National Volunteer Week, 1996

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Part IV

The President

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Proclamation 6885--National Volunteer Week, 1996

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 6885 of April 17, 1996

National Volunteer Week, 1996

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The history of America is a history of volunteerism.
Our people have always worked together to resolve
concerns, to fight injustice, to rebuild communities,
and to comfort those in need. And though some regard
today's society with cynicism and doubt, we need only
look to the more than 89.2 million volunteers who work
tirelessly throughout the year to see that we are still
a people who care for one another and who daily seek
positive change by reaching out to others.

We owe a great debt to the many volunteers who work to
stem the tides of poverty, hunger, homelessness, crime,
and abuse. Examples of unsung heroes exist in every
neighborhood--a mother starts an after-school program
in her garage to tutor young people in a crime-ridden
area; a group of teenagers takes youngsters from a
local shelter to the movies or a cultural event a few
times a month; an elderly man looks after his
neighbor's children so that she can run errands; a
family makes regular visits to seniors at a local home.
Citizens from all walks of life are working together to
claim our Nation's challenges as their own, building
bridges among people and setting a powerful example of
leadership and compassion.

This week and throughout the year, let us salute all
those who devote their time, their talents, and
sometimes even their lives to the betterment of our
communities. And let us recognize organizations like
the Corporation for National and Community Service and
the Points of Light Foundation that foster the spirit
of service across America. In partnership with
government, schools, and religious communities, these
caring individuals and groups are expanding and
encouraging the great American legacy of volunteerism.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim April 21 through April 27,
1996, as National Volunteer Week. I call upon all
Americans to observe this week with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities to express
appreciation for volunteers and to encourage volunteer
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twentieth.