President Creates Council to Promote Volunteerism

President Bush has created a new President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to encourage Americans to

volunteer and to oversee the development of a new award to recognize volunteer service.

The bipartisan council will design and recommend programs to recognize individuals, schools, and organizations that excel in their efforts to support volunteer service and civic participation.

The council was established within the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Mr. Bush named the first members of the 25-member unpaid council, which will include athletes, entertainers, retired politicians, business and news-media officials, leaders of nonprofit and volunteer-service organizations, and community volunteers.

The new President’s Volunteer Service Award will be made available starting in the spring.

The White House said the award will eventually be given to millions of Americans “who have made a sustained commitment to service over the course of a one-year period.”

Young people can earn an award by serving 50 or more hours in a year, while adults can get it by serving 100 or more hours in a year.

Information about the council and the award may be obtained on the Web site of the White House, http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/.