President George W. Bush will meet Julian Renteria, a local banker who volunteers by sharing his business experience and knowledge with Los Angeles youth. Upon his arrival in Los Angeles, California, Monday, April 29th, the President will recognize Renteria as an example of the dedication to service  he is hoping to instill in all Americans. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—in service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing men and women from around the country who are answering the call to service as part of his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Renteria has a long history of working with elementary and high school students. He currently volunteers as a "Banker-Teacher" through the Banking on Our Future program. Directed by Operation HOPE, Inc., a nonprofit investment banking organization founded in 1992 in Los Angeles to revitalize and service inner-city communities, the Banking on Our Future program brings trained banking professionals to volunteer in classrooms around the Los Angeles area and in several other cities. Renteria leads learning sessions with groups of 20 to 25 students in Los Angeles high school and elementary school classrooms, teaching them the basics of banking, checking, savings, credit, and investment.

Renteria has taught up to twenty sessions a year to young people since 2000, and in 2001 Operation HOPE selected him as their Banker-Teacher of the year. Renteria has also been recognized by the Junior Achievement organization in San Diego for his work volunteering to help young people there learn about economics and free enterprise education.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find information on the USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-Corps.

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