged
children eligible for the Head Start program. He oversaw all the
paperwork -- from application to family needs assessment --
interviewed members of the family, and assisted in the DIAL-R
(Developmental Indicator for the Assessment of Learning-Revised)
testing of the children. Williamson recruited and completed
testing on 160 children in his three-county area.
The CSI Head Start Program operates nine centers that provide
social services for 23 counties in rural southeast Georgia.
Children must meet eligibility requirements and be between three
and four years of age. Previously, the testing of the children was
done after they had reached the classroom, but this summer, thanks
to the VISTA program, fifty-two percent of the screen was completed
prior to the start of the program. The Head Start Program provides
educational and social services for over 625 children and their
families.
Williamson, who attends Brunswick College, is already
clamoring to return to be a VISTA Summer Associate next summer.
VISTA Summer Associate Leslie Brown
Sponsor: Uptown Habitat for Humanity, Inc., Chicago, Illinois
Thirty-one low-income families in the Chicago area now have
housing thanks in large part to the efforts of VISTA volunteer
Leslie Brown. She spent her summer, along with 30 other summer
associates and full-year VISTA volunteers, working for the Uptown
Habitat for Humanity in Chicago rehabilitating low-income housing
at three locations in Chicago.
Brown, a 23-year old native of Evanston, IL and a graduate of
Columbia College, supervised the West Humboldt Park site by
overseeing volunteers assisting with the construction, assessing
material needs on sites, and working with the families in
relocation efforts. Additionally, she worked with neighborhood
organizations designing the best ways they could work in
partnership with Habitat. Brown said one of her most important
tasks was "working with the neighborhood organizations, families,
participants, and volunteers to get the construction of the new
house running effectively." She also began a video project
designed to promote the efforts of Habitat for Humanity. After
researching sponsors, pitching the idea, figuring out the
logistics, Brown reports the shoot is scheduled to take place in
September.
Since it foundation in 1985, the Uptown Habitat has completed
17 housing complexes by rehabilitating existing multiple dwelling
housing. Specific work activities include carpentry, painting,
roofing, site preparation, and building layout. Associates also
work with community volunteers to build, promote, raise funds, and
recruit additional community volunteers.
Even with the Summer of Service project coming to an end,
Brown will continue her work with VISTA because, after her summer
experience, she converted to a full-year VISTA position.
VISTA Summer Associate Xiomara Ramos
Sponsor: Massachusetts Department of Education
Malden, MA
Xiomara Ramos, a 19-year-old Boston College student, spent the
summer with 31 Summer Associates and seven full-time VISTA
volunteers helping to implement the programs of the Massachusetts
Department of Education/Bureau of Adult Education and working
directly with communities lacking literacy resources to implement
new programs. As volunteers, they performed one-on-one tutoring
with at-risk children and their parents, as well as arranged for
literacy services to continue after the traditional school year
ends.
Originally from Dorchester, MA., Ramos worked for the United
South End Settlements coordinating literary activities for the
computer resource room and implementing writing, reading, and
geography programs for 70 children aged three to 17. Other
volunteers in the United South End Settlements arm of the project
organized book drives, worked with children to prepare them for
kindergarten, and taught computer classes to senior citizens in the
community.
The Massachusetts Department of Education/Bureau of Adult
Education focuses on the family literacy needs of the residents of
Boston.
VISTA Summer Associate Darrell Winston
Sponsor: Baltimore Reads, Inc.
Project: The Door
"At the beginning of the summer, a lot of the children were
three or four years behind in reading. By the end of the summer,
a lot of children were at their own reading level and a few were
above grade level, says Darrell Winston, describing the children
age six-to-11 he worked with as a VISTA Associate at The Door
literacy program. Darrell implemented a literacy program that
helps children increase reading skills by showing them a new way to
spell tied to hearing and enunciating sounds.
Darrell's service with VISTA extended his three years of
volunteer work at The Door. "I decided to work as a VISTA this
summer because I love working with children and providing hope in
hopeless times, " he says. Darrell, age 23, is a native of
Baltimore and attends the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
VISTA Summer Associate Deidre E. Woodhouse
Sponsor: Warren/Conner Development Coalition
Detroit, MI
Deidre E. Woodhouse, a 22 year-old attendee of Bennett
College, spent her summer with 40 Summer Associates and full-year
VISTA volunteers planning educational and recreational activities
for at-risk youths in the Detroit area. Summer Associates also
coordinated self-esteem and employment training programs, worked
with teen parents, coordinated neighborhood clean-ups, provided
literacy services, secured food, and provided computer training
services.
Woodhouse, who grew up in Southfield, MI., was part of the
Operation Get Down B.I.R.T.H. program. She, along with the Summer
Associates, assisted with providing health-related needs for
expectant teens and their children, and with finding housing for
homeless men and women. Woodhouse was in charge of recruiting
single mothers to attend parenting skills program, with organizing
the parenting skills programs, and with finding speakers for the
parenting skills program.
Warren/Conner was incorporated in 1984 by east side Detroit
business and residential leaders. It has effectively developed and
implemented programs for youth, crime prevention, and economic
development for residents living in low-income housing projects and
devastated areas on the east side of Detroit.
VISTA Summer Associate William McNeil
Sponsor: The Housing Authority of Meridian, Mississippi
As a VISTA Summer Associate, Wiiliam McNeil created learning
programs that provided kids with alternatives to drug-use and drug
related activities. The summer enrichment projects and educational
activities he designed and carried out made this a summer of
learning for many high-risk children in Meridian public housing.
His efforts included sponsoring a youth talent show and an inter-
generational music exchange, and conducting educational field trips
to the local Naval Air Station, to the Mayor's offices, the county
courthouse and police and fire stations.
A graduate of Livingston University, McNeil, age 23, arranged
a program with local businesses that gave youngsters a behind-the-
scenes education on such things as the daily operations of a major
department store and how a local restaurant plans and runs its
fast-food delivery system. William's innovative programs taught
young people the excitement of managing a business or serving a
public organization in their community, encouraging them to further
their education and pursue careers.
William McNeil is a native of Meridian.
VISTA Summer Associate James C. Anderson, III
Sponsor: Project Read, Inc.
Newark, New Jersey
This summer, VISTA Associate James Anderson, III, put his
skill as a graphic artist to work for Project Read, re-designing
all of its promotional materials and creating flyers and brochures
to publicize the Parent Literacy Awareness program.
A
communication and advertising art major at Seton Hall University,
James designed brochures for soliciting corporate support and
recruiting literacy tutors in the programs' fall recruitment
campaign. He also designed general recruitment flyers for
recruiting students, door hangers to be used in door-to-door
canvassing and a host of other materials.
Thanks to Mr. Anderson and the great amount of work he
completed over the summer, Project Read's promotional and
information pieces are more effective and will help the program
significantly expand its services.
James Anderson, age 21, is a native of Lutherville, Maryland.
VISTA Summer Associate Paula McCullough
Sponsor: North Carolina Low Income Housing Coalition
Washington, North Carolina
To help the Coalition determine housing needs in the
Washington area and increase services to residents of low-income
housing, VISTA Associate Paula McCullough conducted detailed
surveys of unit conditions for 200 low-income housing residents.
A graduate in early childhood education of Livingstone College in
Salisbury, N.C., Paula herself resides in a Washington low-income
complex. Her survey reports residents' repair needs and gauges
response to problems by management. Her report also measures
resident participation in advisory council meetings and spells out
goals for resident involvement in decision-making and upkeep of
housing projects.
Paula also completed a county-wide survey of needs of homeless
persons, which includes information on homeless people who have
AIDS or suffer from mental health problems. Paula's work as a
VISTA Associate helps increase leadership among low-income
residents, educates the community about needs of low-income
citizens and helps the Coalition increase services where needs are
most pressing.
VISTA Summer Associate Angela Brown
Sponsor: Highbridge Community Life Center
Bronx, NY
Angela Brown grew up in the Bronx, so when this 25-year-old
joined the VISTA Summer Associates program, she returned to
familiar territory to conduct workshops on exercise and nutrition,
to reach out to members of the community who had dropped out of
school, and to take inner city youths on overnight camping and
hiking trips. Brown, along with 10 Summer Associates and full-year
VISTA volunteers, was part of a group that was sponsored by the
Highbridge Community Life Center, an organization that has been
serving the low income community in the south Bronx for 10 years.
Brown served as head counselor at the summer day camp that
mentored and tutored 125 youths aged seven to 13. The children
learned basic reading and communication skills. The summer camp
volunteers also assisted in the distribution of USDA emergency food
by identifying 125 eligible children in the neighborhood.
Highbridge Center's mission is to enable residents to take
more complete control of their own lives and to use their new found
strength to improve the lives of their families and their
neighbors. The Center offers career counseling, training programs
for recipients of public assistance, courses in job preparation,
and job fairs.
VISTA Summer Associate Richard Bunce
Sponsor: Ohio Literacy Network
Cleveland Public Schools
Richard Bunce, a student at Cleveland State University, spent
his summer tutoring under-educated adults and children in reading,
writing, comprehension, and math in the Cleveland Public School
system as part of the Ohio Literacy Network. Along with Bunce, the
Network had 17 VISTA Summer Associates and four full year VISTA
volunteers to help fight illiteracy in Ohio.
Bunce, originally from Bay Village, OH, provided reading and
storytelling services, recruited families and individuals into the
program, and developed new projects for the program. In the
Cleveland City School summer programs, volunteers tutored 107
adults and 76 children all one-on-one. The retention rate of the
students was incredibly high due in large part to Bunce and his
fellow Summer Associates.
"I guess I just want people to know that I feel we have made
a difference, whether it be in behavior, math, reading, or just
showing a sweet, little, old lady how to figure her rent," Bunce
said. "We have definitely touched other people's lives in a most
positive way. "
The Ohio Literacy Network is a nonprofit organization composed
of individuals, and public and private organizations dedicated to
helping illiterate and under-educated people learn the skills
needed to function effectively in society.
VISTA Summer Associate Annette Wilson
Sponsor: Energy Coordinating Agency
Philadelphia, PA
Twenty-nine year old Annette Wilson served as a research
assistant for the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) of Philadelphia
during her summer of service. Along with Wilson, 19 other Summer
Associates worked with other full-time VISTA volunteers to assess
the energy conservation needs of low-income neighborhoods. After
identifying eligible clients, teams provided weatherization repair
service to the places in need.
Wilson, a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a
B.S. in Finance and the University of Pennsylvania with a M.S. in
Energy Management, assisted in the final editing of ECA research
study of the relationship of weatherization and economic
development. She also conducted initial research into the effects
of extremes in response to heat-related deaths during the summer.
The Energy Coordination Agency was established in 1984 to
coordinate the delivery of all low-income energy services through
neighborhood energy centers. The Agency provides the outreach
while the utilities provide the technical expertise to make
repairs.
VISTA Summer Associate Ernest N. Irby, II
Sponsor: The Housing Authority of the City of Greenville, SC
In Greenville, S.C., 22-year-old Ernest N. Irby II spent his
summer implementing a intergenerational summer tutorial program
which works with children, parents, and grandparents to try and
find an alternative route for at-risk youths. As part of the
Housing Authority of the City of Greenville, S.C. program, Irby and
19 other Summer Associates and full-time VISTA volunteers performed
a variety of duties to enhance the program including conducting
library tours, teaching grandparents the fine art of storytelling
for pre-schoolers, and teaching reading and writing skills to
parents.
Irby, a senior at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., worked
with at-risk youths ranging in age from 6 to 13. He tutored the
children, planned summer enrichment activities, and provided much
needed self-esteem boosters. As of July 30, over 320 children were
enrolled in the program.
Housing Authority volunteers mobilize community resources, and
recruit residents of public housing and individuals from the public
and private sectors to help the program further the causes of
dropout prevention, academic enhancement, and drug education.
VISTA Summer Associate Susana Macias
Sponsor: Texas Department of Health
Austin, Texas
Susana Macias spent her summer involved in one of the largest
Summer Associates projects in the nation -- the Texas Department of
Health. Eighty-seven Summer Associates along with full-time VISTA
volunteers worked together at sites in Dallas, Houston, San
Antonio, Waco, and El Paso to conduct a door-to-door campaign to
expand the awareness of the Women, Infant and Children (WIC)
program, immunizations programs, and other preventive services.
They also went to schools, churches, and health organizations to
identify children aged two and under who had not received their
immunization shots.
Twenty-one year old Macias, who is getting an engineering
degree at the University of Southern California, returned to her
hometown of El Paso to be a Summer Associate doing door-to-door
outreach for WIC and immunization, and recruiting community
volunteers to continue the program after the associates have left.
The Summer Associates in El Paso increased the number of WIC
clients from 60 to over 400 in one month.
Macias is following in the footsteps of her Mother, who was
also a VISTA volunteer.
VISTA Summer Associate Jennifer DeVoe
Sponsor: Fremont Public Association, Seattle, Washington
Project: Seattle Emergency Housing
"Homelessness is far from being solved and some dreams and
visions of our little program didn't materialize," says Jennifer
DeVoe, VISTA Summer Associate with Seattle Emergency Housing, "but
the mutual respect we are building and the safe community we are
working to create is the biggest accomplishment of all.' Jennifer
and a fellow VISTA Associate organized a teen summer program that
provided more than 100 young people with educational and
recreational activities and a caring environment while they were
residing in the shelter.
A Helena, Montana native and 1993 graduate of Montana State
bound for Harvard Medical School this fall, Jennifer says, "my job
as a VISTA volunteer is never done. Even if I worked a million
hours a day, I would still go home and think of things I failed to
do--the job of the presidency and of a VISTA volunteer have
something in common!" She says the VISTA Associates program
introduced her to an array of services and a network of caring
individuals. "They give me hope and I look forward to more work in
community service."
"I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a
SUMMER OF SERVICE
season of service: to act on your idealism by helping
troubled children, keeping company with those in
FORUM
need, reconnecting our torn communities."
PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
JANUARY 20. 1993
"
That's why I want to make this summer a summer
of service, when young people can not only serve
OF LS THE OF THE UNITED PRESID BHLAO
their communities, but build a foundation for a new
national effort
Some of them will tutor. Some will
work on programs to immunize young children from
7
preventible childhood diseases. Some will help to
develop and run recreational centers or reclaim urban
parks from dealers and debris. Some will counsel
people a few years younger than themselves to keep
them out of gangs and into good activities. And
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
everyone will learn about serving our country and
AT
helping our communities."
COLLEGE PARK
PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
MARCH 1, 1993
AUGUST 31, 1993
PARTICIPANTS
ORDER OF EVENTS
SUMMER OF SERVICE
Maria Theresa Abuan
Virgilio Bravo
Dorothy Chavannes
Jill Cobenais
REMARKS & INTRODUCTION
Mary Colleran
Walker Dearth
Valda Foster
Julie Friedberg
Senator Barbara Mikulski
Andrew Gauldin
Marla Goldwasser
Maryann Green
Cleon Hargrove
Geoffrey Holmes
Sarumathi Jayarman
President Bill Clinton
Deirdre Johnson
Lynette Johnson
Vassilisa Johri
Josh Klaris
Chris Longmore
Olinda Marshall
Greg Ricks, Facilitator
Kitwana McTyer
Iyeoka Okoawo
Jorge Palmarin
Camille Pierre
Marcus Pinkney
Aquila Powell
Eric Reid
Reshard Riggins
PRESENTERS
Mc Kyung Rim
Terrence Senogles
Rocio Soto
Ronald Vining
Susana Macias
Health & Human Needs
VISTA SUMMER ASSOCIATES
VISTA Summer Associate
James Anderson
Angela Brown
Leslie Brown
Richard Bunce
Jennifer DeVoc
Santina Florio
Matthew Rasmussen
Environment
Melinda Higgs
Ernest Irby
Colorado Youth in Natural Resources
Jason Kamras
Elizabeth Kuhl
Carolyn Lewis
Susana Macias
Paula McCullough
William McNeil
Terrence Senogles
Environment
Niomara Ramos
Rebecca Rees
Enaasimiiyang-Red Lake
Kathleen Tully
Susan Webster
Wayne Gregory Williamson
Annette Wilson
Darrell Winston
Deidre Woodhouse
Marcus Pinkney
Education
Lisa Yamaoka
Hands on Atlanta
SUMMER YOUTH CORPS
Peter Andrew
Timothy Dobbins
Regina Hall
Public Safety
Christina Garcia
Qiana Hankins
Danielle Jimerson
Elizabeth Kilian
Delta Service Corps
Kerwin Lawrence
Steven Lucero
Algie Mayo
Chris Meier
Jocelyn Miles
Matthew Rassmussen
Regina Rodriguez
Lisa Yamaoka
National Service
Lindsey Reed
Suzanne Ruiz
Claudette Thyme
VISTA Summer Associate
and
Disaster Relief
NATIONAL SERVICE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
Danielle Jimerson
Saskia Grinberg
Regina Hall
lowa Conservation Corps
Mary John
Tiffany Lorry
Nancy Ray
Chris Smith
Lawrence Williams
Programs to be represented at the "Summer of Service Forum"
(listed alphabetically, by state)
VISTA - Northeast Arkansas Council on Family Violence, AR
Arizona Conservation Corps-Phoenix, AZ
VISTA - Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County, AZ
Building Up, Los Angeles, CA
East Bay Conservation Corps-Oakland, CA
UCLA-It's About Health-Los Angeles, CA
Urban Corps of San Diego, CA
VISTA - Child Abuse Prevention Council-Sacramento, CA
VISTA - Habitat for Humanity-Denver, CO
Youth in Natural Resources-Denver, CO
VISTA - Literacy Volunteers of America-Hartford, CT
VISTA - United Way of Dade County, FL
Clark Atlanta University/Greater Atlanta Conservation Corps, GA
Georgia Peach Corps, GA
Hands on Atlanta Summer of Service, GA
VISTA - Concerted Services, Inc.-Waycross, GA
New Horizons-Iowa Conservation Corps-Des Moines, IA
VISTA - Uptown Habitat for Humanity-Chicago, IL
Youth Opportunity Corps-Cook County, IL
Delta Service Corps, LA
New Orleans Summerbridge, LA
City Year/Northeastern University-Boston, MA
Drumlin's Farm's Food Project-Concord, MA
Tufts University Forum at Lincoln Filene Center-Boston, MA
VISTA - Massachusetts Department of Education, MA
MPower/Maryland Summer of Service-Baltimore, MD
VISTA - Baltimore Reads, Inc., MD
Volunteer Maryland, MD
VISTA - Warren/Conner Development Coalition-Detroit, MI
Enaasimiiyang-Red Lake, MN
The Hollywood Corps-St. Louis, MO
VISTA - The Housing Authority of Meridian, MS
Durham Service Corps-Durham, NC
VISTA - North Carolina Low Income Housing Coalition, NC
New Hampshire Conservation Corps-Charlestown, NH
Newark Summer of Service, NJ
VISTA - Project Read-Newark, NJ
City Volunteer Corps-New York City, NY
Harlem Freedom Schools-New York City, NY
New York ACORN-New York City, NY
New York City Public Service Corps, NY
Seneca Nation Language Link, NY
Teach for America-New York City, NY
Ohio Wesleyan Summer of Service-Delaware, OH
VISTA - Ohio Literacy Network, OH
Energy Coordinating Agency-Philadelphia, PA
ICARE-Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania Service Corps, PA
VISTA - Habitat for Humanity of Rhode Island, RI
VISTA - The Housing Authority of the City of Greenville, SC
VISTA - United Way of Greater Memphis, TN
VISTA - Texas Department of Health, TX
VISTA - Fremont Public Association-Seattle, WA
Milwaukee Community Service Corps, WI
Oregon Youth Conservation Corps-Madison, WI
###
SUMMER OF SERVICE
SUMMER OF SERVICE PROGRAMS
The Summer of Service program engaged nearly 1,500 young people ages 17 to 25 years in serving
health, educational, environmental and public safety needs of children with 16 programs in 11
rural and urban areas across the country. The Summer of Service was approximately nine and
one half weeks long and included one week of national leadership and service training, eight
weeks of service and the Forum with the President.
The goals of the Summer of Service were:
1. to demonstrate the potential of national service;
2. to provide tangible and measurable community benefits;
3. to develop leaders for national and community service; and
4. to unleash the talents and energies of young people in tackling the nation's urgent needs
The following are brief descriptions of the Summer of Service programs:
Building Up Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
One of two Los Angeles area SOS programs, Building Up L.A. was a city-wide partnership
created for the Summer of Service including more than 25 community based organizations, five
universities and colleges, and 29 secondary and elementary schools. Building Up L.A. created a
peer managed model with the core component being five-person teams working together on
individual service projects. The 150 Building Up L.A. participants concentrated their service in
the communities of East and South Central Los Angeles and Koreatown. Service activities
included tutoring, rebuilding school yards and neighborhood lots, facilitating crime prevention
and drug awareness programs and conducting health education workshops.
City Year/Northeastern University
Boston, MA
One of two Boston area SOS programs, City Year established a full-time residential summer
program in partnership with Northeastern University. The 75 corps members lived on campus
and began each day with physical training. City Year formed six teams that led summer
education programs for hundreds of inner city elementary students and revitalized an urban
garden at the Wheatley Middle School in Roxbury. In collaboration with the Boston
Immunization Action Plan, City Year also participated in a health promotion campaign that
increased the availability and access to vaccines for thousands of families in inner city
neighborhoods and helped children and their families develop a pattern of regular health
checkups. Throughout the summer, corps members participated in an evening enrichment
program that provided training in service learning, diversity awareness and youth leadership.
COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
529 14TH STREET. N.W., SUITE 452, WASHINGTON. D.C. 20045 202/724-0600 FAX 202/724-0608
Clark Atlanta University/Greater Atlanta Conservation Corps
Atlanta, GA
One of two Atlanta area SOS programs, the program is a unique collaboration of Clark Atlanta
University, the Greater Atlanta Conservation Corps, and many community organizations. The
partners included 50 participants including 25 Clark Atlanta University students and 25 other
young people from the Atlanta community. Participants served as counselors with summer
camps in the Washington cluster of the Atlanta Project, tutored and mentored refugee children,
led a kindergarten preparation program for pre-schoolers, and led conflict resolution workshops
for community children.
East Bay Conservation Corps
Oakland, CA
East Bay Conservation Corps was the largest Summer of Service program with 250 participants.
It provided a large scale demonstration of a broad-based community partnership focused on
meeting the educational and health needs of children in Oakland, Berkeley and East Palo
Alto. In addition to the dozens of community organizations, school districts, universities and
public agencies, the primary partners for the program included the Haas Center for Public
Service at Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley. Participants
served as teachers, mentors and tutors for children in local schools and child development
centers and provided immunization, patient support, health promotion and disease prevention
services for children and their families.
Enaasimiiyang-Red Lake
Red Lake, MN
Elders of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians recruited 50 Summer of Service participants
from the tribe for this community-wide effort. Their project involved the rehabilitation of a
creek that feeds historic Red Lake which by the end of the summer with community support
was stocked with trout. Also in response from a request from an elementary school, the
participants cleaned a trail deep into the woods and transformed it into an outdoor classroom.
The trail is lined with educational markings in Ojibwe and English linking nature and the
history and culture of the tribe.
Hands on Atlanta Summer of Service
Atlanta, GA
One of two Atlanta area SOS programs, Hands on Atlanta, a city-wide volunteer organization,
developed their SOS program through a partnership with the College Park Elementary
school. Located in the Tri-Cities cluster of the Atlanta project, College Park is Atlanta's first
year-round elementary school. The 50 SOS participants served for the first two weeks of their
summer renovating the school yard and the grounds of the public housing project adjacent to the
school. Participants served the rest of the summer as teachers' assistants, counselors and tutors,
and built a community partnership between the school and neighborhood through an outreach
campaign. The participants also helped to create a highly successful after-school program.
Harlem Freedom Schools
New York, NY
One of three New York area SOS programs, the Harlem Freedom Schools project created five
one-room schoolhouse summer programs in the Harlem and Williamsburg communities. The
program built upon the existing federal meals program as the 50 participants served breakfast
and lunch and led summer educational programs for four to sixteen year-old children.
Participants also worked with the local community in renovating public housing and conducted
workshops on lead paint poisoning and violence prevention. The Rheedlen Center for Children
and Families was a lead partner of the Harlem Freedom Schools project.
ICARE-Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
ICARE (Immunizing Children at Risk Early) launched a new cooperative venture involving the
Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development, the City
Department of Health, the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, and local
businesses. ICARE focused primarily on health education outreach and the immunization of
young children. ICARE established six clinics in partnership with neighborhood organizations
and conducted outreach with mobile immunization vans loaned by the city. During the last
half of the summer, ICARE organized a neighborhood-by-neighborhood "blitz" of the city to
increase awareness and to immunize children and their families. ICARE not only immunized
children, but created a permanent computerized database for each child. The greatest success of
ICARE, is that the citywide partnership has funded the clinics so that they will continue the
immunization project for at least another year.
MPower/Maryland Summer of Service
Baltimore, MD
MPower, a collaboration among the University of Maryland at College Park, the Maryland
Student Service Alliance, the Civic Works Youth Corps, and dozens of community based
organizations, involved 75 participants serving children in the Baltimore metropolitan
community. Participants tutored and mentored elementary and middle school children, served
with Save Our Streams in a river clean-up, renovated a city recreation center, managed
education-focused day camps and served as health care outreach assistants with the Baltimore
Department of Health.
New Orleans Summerbridge
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Summerbridge was an eight week academic preparation program serving over 360
middle school students from New Orleans public schools. In partnership with Tulane
University, Xavier University, the New Orleans public schools and community organizations,
Summerbridge expanded its program from two middle schools last summer to four during the
Summer of Service. The 100 SOS participants served as teachers and teachers' assistants to
prepare middle school students for rigorous academic programs in the fall. Students attended
classes as diverse as physics, literature, soccer and video making, and had an average of two
hours of homework per night. SOS participants also assisted local health care providers with
eye exams, hearing tests and nutrition workshops. Summerbridge was designed to inspire
participants to enter the professional fields of education and science.
New York ACORN
New York, NY
One of three New York area SOS programs, ACORN, the national non-profit organization that
addresses housing issues for low-income families, and the Brooklyn Children's Medical Center,
trained 50 participants and neighborhood volunteers in a lead paint poison prevention program.
In Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, ACORN participants walked door-to-door in low income
housing projects to conduct inspections and to educate residents about the hazards of lead paint.
Participants also led community awareness workshops and assisted families to organize in
following up on health concerns after the summer.
Newark Summer of Service
Newark, NJ
Newark Summer of Service was a broad-based partnership including four colleges and
universities, community agencies, businesses and local foundations. Two hundred corps members
served side-by-side with hundreds of volunteers in performing thousands of hours of community
service. Participants worked on a wide variety of service projects including an anti-crime
information campaign, a tutoring program for children, housing and park renovation projects
and a program assisting local health clinics with immunization and health education
outreach.
Ohio Wesleyan Summer of Service
Delaware, OH
The Ohio Wesleyan University program was a campus based residential program combining
direct, full-time community service during the day with a rigorous evening academic and
training program. Ohio Wesleyan's 75 participants worked with twenty Central Ohio agencies
to provide direct community service to thousands of children and their families. Their dozens
of service activities included tutoring and mentoring students from elementary through high
school age, constructing a Habitat for Humanity home, providing health care outreach services
and working with juvenile courts to provide educational support for children with disciplinary
problems.
Teach for America-New York
New York, NY
One of three New York area SOS programs, Teach for America is a national program that
recruits, trains and places college graduates to serve as teachers in severely underserved school
districts. With Summer of Service, Teach for America launched its first summer educational
program in the Washington Heights area of upper Manhattan. The program structure included
25 learning teams each with two SOS participant leaders who were experienced teachers and
graduating high school seniors who tutored and mentored elementary and middle school
students. Each team designed, planned and executed an eight week service project that
addressed environmental concerns in the neighborhood. The learning teams worked to improve
the reading levels, writing skills and English language competence of each team member while
completing their community service project.
Tufts University Forum at Lincoln Filene Center
Medford, MA
One of two Boston area SOS programs, the Tufts University program included 50 Tufts students
and young people from Boston, Medford and the Roxbury community. Participants conducted
community assessments and developed service projects including serving as teachers' assistants
with the West Medford Community Center summer educational program, as counselors at
summer camps with the Huntington YMCA, and as tutors and mentors for fifth grade students
entering sixth grade in Boston Public Schools. In addition to their direct service activities,
these young people participated in a Civic Leadership Seminar throughout the summer.
UCLA-It's About Health
Los Angeles, CA
One of two Los Angeles area SOS programs, It's About Health combined direct health service
delivery with academic studies and leadership training. UCLA School of Nursing recruited
and trained 50 participants to deliver primary health care services to children through health
care centers and home visits. Participants conducted assessments in five health care centers,
provided individualized instruction in preventive health care and conducted health care
utilization histories by interviewing parents and families. The program provided leadership
training and career development opportunities for SOS participants to encourage them to pursue
long-term service opportunities as health care providers.
SERVE MERICA
SETIONAL 30 PRVICE WASSING) CNCS
COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
SUMMER OF SERVICE YOUTH CORPS PROGRAM
Thomas Ehrlich
Chairperson
As part of the President's Call to Service, the Summer of Service
Shirley Sachi Sagawa
Youth Corps grants were a challenge to youth corps to expand the
Reatha Clark King
number of participants in existing summer corps programs and to
Vice-Chairpersons
leverage additional funds. These challenge grants of $500 per
participant were used for participants' stipends only; all other costs
William J. Byron. S.J.
were borne by the youth corps programs through other Federal,
Maria H. Ferrier
Frances Hesselbein
state, local, and private sources of funding.
Leslie Lenkowsky
Paul N. McCloskey. Jr.
Fifteen corps programs received funding totaling approximately
Wavne W. Meisel
$574,500. These fifteen programs represent a geographically diverse
Richard F. Phelps
array of quality programs. Five of the programs are in the
George Romney
Northeast, five are in the Midwest, two are in the South, and three
Patricia T. Rouse
are in the West. Overall, approximately 1100 participants around
Johnnie Smith
the country were engaged in quality youth corps experiences.
Glen W. White
- bert L. Woodson
Board of Directors
Corpsmembers in these programs performed a variety of
conservation and human service projects while taking part in
Secretary of Agriculture
valuable educational programs. For example, participants in the
Secretary of Education
Youth Opportunity Corps in Cook County, Illinois expanded their
Secretary of Health
knowledge of the environment by working with injured wild
& Human Services
animals in nature centers and restoring segments of a 120 mile-long
Secretary of Interior
canal known as the Heritage Corridor. Meanwhile, participants in
Secretary of Labor
Director, ACTION
the Drumlin Farm Food Project, in Boston, Massachusetts, gained a
better understanding of the lives of others and connected rural and
Director. Office of
National Drug
urban communities around Boston by supplying homeless and
Control Policy
needy families in Boston with organic vegetables from their 120-
Ex-Officio Members
acre farm project.
Catherine Milton
The following is a list of the youth corps funded under the Summer
Executive Director
of Service Youth Corps program:
Youth Opportunity Corps
Cook County, IL
Durham Youth Corps
Durham, NC
Urban Corps of San Diego
San Diego, CA
Milwaukee Community Service Corps
Milwaukee, WI
Youth in Natural Resources
Colorado
Oregon Conservation Corps(WI)
Oregon, WI
Drumlin Farm Food Project
Boston, MA
Maryland Conservation Corps
Maryland
529 14th Street, N.W., Suite 452, Washington, D.C. 20045
202/724-0600
Fax 202/724-0608
Hollywood Youth Corps
St. Louis, MO
City Volunteer Corps
New York, NY
Public Service Corps
New York, NY
Arizona Conservation Corps
Phoenix, AZ
Iowa Conservation Corps
Des Moines, IA
Florida Conservation Corps
Florida
New Hampshire Conservation Corps
Charlestown, NH
SERVE AMERICA
COMMESSION CNCS NATIONAL SERVACE
COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
National Service Demonstration Models
Subtitle D of the National and Community Service Act of 1990
Subtitle D of the National and Community Service Act was created to develop and support
model national service programs that engage diverse citizens ages 17 and older in full- and part-time
year-round service. The programs are diverse in geography, focus and design, ranging from crew- or
team-based models concentrated in one community to individual placement models scattered throughout
a multi-state region. All, however, are designed to meet locally identified human, educational,
environmental or public safety needs that would otherwise go unaddressed. In short, the National
Service Demonstration Models seek to demonstrate that diverse citizens can serve together to improve
the quality of life for all Americans.
While a main objective is to deliver needed services that make a meaningful impact on
communities, the models also seek to foster leadership skills and promote positive civic attitudes among
the many, often intergenerational, participants who serve. In exchange for their full year, renewable
commitment, full-time participants earn a modest living allowance and a $5,000 post-service scholarship
(which may be applied for future educational or training expenses or to repay an existing federal student
loan).
There are currently 15 programs operating or being developed in 18 states throughout the
country. The following are brief descriptions of the models:
Models currently in operation:
The Delta Service Corps
Arkansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
The Delta Service Corps is a tri-state community development model operated by Arkansas, Louisiana
and Mississippi. The Delta Corps will assign approximately 1000 full- and part-time participants (over a
three year period) to a variety of community-based organizations, schools and public agencies in the
lower Mississippi Delta counties and parishes to implement the recommendations developed by the
citizens-based Lower Missisippi Delta Development Commission.
Participants of all ages and backgrounds are placed individually but gather regularly in county or parish
teams to consult and coordinate their efforts and to develop and implement signature projects.
Participants perform useful services in their communities, while developing the capacity of the
communities to work together to address their own needs.
The Peach Corps
Georgia
The Georgia Peach Corps is a rural, crew-based and community-driven intergenerational corps that is
operating in two Georgia counties. Both counties were identified on the basis of their participation in the
Governor's "All Star" Community Betterment Program, in which they undertook a comprehensive
community needs assessment. The 120 full-time participants are organized in 20 member teams, which
rotate from education to human services to public works projects. Every Friday, the participants at each
site gather together for leadership development, service learning and educational activities. All service
projects are locally identified and selected by a community advisory board, composed of Peach Corps
staff, participants and community members.
529 14th Street, N.W., Suite 452, Washington, D.C. 20045
202/724-0600
Fax 202/724-0608
Public Allies
Illinois
Public Allies will expand the spirit of service throughout the greater Chicago area by engaging diverse
participants ages 17 to 30 in full-time national service. Participants--called "Allies"- will be individually
placed in community based organizations focused on housing, health care, and youth development issues
in the greater Chicago area. Participants will be organized into 10-member teams for leadership training
and to develop and implement signature service projects. An innovative traing program will result in an
intensive leadership development experience for the Allies.
The Kansas Health and Safety Extension Corps
Kansas
The State of Kansas will operate a public safety model that will address the shortage of critically needed
emergency care in rural communities. Following extensive technical training, participants will be
integrated into the existing emergency medical service (EMS) system as "EMS First Responders." They
also will serve as community educators to train residents in CPR, First Aid and farm safety and to
provide health and safety information to rural schools and public organizations.
Volunteer Maryland!
Maryland
Volunteer Maryland is a state-wide "volunteer multiplier model". The project provides the link between
the many people who want to volunteer but do not know how or where, with the many service
organizations that lack the resources to recruit or manage volunteers successfully. Individually placed in
Community-based organizations, the participants develop and implement volunteer management.
structures, while recruiting volunteers to expand the service impact of their host site. Volunteer Maryland
will revitalize the spirit of service throughout the state by engaging thousands of Marylanders in
volunteering.
City Year
Massachusetts
Boston's version of an "urban peace corps", City Year enlists young people of diverse backgrounds in a
year of service to the city. While more than doubling in size, City Year has maintained high quality
standards and has continued to have a major impact on civic spirit and citizen action throughout Boston.
With Commission and private sector backing, City Year has undertaken innovations in program design
by creating five mission-based divisions focusing on distinct service areas ranging from housing and
homelessness to the needs of school-aged children.
Health Careers Volunteer Program
Oklahoma
The State of Oklahoma has implemented a small career development/mentorship model that has matched
up to 11 AFDC recipients with health care professionals in community-based health care organizations.
Health care professionals provide training and mentoring aimed at helping the participants develop
relevant educational and employment skills as they serve. The emphasis on mentorship, reflection and
service-learning has resulted in participants gaining valuable insight into the health profession, while
rendering much needed services to the community.
The Pennsylvania Service Corps
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Service Corps is something of a community service "officer corps." Engaging both full-
and part-time participants, the program develops leadership skills through placements in community-
based organizations to increase their service capacities while forging partnerships with other
organizations with common interests. Participants, who are supported with an innovative training
program known as the "Univesity in Dispersion," are assigned as coordinators of service-learning
programs in schools, community service directors in post-secondary institutions, and similar posts in
other community service programs.
Language Link Service Project
Seneca Nation of Indians
In New York, the Seneca Nation of Indians, through their Language Link project, seeks to show how
National Service can help to revitalize and perserve the Seneca language and culture. Tribal elders serve
as mentors and teachers to young adult participants, who, in turn, provide needed health assistance and
companionship. The model serves as a bridge between the generations, engaging both elders and youth
in community building.
Urban Schools Service Corps
New Jersey
In the spirit of creating "One New Jersey", the Commission will support the unification of cities and
suburbs through the Urban Schools Service Corps. The model will integrate national service into the
urban school reform efforts of New Jersey. Full-time participants will work in some of the state's poorest
urban schools to help transform them into community centers, that will address the needs of both
students and their families with activities that include after-school safe-havens and family literacy
programs.
Models currently being developed:
The Border Volunteer Corps
Arizona
With Commission support, the State of Arizona will plan and develop the Border Volunteer Corps (BVC),
an environmental and community development initiative along the U.S.-Mexico border. In what
planners call a "Border Peace Corps," the program will place participants in public and private non-profit
community-based organizations devoted to improving the living conditions throughout the border
region. The BVC plans to begin initial operations in Arizona next Spring and then eventually expand to
include all four border states in a cooperative multi-state program.
The Blackfeet Public Safety Corps
Blackfeet Tribe
The Blackfeet Tribe of Montana will develop a public safety model focused on emergency medical
services and public safety education throughout the 1.5 million-acre Blackfeet reservation. Similar to the
Kansas model, the program will integrate participants into the existing emergency medical system to
provide needed emergency medical services and to provice public health and safety education:
Michigan CARES
Michigan
With Commission support, the State of Michigan will further develop its regionally-based national
service model, Michigan CARES (Communities Accessing Resources to Engage in Service). Regional
teams of program developers will assist local community service action teams in developing service
initiatives. Statewide coordination will ensure consistent quality standards, while community-based
needs assessment and program planning will ensure local responsiveness and ownership.
City Volunteer Corps
New York
With Commission support, New York's City Volunteer Corps will implement and evaluate a Community
Leadership Program to supplement the existing corps program. Through an enhanced service learning
curriculum, CVC will recruit and place a diverse cadre of young leaders on the front line of assessing
community needs, identifying resources, planning projects, and providing services throughout the
greater New York City area.
Northwest Service Academy
Oregon/Washington
In an effort to address the needs of Pacific Northwest communities adversely affected by the declining
timber industry, the states of Oregon and Washington, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service will
plan and implement the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA). The Academy will consist of a residential
and non-residential leadership training program to engage diverse young people in addressing the needs
of Northwest communities, ranging from environmental to school-based initiatives.
ISTA
SUMMER ASSOCIATES
Washington, D.C. 20525
The VISTA Summer Associates Program
VISTA proudly sponsored its 1993 VISTA Summer Associates Program as part of President Clinton's Summer
of Service. Seven hundred VISTA Summer Associates, mostly age 18 to 25, served alongside full-year VISTA
volunteers at 33 programs in poor communities around the country. They addressed the needs of high risk children
and their families, and as their local sponsoring organizations report, they made a tremendous contribution to their
communities.
The VISTA Summer Associates addressed wide-ranging health, educational, environmental and public safety
needs. They helped victims of Hurricane Andrew rebuild homes and establish services for children. They worked
in public housing projects, creating and running educational programs and activities for youngsters, alternatives to
drugs and violence. As literacy tutors, they taught hundreds of adults and children to read. In Texas alone, VISTA
Associates arranged for the immunization of tens of thousands low-income children. Associates worked with people
in shelters and emergency housing, providing respite for parents and educational and recreational programs for their
kids. In Philadelphia, they weatherized homes of low-income families. In Greenville, S.C., they implemented an
intergenerational literacy program, building skills of grandparents, parents and children. In Sacramento, they.
worked with abused youngsters, implemented a summer lunch program for children and helped residents of low-
income housing establish drug-free zones at their apartment complexes. Everywhere they served VISTA Associates
brought change.
By serving with grassroots organizations, VISTA Summer Associates learned first-hand how each individual
can make a difference. They also made lifelong friends working in neighborhoods they had often seen from a
distance but never entered. As one volunteer said, "I have developed friendships with amazing children and
dedicated parents my eyes have opened to the realities of life." With a new appreciation of their communities and
enriched understanding of people's needs, many VISTA Associates this summer began a lifetime of service. They
are a network of committed young Americans, proud to be part of President Clinton's vision of national service--
young people who believe that in helping others succeed they gained as much as they gave.
VISTA
Founded in 1964 to help poor Americans gain self-reliance, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) has
provided 100,000 Americans to public agencies and nonprofit organizations which serve low-income communities
around the nation. In nearly three decades of national service, VISTA has helped 12,000 local organizations bring
change to poor communities.
VISTA volunteers, men and women age 18 or older, serve full-time for at least one year at projects developed
by sponsoring organizations. They work on programs to build or rehabilitate housing, assist rural agricultural
cooperatives, bring clean water systems to poverty communities, increase employment opportunities, expand
community literacy efforts, bring health care to urban and rural children--in short, VISTA volunteers serve the full
range of local programs that address poverty.
VISTA volunteers helped build America's community literacy programs. They developed and sustain food
banks, homeless shelters, immunization programs, waste water systems, domestic violence shelters, education and
training programs for teen parents and high risk youth. VISTA volunteers helped found the first community
development credit unions and rural health care centers.
Currently, more than 3,700 VISTA volunteers are serving at 815 local projects in poverty communities.
Volunteers receive a modest subsistence allowance and a monthly stipend of $95 which is paid upon completion of
service. VISTA volunteers are recruited locally, regionally and on a national basis. They come from all
backgrounds. VISTA sponsoring organizations recruit area residents as volunteers, providing local expertise.
Sponsors also ask VISTA to refer volunteers with particular training or skills. No volunteer is assigned without
approval of the local sponsor.
VISTA volunteers created thousands of successful, locally run programs that are at the heart of service to low-
income Americans, and VISTA continues to extend its legacy of local self-reliance and community-based change.
VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America)
THE NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT OF 1993:
From Vision to Reality
When he announced his candidacy for President, Bill Clinton outlined a vision of a
"domestic Peace Corps," in which young Americans would serve our country and earn
money for college in return. At his Inaugural, the President called on Americans to join
together in "seasons of service." Then in March and May speeches at Rutgers University and
the University of New Orleans, the President laid out the details of national service
legislation. House and Senate Committees reported out the President's bill with bipartisan
support in June. Now, less than eight months after the Inaugural, the National and
Community Service Act is poised to become the law of the land.
The service initiative is new public policy founded on the oldest American values:
opportunity, responsibility, and community. The legislation embodies principles of
"reinventing government" -- relying on communities instead of bureaucracies to develop
programs, stimulating competition for funds rather than offering block grants, and requiring
measurable performance in meeting unmet needs. But national service's central principle is
the old American idea that by working together, we can improve our lives, bridge our
differences, and lift up our nation.
The specific provisions of the final legislation are the same in every major detail as
the legislation that the President proposed. The service program will:
Create a new Corporation for National and Community Service that combines two existing
agencies and allows new employees to be hired through a flexible, merit-based process.
Enable Americans to earn an educational award of nearly $5000 for each term of service,
in addition to a small stipend and basic benefits.
Make information about service programs widely available to Americans while leaving
recruitment at the local level.
Require measurable results in meeting clear needs: immunizing infants, tutoring children
at risk, cleaning up national parks, fighting crime, and so on.
o Enable 100,000 Americans to serve our country and pay for school over the next three
years.
Congress has acted quickly on the legislation -- three months from introduction to
near final passage. And the program enjoyed strong bipartisan support. A majority of Senate
Committee Republicans voted favorably to report out the initiative, and in the end 26 House
and 7 Senate Republicans supported the legislation. The final conference version of the
National and Community Service Trust Act passed the House on August 6. The Senate is
expected to vote on the measure soon after returning from the August recess.
Newsday
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
SUFFOLK
40e
Worked Up
Students from Atlanta
AT,
CR
at rally to kick off a
CONSERV
week's training in San
Francisco
CORPS
CLARK
INIV
AP Photo
Enthusiastic Rally as 1,500 Begin Trial Run
Of Clinton's National Service Program / Page 5
NEWSDAY
June 21, 1993
Ready to Serve
1,500 cheering youths kick off U.S. volunteer program
By Jane Meredith Adams
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
ASTERN
San Francisco - A wildly en-
thusiastic crowd of nearly 1.500
young people from around the
country - hailing from places as
diverse as Los Angeles, a Minne-
sota American Indian reserva-
tion and Harlem - launched
President Bill Clinton's Summer
of Service program in an outdoor
rally vesterday, vowing to re-
build their communities and the
nation.
Their enthusiasm for improv-
ing the country and themselves
as part of Clinton's ambitious
national service program was so
strong that during the opening
day ceremony on Treasure Ls-
land naval base. many danced,
cheered and waved their fists.
Participants from the Harlem
Freedom Schools Project broke
into a chant: "We're fired up!
We can't take it anymore!"
"You better be fired up," an-
swered Warren Furutani, a Los
Angeles community activist who
was addressing the group. "It
won't be easy.
After a week of training on
Treasure Island, participants
will return to work in their com-
munities for eight weeks in ex-
change for minimum wage and a
$1,000 education voucher.
Summer of Service, which has
been likened to a domestic Peace
Corps. IS a $9-million trial run of
San
Prenders
/
Ward
the president's national service
initiative. which cleared two key
Service volunteers from New York City cheer as they are introduced on the opening day of their training program
committees in the House and
Senate last week. Like Summer of Service, the na-
House Education and Labor Committee who opposes
discovering that summer in San Francisco means a
tional service program is designed to channel work-
the bill, said: "We have no right to be establishing a
blanket of fog.
ers into existing projects in their own communities.
program, whatever its merits, that is going to have
"It's cold," said Pablo Quinones, 19, of Harlem.
"I'm from a low-income community.' said Camille
multiple billions of dollars in costs."
Although the spirit of the Peace Corps and 1960s
McKinnon. 23. who was raised in the South Bronx
All who participate in the national service initiative
idealism was invoked, this gathering had many 1990s
and now attends the College of New Rochelle. "I
also would receive minimum wage, health benefits
touches. The crowd was ethnically diverse. and some
know what it's like to feel you re not worth anything.
and child care service.
people gave their pep rally cheers in Spanish and Eng-
[ know [ can make it. I want to give them hope.
Among the participants in the Summer of Service
lish. All the participants wore white Gap sweatshirts
But critics of the national service initiative have
pilot are 150 people from New York City and 200 from
with the Summer of Service sunrise logo - an emblem
balked at its $379-million price tag for the first year
the Newark area who will work for minimum wage
of the private-public partnerships the program seeks
- in which 15,000 people of all ages could participate
performing tasks such as tutoring schoolchildren in
to form. And when Rear Adm. Merrill Ruck was intro-
and receive as much as $5,000 in education vouchers
reading and writing, inspecting apartments for lead
duced as the man hosting the group on Treasure Is-
for their service work. By the fourth year. as many as
paint and giving swimming lessons.
land, he received boisterous applause.
150.000 people would be enrolled in the program at a
As this first group of service corps members, aged
"We've been called apathetic," said Pia Infante. a
cost critics estimate at $3.4 billion.
17 to 25, rallied. many were coping with the double
sophomore at the University of California at Berke-
Rep. Marge Roukema (R-N.J.). a member of the
shock of being away from home for the first time and
ley, who spoke to the group. "Give me a break"
LA Times
Tuesday, June 22
Page B1
Vice President reaches out to shake hands with some of the 1,500 trainees who started President's program Monday.
Caring Is Part of This Summer Job
National service: 'Building Up' program
this summer.
As part of the 9½-week project. the young adults. ages 18 to
puts young people into needy communities.
25. will tutor schoolchildren. help health care professionals
immunize children. plant gardens at elementary schools and
Participants get $4.25 an hour and a $1,000
lead crime prevention seminars. They will be paid $4.25 per
scholarship.
hour for community service work and be awarded a $1.000
stipend toward college at the end of their service.
Launched last week at USC. the participants got to wet their
By ANTHONY DUIGNAN-CABRERA
feet with a two-day orientation. The participants then were
TIMES STAFF WRITER
sent into the neighborhoods surrounding USC on an observa-
Standing near Figueroa and Exposition boulevards. Jose
tion walk. Their assignment: Identify and take mental notes of
Jacobo-"Quest" to his friends-looked back at the manicured
things that the community's residents might want to change
lawns and graffiti-free buildings of the USC campus.
and look for resources that could be salvaged and utilized. And
"This is where we step out into the community." he said.
most important. keep to the map provided by the organizers to
nodding eastward toward garbage and graffiti. barren lots and
make sure that none of them get lost.
closed storefronts. "And we're going to see a great difference."
Along with USC and Cal State Los Angeles. three other
universities and colleges. 29 community organizations and
But for Jacobo and his three companions. viewing the urban
more than 20 secondary and elementary schools are involved in
decay was more than just a reminder of racial and economic
the project this summer.
injustice. It was an inventory of the area's opportunities for
Building Up was one of 16 community service projects
improvement and a way to earn some money for college this
selected from the 430 proposals submitted in March by agencies
fall.
and colleges nationwide in response to the Clinton Administra-
Jacobo. 22. is one of 150 young people participating in
tion's call for national service suggestions.
"Building Up: Summer of Service in Los Angeles." a project
"By the time they're through. they will have reached 20,000
organized by a coalition of educational and community-based
kids." said Richard Cone. director of USC's Joint Educational
organizations that is part of President Clinton's national service
Project. which is coordinating the university's participation.
program. It is one of two such programs based in Los Angeles
Please see SERVICE. B4
SERVICE: Jobs That Aid Others
Continued from B1
Participants will work a 40-hour
week and receive the scholarship
at the end of their tenure. Cone
said.
They will spend eight hours a
week in a leadership training pro-
gram and the other 32 doing com-
munity work.
"I had a choice between coming
here and going to summer school."
Jacobo said. "But the more I read
about (Building Upl. the more in-
terested I got.
Under the guidance of 20-year-
old Grace Ramirez. the team's
leader for the observation walk.
Jacobo. Marisela Limon. 18. and
Isaac Avila. 20. set off on the
two-mile trek armed with a Manila
envelope full of instructions and a
pragmatic outlook on the summer.
My dad's unemployed right
now and my mom doesn't work and
I needed money for college." said
Limon. who plans to attend East
Los Angeles College in the fall.
But It IS not just a summer job.
Quest said. For a majority of the
young people involved in the proj-
ect. there IS the desire to take the
city's problems into their own
hands.
"If we all get together. we can
see the problem (and try to] fix it.
because putting out more cops and
putting more people in jail ain't
MICHAEL EDWARDS / Los Angeles Times
going to do IL." Quest said.
Motivational speaker Terry Timman. center, leads community service
For Cone. Building Up is more
participants in a pep ratly before they begin their assignments.
than just a way for students to earn
much-needed college funds. It is an
"attempt to break down the Bal-
us come from different back-
rily by the UCLA School of Nurs-
kanization of Los Angeles." a way
grounds."
ing. Fifty minority high school and
to help many of these young people
After the two-day orientation.
college students have been recruit-
and the organizations involved get
ed to conduct medical assessments
acquainted with people and parts of
participants in all 16 of the coun-
of at least 1.000 at-risk children at
the city they have never seen.
try's Summer of Service pro-
clinics and residences. The infor- .
"We share the same problems. so
grams-a total of 1.500 young peo-
we should try to use our resources
ple-were flown to San Francisco
mation they gather will help the
to work together." Cone said.
for a five-day "boot camp" exper-
university understand what barri-
ence at the Treasure Island Naval
ers prevent these children from
Stopping at the front entrance to
Base. On Monday. Vice President
getting quality health care.
Menio Avenue Elementary for
AI Gore addressed the participants.
"Only four of the programs are
their lunch break. the group was
joined by Anna Ouroumian. 22. a
likening the summer service pro-
west of the Mississippi." said Cone.
grams to the Peace Corp and other
who pointed out that the East
UCLA senior majoring in econom-
public service programs.
Coast bias in the selection of the
ICS.
Unable to participate in the walk
Other projects receiving grants
summer service projects might re-
because of an astronomy final.
are in Atlanta. Baltimore. Oak-
flect an attitude that "LA. can't
Ouroumian raced over as soon as
land/East Bay. New Orleans.
work."
she finished. eager to be involved.
Newark. N.J., New York City.
"That's the kind of feedback we
"I have never been in this neigh-
Philadelphia. Delaware. Ohio and
get from our colleagues back east."
borhood." Ouroumian said. "I want
Minnesota.
Cone said. "And sometimes we
to help because I believe there's so
The other local program. "It's
think it can't. but that's the chal-
much potential." shersaid. "All of
About Health." is being run prima-
lenge we must face."
THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION
Wednesday, August 4, 1993
"I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a season of service: to act on your idealism by
helping troubled children, keeping company with those in need, reconnecting torn communities."
PRESIDENT CLINTON,
Lamar Harris
teaches Col-
JAN. 20, 1993
lege Park Ele-
mentary stu-
dents some
Some teens
dance moves
during rehearsal
for a play.
spend summer
serving others
Kim Nguyen
assists refugee
By Kris Worrell
children with
STAFF WRITER
a computer
Lamar Harris bounds across the College Park Ele-
program that
mentary School stage, his muscular. 5-foot-10-inch
helps them be-
frame gracefully demonstrating the five ballet po-
come profi-
sitions.
cient in English.
A group of students - all girls save for one brave,
taunted boy - slowly stop giggling and watch in
wonder.
Mr. Harris is spending his summer convincing kids
that it's better to dance than dodge bullets.
He should know. The 19-year-old ex-football player
was shot in the back in a gang fight outside a Krystal's in
College Park. He was in the 10th grade at the time.
He left the gang and went on to graduate from Tri-
Cities High School in East Point. Now headed for Geor-
gia Southern University this fall, Mr. Harris is mentor-
ing children as part of Summer of Service. a community
service program based on President Clinton's National
Service plan.
A trimmed-down version of the President's National
Service Trust Act passed the Senate on a 58-41 vote
Tuesday that forced the original five-year plan to be
sharply reduced to a three-year plan, at an estimated
cost of $1.5 billion. Negotiators now must reconcile it
with a somewhat broader House version.
"I felt kind of obligated to lead kids on a different
path than I had," says Mr. Harris, a serious, burly teen
who, during rehearsals for a school play, manages to
gently teach dance moves to students without losing an
ounce of his toughness. "I've had kids come. fifth-grad-
ers, [who] say 'I want to get out of a gang, how do I do
that?'
Somebody has to help them."
Mr. Harris is one of 1,475 young Americans - in-
cluding 100 young people in Atlanta - who have re-
sponded to the call for service. Under the Summer of
Service program, young people ages 17 to 25 work with
underprivileged children through organizations in 16
urban sites around the country, including two in At-
lanta:
Hands On Atlanta works with 50 service partici-
pants at College Park Elementary. They assist teachers
in the classroom and teach students everything from
finger painting to soccer in after-school programs. The
school, on a year-round schedule, opened its doors to
students on July 19 after a six-week break.
Greater Atlanta Conservation Corps. along with
Clark Atlanta University, has 10 teams of five young
Photographs by JIRO OSE/Stan
Please see SERVICE. B8
B8
Wednesday, August 4, 1993
LIVING
The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution
Service: 500 applications for 25 spots
Continued from BI
people each spread throughout
the community, teaching chil-
dren how to say no to gangs, work
out compromises with their par-
ents and walk away from con-
frontations. Other groups edu-
cate refugee children and teach
disadvantaged preschoolers the
skills they'll need to get through
kindergarten successfully.
Participants are paid mini-
mum wage - $4.25 an hour -
and receive $1,000 scholarships
at summer's end for college or
technical schools.
Summer of Service also pro-
vides funding for 750 VISTA
Summer Associates and 1,100
additional members of the exist-
ing Youth Corps - 3,325 partici-
pants in total. The cost per mem-
ber is $3,198.
"Obviously there are plenty
of young people willing to serve,
roll up their sleeves and do what-
eyer it takes," says Karen Wood,
executive director of the Greater
Atlanta Conservation Corps.
Ms. Wood says the corps re-
JIRO OSE/Staff
ceived about 500 applications
College Park Elementary student Wykeshia Holloway (right) is surprised by the art she
from around the country for 25
spots. Participants were chosen
created with the help of Maria Goldwasser (left), a Summer of Service program volunteer.
en the basis of interviews, expe-
gee children learn to spell in
rience with children and previ-
English through a computer
ous volunteer work.
SUMMER OF SERVICE
program.
That positive response was
"This is a first step. We can
echoed around the country, espe-
1,475 young people, ages 17 to 25. are participating.
get them ready for school," says
rially after the president's
Program ends Aug. 20. It began June 19 with a national leadership train-
Mr. Shula, a graduate of Clark-
speech at Rutgers University on
ing week at Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco.
ston High School who fled Af-
March 1 in which he called
Budget: $10.6 million.
ghanistan in 1984 with his family
young people to action. The
Members work nine weeks for minimum wage, then receive $1,000 to
by hiding under rice crops being
White House Office of National
pay off student loans or apply toward college or technical school.
Service received more than 6,000
Members work with community service organizations in one of 16 ur-
transported over the border in
ban sites around the country. In Atlanta, they work with Hands On Atlanta
trucks.
letters in the days following the
address, officials said.
and Greater Atlanta Conservation Corps in conjunction with Clark Atlanta
Kim Nguyen, 19, a senior at
University.
Towers High School, thinks hav-
A.T. Bostic, 20, a senior at
ing African-American children
Morehouse College who's work-
work and play with Somalis,
Ing as a teaching aide at College
Park Elementary, thinks the
ing up and renovating the school
males "because you don't see a
Vietnamese, Cambodians and
grounds and the Lottie Miller
lot of males [teaching] in ele-
other refugee children helps
country can't afford not to have
Homes, a nearby public housing
mentary schools," says fifth-
build harmony.
such youth service full time.
"I think that's the major flaw
authority complex where most of
grade teacher Lola Thornton.
"Before I came here, they
of the program - come Aug. 21
the students live.
"[Students] respect them.
were always fighting, not playing
SOS participants will spend
They see them as big brothers."
together," she says. "Vietnamese
we all leave," says the psycholo-
the last part of the summer work-
At the World Relief center in
didn't want to play with black
gy major. "It would be better to
ing one-on-one with students
Clarkston, Jimmy Shula, 19,
children. But when we work with
be here year-round."
who often don't get as much at-
works with the Greater Atlanta
them, they join hands together. I
"Who wouldn't want to do
tention as they need.
Conservation Corps to help refu-
think it's important."
this?" asks Tracy Casteel, 20, a
"The benefits are that at least
student at Agnes Scott College.
I can have 5-to-1 [student-teach-
"It's very costly, but if you think
er ratio] whereas if it was just me
about how [in other ways] the
it would be 1 on 21," says Mea-
government is misusing funds -
trice Maize, a third-grade teach-
this is benefiting the commu-
er who has two service partici-
nity."
pants and a part-time teaching
Ms. Casteel and the other 49
assistant.
participants working at College
Park Elementary spent several
Each fifth-grade classroom
weeks earlier this summer clean-
has three service members - all
San Jose Mercury News
Monday, August 2, 1993
On 'the front lines of change'
SUMMER SERVICE
PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD HERNANDEZ - MERCURY NEWS
Eric Fry looks up to Adam Grant, a college student working in the national service pilot program at a children's center in Oakland.
Summer of enlightenment
for 1,500 college students
BY DENNIS AKIZUKI
Alto.
Mercury News Staff Writer
Deborah Kim, Adam Grant and
They come from different
backgrounds but are bound to-
Ayeola Alexander are among the
gether this summer by President
1,500 college students nation-
Clinton's vision - a daughter of
wide participating in Summer of
Service, the president's pilot pro-
Korean immigrants who grew up
in Palo Alto, a white prep-school
gram for a proposed national ser-
vice in which students perform
graduate who is the son of a
Deborah Kim sings along with Tabario Council and other
computer company founder, a
community work to earn money
children at the Golden Gate Child Development Center.
black woman from East Palo
See SERVICE, Back Page
Summer
of Service
enlightens
students
SERVICE
from Page 1A
for college. The $1.5 billion,
three-year program is up for a
vote Tuesday in the U.S. Senate.
After plenty of initial hype and
media coverage, the program that
is considered a domestic version
of the Peace Corps has slipped
quietly into the nitty-gritty.
The 250 students involved in
the Bay Area are immersed in
daily work at a dozen health, edu-
cation and environmental pro-
jects in Oakland, Berkeley and
East Palo Alto. Among the pro-
RICHARD HERNANDEZ MERCURY NEWS
jects are the Oakland Homeless
Families Program, East Bay
Ayeola Alexander tutors Messina Wattley, 11, on multiplication tables at Shule Mandela Academy.
Asian Youth Center, American In-
dian Child Resource Center, Stan-
rides the bus to and from the
my life," said Alexander, who
a vegetarian." If he had a choice,
ford Upward Bound Program and
center.
sees the program as another as-
Grant said, he'd plan a trip to a
East Palo Alto Center for Tech-
Across the bay in East Palo
pect of her personal commitment
community garden or a farmers
nology.
Alto, there is no such breaking-in
to help East Palo Alto. After
market.
The students are laboring to
period for Alexander. She is
working at her Summer of Ser-
Despite the minor philosophical
reconcile their hopes and dreams
working on her home turf and
vice job, she sometimes tutors
dilemma, Grant is enthusiastic
of helping rebuild urban commu-
knows the parents of the students
neighborhood children in algebra.
about being in the first group of
nities with the often-harsh reali-
at the alternative Shule (the Swa-
In exchange for their communi-
Summer of Service volunteers.
ties of life in inner cities. For
hili word for school) Mandela
ty work, students earn minimum
Clinton is proposing a four-year,
many students and even the chil-
wage of $4.50 an hour plus
$7.4-billion service program that
Academy.
dren they are helping, the experi-
The outspoken 19-year-old said
$1,000 college scholarships. They
would involve 100,000 students.
ment in inner-city revitalization
if it is to be successful, the pro-
aren't doing the job for the mon-
'Almost like a partnership'
already has been eye-opening.
gram must aim for lasting change,
ey. Some of. them turned down
When Kim started her summer
not cosmetic fixes.
well-paying corporate jobs in fa-
"I feel it's cutting edge," Grant
job at a north Oakland child-de-
"We don't want to paint and
vor of community service.
said. "It's almost like being in the
velopment center, a preschooler
pick up glass and two weeks lat-
Kim could have lived at home
front lines of change in education
walked up and posed a question
er, it's (back to) the same as be-
this summer and worked at her
and rebuilding communities."
reflecting her innocence and na-
fore," said Alexander, who will
parents' Palo Alto restaurant for
The north Oakland center
ivete: "Are you black?"
higher pay. But the Summer of
serves about 110 children ages 3
enter her sophomore year at
No, the UC-Berkeley psycholo-
Hampton University in Virginia.
Service job will give her valuable
to 8, almost all of whom are
gy major answered - she's Kore-
"We need to educate, teach and
experience for her planned career
black. Grant's goal is to "instill an
in teaching, she said.
environmental ethic in the kids"
an-American.
then leave."
That introduction to life where
Alexander sought to do precise-
by teaching them about recycling
Breaking down barriers
some children don't have much
ly that one day when she drilled
and composting and helping them
contact with other ethnic groups
11-year-old Messina Wattley in
A recent field trip involving
plant a garden.
gave Kim an idea - she hopes to
the multiplication tables at the
children from the Golden Gate
Usually the summertime work-
create a multicultural lesson that
academy, which operates out of a
Child Development Center in
ers at Shule Mandela and Golden
will broaden the children's
dilapidated house on a bumpy
north Oakland highlighted how
Gate require training and super-
knowledge of other minority
road.
the program is bringing people of
vision. That's not the case with
groups.
varying backgrounds together.
the Summer of Service students.
'Never say you can't'
Kim had expected the Golden
Grant, a 6-foot-2, 23-year-old
"The difference is they're
Gate Child Development Center
When Messina was stumped
graduate of the University of Cal-
self-starters; they take a lot of
- run by Oakland schools - to
and said she couldn't remember
ifornia, Berkeley who is assigned
initiative," said Diane Yee, site
be rundown and the children dis-
the answer, Alexander looked her
to the center with Kim, held the
administrator at Golden Gate.
advantaged. She discovered the
in the eye. "Yes, you can," she
hand of a preschooler half his
Nobantu Ankoanda, executive
center is clean, organized and
said. "Never say you can't.
I
height as a procession of 14 black
director at Shule Mandela,
well-run.
want you to (answer) boom,
children, two black staff mem-
agreed: "It's the kind of help you
boom, boom, boom. That's my ob-
bers and one parent waiked to
need and you can use."
Rides bus to center
jective."
visit a nearby McDonald's.
Students assigned to Shule
And the children, she said, are
Later, Alexander easily slid
As they approached the restau-
Mandela and Golden Gate sing the
"very motivated. They're very
into another task - heating a
rant, some children began to
praises of the administrators.
energetic and very smart."
cup of instant noodles for a
chant "McDonald's, McDonald's."
"They're very open to our ide-
Her parents were concerned
child's lunch.
Grant quietly said he had mixed
as," Grant said. "It's not just col-
about their daughter's safety, but
"The fact it's here in my com-
feelings about the field trip.
lating papers.
They want to
publicity about the program has
munity makes it more meaningful
The children clearly relished
hear our ideas and work with us,
eased their fears. In fact. Kim
for me. I've seen these people all
the tour, but Grant confided. "I'm
almost like a partnership."
San Francisco Chronicle
EDITORIALS
Summer Triumph
MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1993
By Volunteers
happen often, but once in a
not only does some-
thing right but performs magnificently. The
newly completed Summer of Service program
in which youthful volunteers worked directly
with children in need of help was a success by
any measure.
It also holds a promise for the future.
"This program has been the biggest motiva-
tor of my life," 18-
year-old volunteer Lil-
"This has
iana Moncada told
been the
Chronicle staff writer
William Carlsen. Mon-
biggest
cada, a student at La-
ney College in Oak-
motivation
land, spent the
summer with children
of my life'
afflicted with cere-
bral palsy and Down's
syndrome.
Other volunteers helped teach bilingual
children learn to read, assisted low-income teen-
agers prepare for college and brought health
services to neglected youngsters.
Carlsen met with a substantial share of the
volunteers who worked with disadvantaged
children for eight weeks in Oakland, Berkeley
and East Palo Alto and found success stories
wherever he went. Even a few who found them-
selves assigned to "busy" work in the office
when they reported to social agencies swiftly
broke free and went to deal directly with kids.
SOME SKEPTICS in Congress question
whether the goodwill of bright young people
can be channeled effectively in a skeptical age
and whether, in any case, it is a sensible invest-
ment to hire them for the minimum wage of
$4.25 an hour plus the $1,000 each received to-
ward a college scholarship.
The answer is that the results achieved by
the 250 volunteers in the Bay Area and the 1,250
elsewhere in the United States were a resound-
ing success. When the program goes on a year-
round basis, the number is expected to grow
within a few years to 100,000.
For many, a summer's or a year's service to
the community will be only the beginning. The
children who receive help from the volunteers
and the young people who provide it will both
be enriched.
so WILL the nation, when the lives of
many young people are changed for the better.