Also Names Actress, 'Apprentice' Winner, Former NFL Player, and 2001 Miss America to Volunteer Council

Washington, D.C. - President George W. Bush yesterday designated Jean Case, the CEO of the Case Foundation, as Chair of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and appointed four new members -- actress Janine Gauntt Turner of Texas, 2001 Miss America Angela Baraquio Grey of Hawaii, business entrepreneur and "Apprentice" winner Kelly Perdew of California, and former college and professional football star Daniel Wuerffel of Florida.

"We're pleased that the President has made these appointments so that we can continue to strengthen volunteer service in America," said the Council’s Executive Director, Kari Dunn. "This is a critical time for advancing the service agenda, and I am confident that Jean Case and the newest members of the Council will help us expand opportunities for all Americans to serve their communities and country."

Case, a former America Online, Inc., executive who co-founded the Case Foundation with her husband, Steve, has been a strong advocate of service and an active participant in many volunteer and charitable organizations. "I’m pleased to serve with such a distinguished group of leaders to help more Americans make an impact in their communities through service and civic involvement," she said. "I’m confident we can help citizens find meaningful opportunities to increase their involvement, a mission the President has championed for years."

David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, where the Council is housed, said, "Jean Case’s energy, her intellect, and her experience from both the corporate and non-profit sectors will be invaluable as the President’s Council continues to help build momentum for volunteering around the country."

The new appointees join a dynamic group of 21 leaders from a variety of fields in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, including business, entertainment, athletics, education, philanthropy and government. The Council, established by President Bush in January 2003 and renewed last year, is charged with promoting and recognizing the contributions that Americans of all ages and backgrounds are making to their communities through volunteer service.

"President Bush strongly believes that every individual can have a positive, lasting impact on their community. We welcome the leadership of Jean Case as the Council's new Chair and are confident in her ability to mobilize the Council to advance and strengthen volunteer service among Americans," said Desiree T. Sayle, Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush and Director of USA Freedom Corps. "Together with the newest members of the Council, we look forward to advancing the President's call to service."

New Council members include:

Janine GaunttTurner is an American actress best known for her starring role on the television show "Northern Exposure" from 1990 to 1995 and on "General Hospital" from 1982 to 1983. At the age of 15, she left her home in Euless, Texas, to pursue a modeling career with the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency. She began her acting career in 1980, at the age of 18, in an episode of the television series "Dallas." After her breakthrough role in "Northern Exposure," she appeared in a number of films, including "Cliffhanger," "Leave It to Beaver" and "The Night of the White Pants." She is also known for her role as Dr. Dana Stowe on the Lifetime original television series, "Strong Medicine."

Angela Perez Baraquio was an elementary Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director when she won the title of Miss America 2001. During her year of service, she traveled over 20,000 miles a month on a national speaking tour entitled, "Character in the Classroom: Teaching Values, Valuing Teachers." Baraquio is the Founder and President of the Angela Perez Baraquio Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes character education and provides scholarships and grants to students and teachers. In addition to her foundation, Angela is also featured as a Host on the entertainment talk show, "Living Local with the Baraquios," with three of her six sisters. She is active in volunteer work with a number of other non-profit organizations, and has appeared in television campaigns for the Hawaii Foodbank and Catholic Charities. She is also the recipient of the "2003 Women Helping Women Award" from the Soroptomist International Club and the 1st "Hawaii's Filipina Young Woman of the Year 2004" Award. Her inspirational story, "Give It a Try," is published in the book Chicken Soup from the Soul of Hawaii.

Kelly Crawford Perdew was the winner of the second season of "The Apprentice," with Donald Trump. Prior to winning the show, he was president of CoreObjects, a software development outsourcing company based in Los Angeles. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Perdew attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1989, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in national security and public affairs, where he was the number one ranked cadet in his field of study. After graduating from West Point, he attended Ranger school and Airborne training. In addition to his regular studies at West Point, Kelly completed Airborne training, interned with the House Armed Services Committee, spent a semester on "exchange" at the Naval Academy, and was a finalist in the Rhodes Scholar competition. He served in the United States Army as a military intelligence officer for three years. After his honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant, Perdew attended UCLA where he earned a joint Master of Business Administration/Juris Doctor degree. In his job as an "apprentice" of Donald Trump, Perdew was involved in the construction of Trump Place, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Danny Wuerffel is an American football player who won the 1996 Heisman Trophy while playing quarterback at the University of Florida. He is a devout Christian, a member of the Presbyterian Church in America, and known for his character both on and off the field. He played seven seasons in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Washington Redskins, before retiring. After leaving the NFL, he began work at Desire Street Ministries, a non-profit faith-based organization focusing on spiritual and community development in one of the poorest areas of New Orleans. In 2004, he co-authored a book called "Tales from the Gator Swamp," in which he covers his college football career at Florida. Hurricane Katrina destroyed Wuerffel's home and Desire Street Ministries. He has made national news with his calls to action and plans to rebuild Desire Street Ministries and New Orleans.

Other Council members include NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne, journalist Cokie Roberts, entertainer Art Linkletter, and singer Hilary Duff. A complete list of Council members can be found at www.volunteer.gov.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. The mission of the Corporation is to build lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities and across the globe through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to help Americans answer his Call to Service. Visit www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity and to find more information about volunteer service programs.

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