WASHINGTON, D.C. - Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the USA Freedom Corps Desiree Sayle spoke to an energetic group of 7,000 students and honored two National History Day volunteers with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award today during the National History Day Awards Ceremony at the Cole Field House in College Park, MD.

“Our history is important for all of us to understand, because it gives us a sense of what it means to be an American; a sense of importance to serve something greater than self,” said Sayle. “In answering President Bush’s Call to Service, Lori Lisowski and Linda Abood have helped plant the seed of service in future generations.”

Lori and Linda both started judging for National History Day in 1994. They were immediately taken by the program and the students. For ten years, the two women have given a full week of their personal vacations to serve as volunteers during the National History Day National Contest. Not only have they volunteered their time to make sure National History Day is a positive experience for everyone, but they also created the Friends of National History Day organization to help raise funds to support the National History Day summer internship program for college students.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on every American to dedicate two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lives to volunteer service. To help more Americans engage in volunteer service, he created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House charged with strengthening and expanding volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Studies show that approximately 5 million more Americans are volunteering today than just three years ago. Go to www.usafreedomcorps.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.usafreedomcorpskids.gov for ideas designed to show how America's youth can make a difference.

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