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We are especially pleased to have two covery efforts, has been spending millions of broadcast giants with us today—first, Tim dollars to provide shelter and food for the McCarver, FOX; all-star catcher, 19—on the evacuees and to help with the clean-up ef- 1964 Cardinal World Series team; awesome forts. Yet, charitable contributions have not guy. And with him, from FOX and Friends, kept pace with their expenses, and I hope Brian Kilmeade. our fellow citizens will support the Red I don’t think we could have had a better Cross, particularly as Hurricanes Ike and broadcast team for this, the final game for other storms develop over the gulf coast. You tee-ball on the South Lawn. I do want to can help by going to the Red Cross’s web thank all the Little League staff members site, redcross.org, and make a vital contribu- who have been working with us since 2001— tion to help our fellow citizens. Lance Van Auken, Mac McGlothlin, and I appreciate the fact that those here rep- Katie [Kathie] * Rosenberg. Appreciate your resent the hundreds of thousands of our citi- steadfast support. zens who answered the call to love a neighbor And now, before we begin the game—I like we’d like to be loved ourselves. I appre- know anticipation is rising here—we will ciate the fact that you and others lift up souls, have the Little League Pledge. Are the play- one person at a time. You strengthen the ers ready? You are ready? You repeat after foundation of our democracy, which is the me. engagement of our people. I want to thank [At this point, the pledge was recited.] you for what you do. God bless you and wel- Play ball! come. I thank Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, De- NOTE: The President spoke at 4 p.m. on the South partment of the Interior, and Patricia, who Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he re- have joined us. Secretary of Commerce Car- ferred to Jeannemarie A. Devolites-Davis, wife of los Gutierrez; Secretary of Transportation Representative Tom Davis of Virginia; Lance Van Auken, senior communication executive, and Mac Mary Peters; Congresswoman Carolyn McGlothlin, maintenance supervisor, Little McCarthy—welcome Madame Congress- League International; and Kathie Rosenberg, who woman—thanks for coming. I appreciate Ste- performed as Dugout, mascot of Little League phen Goldsmith, the Chairman of the Cor- International. The transcript was released by the poration for National and Community Serv- Office of the Press Secretary on September 8. ice; Jack Hawkins, Director of Volunteers for Prosperity; Ron Tschetter, who is the Direc- Remarks on Voluntarism tor of the Peace Corps—[applause]—I knew that was coming—[laughter]—Jean Case, the September 8, 2008 Chairman of the President’s Council on Serv- Thank you all. Please be seated. Welcome ice and Civic Participation; and members of to the south ground of the White House. It that council. is a joy to be here with members of the ar- I appreciate my buddy Michael W. Smith, mies of compassion. I’m really glad you’re who is going to play a couple of songs for here. I appreciate your inspiration to our fel- us here, and his wife, Debbie. I want to thank low citizens. I believe you are a constant re- student and school administrators and board minder of the true source of our Nation’s members from the LEAGUE that are here strength, which is the good hearts and souls today. These are students from schools all of the American people. across the country. We are glad you are here. We have seen the good hearts of our peo- With us is the 2007 Spirit of Hope Award ple over the last week as caring volunteers recipient. This is the military’s way of hon- have helped their fellow citizens through oring people who have given back to their Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm communities. Giovanni Balingit—Giovanni, Hanna. The Red Cross, which provides a welcome; thank you, sir; congratulations to vital role in helping the relief efforts and re- you. I want to thank all those who are here in the United States military. Thank you for * White House correction. wearing the uniform of the United States.

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And most of all, thanks for coming. I really One way we helped was to launch a web appreciate your taking time out to come by site called volunteer.gov, which is the largest and let me say hello to you. clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities in In my first Inaugural Address, I challenged America. In other words, we used high-tech all Americans to be citizens—not spec- innovations to be able to channel people’s tators—responsible citizens, building com- desire to serve in a constructive way. munities of service and a nation of character. And so, the Government—this Govern- Eight months later, Americans were tested ment web site directs people to private char- by the worst attack on our Nation. In the ities or local churches or Habitat for Human- midst of chaos and sorrow, Americans re- ity drives or Meals on Wheels—just opportu- sponded with the—with characteristic cour- nities to serve their neighbor. We can’t put age and grace. It was a remarkable moment love in somebody’s heart, but we certainly in our country. It really was, when you think can help somebody channel their love. And about it. Rescue workers wrote their Social that was the purpose of the web site. Security numbers on their arms and then And you can search by hometown. They rushed into buildings. Citizens became mem- tell me that if you get on Crawford, Texas, bers of ambulance teams. And people from you’ll find that the local Humane Society all across the country poured into New York leaks—seeks volunteer pet groomers, which City to help. makes Barney really nervous. [Laughter] The terrorists who attacked our country on This is just one of 4 million volunteer op- September the 11th didn’t understand our portunities on the USA Freedom Corps web country at all. Evil may crush concrete and site. Isn’t that interesting? There are 4 mil- twisted steel, but it can never break the spirit of the American people. lion opportunities for somebody who wants In the weeks and months after the attacks, to serve to say, ‘‘Here’s how I can help.’’ And inspiring acts continued to unfold all across so, I urge our fellow citizens to go to the the country. I’m sure you heard the stories, web site and find out if there’s not something just like I did. Men and women of our Armed that’ll interest you, something that’ll give you Forces accepted dangerous new duties, and a chance to serve something greater than a lot of folks stepped forward to volunteer yourself. to protect our fellow citizens. But the desire The USA Freedom Corps fosters a culture to serve reached far beyond the military. Mil- of service by encouraging the private sector lions of Americans were—really wanted to to step forward. We’ve got what we call the help our country recover. Pro Bono Challenge, which is—encourages And so, to tap into that spirit, I called on corporate professionals to donate their serv- every American to spend at least 4,000 ices to charities and nonprofits. That makes hours—or 2 years in the course of a life- a lot of sense, doesn’t it, to encourage cor- time—to serve our Nation through acts of porate America to not only serve their share- compassion. Some said that’s acting—asking holders, but serve the communities in which a lot for the country, and they were right— they exist. and they were right. Two years during a life- One really interesting, innovative idea time is a lot to give. But the truth of the came out of IBM this year. IBM employees matter is, citizens who do give realize that will donate millions of hours of service to they become enriched just like those folks charities in the U.S., as well as technology that they’re helping. projects in developing nations. They tell me To empower Americans looking to help, that this work would cost $250 million if we launched what’s called the USA Freedom IBM’s devoted employees were charging and Corps. The goal of the USA Freedom Corps not providing for free. I want to thank the was to connect Americans with opportunities CEO of IBM, Sam Palmisano, who is with to serve our country, to foster a culture of us today. Sam, thank you very much for com- citizenship and responsibility and service. ing. And I encourage corporate America to Over the last 6 years, the USA Freedom figure out ways that they can serve to make Corps has met these goals. America a better place.

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Another key component of USA Freedom doctors, teachers, engineers, and other Corps is our effort to keep track of Ameri- skilled volunteers. That’s a pretty good start cans’ service to others. I mean, it’s one thing for an important program, it seems like to to talk about it; it’s another thing to measure, me. These men and women save babies from to kind of see how we’re doing. In 2002, this malaria on the continent of Africa. They administration became the first to conduct bring modern information technology to Af- a regular survey of volunteerism through the ghanistan. They live out one of America’s U.S. Census Bureau. Because we’ve strongest beliefs, that to whom much is brought—begun to measure, we know that given, much is required. nearly 61 million Americans now give their One of those people who is a member of time to help their neighbors. Isn’t that inter- this important team is Zach Harvey. He esting? Sixty-one million of our fellow citi- serves on the prosthetics staff at Walter Reed zens volunteer. Army Medical Center. When he isn’t—[ap- We’ve also launched new national pro- plause]—let me finish with old Zach yet. grams and enhanced others to help our citi- [Laughter] When he isn’t busy helping our zens answer the call to service. For example, wounded warriors, he’s putting his skills to we helped Americans answer the call by cre- use in Guatemala and the Dominican Repub- ating the Citizen Corps. [Applause] Sounds lic as a Volunteer for Prosperity. He works like quite a few members have shown up. with pediatric cancer patients who’ve had a [Laughter] And we are glad you’re here. limb amputated as part of their treatment. For those of you who don’t know what the He and his team of volunteers fit the children Citizen Corps is, it’s a way for people to vol- with new limbs, and they pass on their skills unteer to help respond to disasters. This was to other caregivers. set up right after September the 11th. Ameri- He says the only payment he receives is cans have formed community emergency re- the pride that comes with children’s—seeing sponse teams—[applause]—there you go— fire corps, medical reserve corps, neighbor- children walk again. And Zach, we are proud hood watch groups. Today, there are nearly to have you here, and thank you for your 1 million Citizen Corps volunteers nation- service. Zach doesn’t want anybody to look wide. at him—[laughter]—but you can’t help it And one of those volunteers is County when you’re that kind of kind man. Appre- Judge Ed Emmett from Harris County, ciate it. Texas. So, let me tell you about what the By the way, both the Citizen Corps and Citizen Corps of Harris County did. So, Volunteers for Prosperity have been very ef- Katrina hits, there’s about 200,000 gulf coast fective programs. And I really believe Con- residents headed into the Houston area. The gress needs to make these good programs Citizen Corps showed up. Volunteers came permanent. to process evacuees, to help treat the ill and We’ve also helped answer the call to serv- injured, and to help settle storm victims in ice by strengthening AmeriCorps. This is a permanent housing. program that matches dedicated volunteers Here’s what Ed said—I’ve known him for with hundreds of private charitable institu- a long time, by the way—the Judge said: tions. AmeriCorps members sign up for 1- ‘‘That’s just what members of the Citizen year commitments with the idea of strength- Corps do; they take care of their neighbors.’’ ening their communities by teaching adults And Judge, I want to thank you, and all of how to read or improving health care or help- the members of the Citizen Corps nation- ing the homeless put a roof over their heads. wide for taking care of your neighbors. This is a good program that was started by We’ve helped Americans answer the call my predecessor, President Clinton. by creating a program called Volunteers for After 9/11, we tried to make this program Prosperity. This initiative matched skilled more effective, in other words, to help the American professionals with service opportu- dollars allocated go further. Today, more nities, a lot of them in the developing world. than 74,000 people serve their fellow citizens This year, we mobilized more than 43,000 through AmeriCorps. I have met

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AmeriCorps volunteers all over our country, There are other ways to help Americans and they’re very inspiring Americans. answer the call to service. We have got what One such volunteer was—is Emily we call the Faith-Based and Community Ini- Greene. After college, she enlisted in the tiative through which we’ve empowered program to serve with the Schools of Hope Americans to volunteer through their Literacy Project in Madison, Wisconsin. churches and congregations. Through the Schools of Hope, Emily has re- You know, I believe that if a program is cruited hundreds of volunteers to teach chil- successful, government ought to support it. dren how to read. What kind of—what a And I believe if it takes faith to help some— wonderful gift. When somebody says, ‘‘How solve some of the most intractable problems, can I help serve America?,’’ how about teach- government ought not to fear the influence ing a child to read as a lasting contribution of faith in our society, we ought to welcome to the future of our country. the influence of faith in our society. Madison’s public elementary schools are Laura—who is not here, but sends her best improving; the achievement gap is nar- wishes—has rallied thousands of volunteers rowing. And Emily, it must make you feel to help at-risk children through Helping great to leave a lasting contribution. And we America’s Youth Initiative. We’ve encour- are glad you’re here on behalf of aged volunteerism by holding up examples AmeriCorps. Thanks for coming. of our volunteers. You know, to date, 1.1 mil- We’ve also helped others serve by expand- lion Americans have received the President’s ing the Peace Corps. [Applause] So, see, you Volunteer Service Award. That may not seem don’t know what I know: That every time like a big deal to some people, but when you I go to an embassy overseas and I mention get one and you show it to people you’re anything about the Peace Corps, and there working with, they say, ‘‘How do I get one happens to be a Peace Corps contingent— of those?’’ [Laughter] ‘‘What do I need to they give that same kind of yell. [Laughter] Peace Corps volunteers are incredibly moti- do?’’ Well, what you need to do is serve your vated people, and it’s a fabulous program. community by volunteering and help make The number of Peace Corps volunteers somebody’s life better. has increased. We’ve reopened 13—re- Volunteerism is strong in the country. But opened programs in 13 countries. This is a the truth of the matter is, the farther we’ve vital program. There are about 8,000 Peace gotten away from 9/11, that memory has Corps members. They are fighting AIDS in begun to fade. And some are saying, ‘‘Well, Africa, training poor workers to start their maybe I don’t need to volunteer now. Maybe own businesses in Latin America; they’re the crisis has passed.’’ The aftermath of 9/ teaching English to children in Asia. What 11 isn’t nearly as intense as it was. And my they’re doing is they’re showing the rest of call to people is, there’s always a need. You the world the compassionate heart of the should be volunteering not because of 9/11, American citizens. I mean, we are a compas- but you should be volunteering because our sionate nation, and the Peace Corps does a country needs you on a regular basis. fabulous job of advancing that compassion. We can use your help. There are citizens Praya Baruch is with us today. After col- who say, ‘‘I need love.’’ Government can pass lege, Praya spent 2 years in Ghana working law, but it cannot put love into somebody’s with people who are HIV-positive, training heart. Oftentimes that helps when somebody religious leaders to provide community- puts their arm around you and say, ‘‘How based care, and educating young people can I help you, brother or sister? What can about HIV preparation. She is now on the I do to make your life better?’’ staff of the Peace Corps. She represents the And so, today I call upon our fellow citi- 8,000 people who are on the frontlines of zens to devote 4,000 hours over your lifetime helping people deal with some of the more— in service to your country. You’ll become a most difficult problems in the world. Praya, better person for it, and our society will be we are honored you’re here, and I want to more healthy as a result of it. You know, thank the Peace Corps. there’s an old adage that says, you can bring

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hope to the lives of others, but the life you country. And the reason I am is because I’ve enrich the most will probably be your own. seen firsthand the love and the compassion I’ve witnessed the amazing phenomena of and the decency of our fellow citizens. volunteerism throughout my travels in this May God bless you. May God bless the country. At nearly every stop, I make it a armies of compassion. point to meet a local volunteer selected by And now please welcome my buddy Mi- the USA Freedom Corps at the steps of Air chael W. Smith. Force One. After they get over the initial shock of seeing me come off the plane— NOTE: The President spoke at 1:21 p.m. on the [laughter]—I love to ask them what they’re South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Patricia Kempthorne, wife of Sec- doing; what are you doing to make your com- retary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne; and en- munity a better place? tertainer Michael W. Smith. One such volunteer is a young woman I met in Pittsburgh named Kristen Holloway. She started a program called Operation Proclamation 8286—Patriot Day, Troop Appreciation. It started off as kind of 2008 a small program, just an idea, a desire to September 8, 2008 make a statement. Her group collects every- thing from DVDs and phone calls—cards to By the President of the United States musical instruments and sports gear. So far, of America they have sent care packages to more than 40,000 men and women serving in the A Proclamation frontlines in this war against the extremists. September 11, 2001, was etched into In every package—[applause]. America’s memory when 19 terrorists at- Kristen, we’re glad you’re here. Thank you tacked us with barbarity unequaled in our for—by the way, you’re representing a lot of history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the mem- people here in this audience and around the ory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, country who have had—I have had the honor extend our thoughts and prayers to their fam- of meeting as volunteers at the foot of Air ilies, and honor the heroic men and women Force One. who risked and sacrificed their lives so others I want to thank you all for showing up might survive. when I show up. Generally, the weather is Since 9/11, we have recognized the threat nice; sometimes it’s not so nice. But never- posed by terrorists to the safety of the Amer- theless, you’re there with your smiling face, ican people and worked to protect our home- and you inspire me. You really do lift up my land by fighting terrorists abroad. We are spirits, to meet people who are so dedicated confronting terrorism by advancing freedom, that they are willing to take time out of their liberty, and prosperity as an alternative to the lives to help somebody in need. And I hope ideologies of hatred and repression. Our Na- by getting you on the front page of your tion pays tribute to our courageous men and newspapers, that you inspire others to show women in uniform serving around the world up and serve America by volunteering. and the devoted members of our law en- But I want to tell you what the—what a forcement, public safety, and intelligence soldier wrote to Kristen’s group. A soldier communities at home who work night and wrote back after getting one of the packages day to protect us from harm and preserve and said, ‘‘My heart soars with pride to rep- the freedom of this great Nation. resent a country filled with such wonderful Seven years ago, ordinary citizens rose to people as you.’’ That was the thank you note the challenge, united in prayer, and re- that Kristen’s group got. sponded with extraordinary acts of courage, Well, my heart soars with pride as well to with some giving their lives for the country be in the presence of those who are lifting they loved. On Patriot Day, we remember up souls and helping mend hearts. I want all those who were taken from us in an instant to thank you for what you’re doing. I am in- and seek their lasting memorial in a safer and credibly optimistic about the future of our more hopeful world. We must not allow our

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