Washington, DC - In recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, President George W. Bush yesterday awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to retired teacher Linda Uehara, a Learn and Serve America pioneer from Hawaii, and five other volunteers during a White House ceremony.

“For over 40 years, Linda has been working with youth, families, schools, and communities to promote and support safe and healthy life styles in Hawaii,” President Bush said in presenting the award. “As a volunteer with the Hawaii Girls Court she co-facilitates Girls Street Smart, a life skills program for Asian and Pacific Island girls, ages 12 to 18 years, and Girls Circle, a strength-based approach to honor gifts and talents, build healthy relationships, and address girls' needs.”

Uehara, who was accompanied by her daughter Marcie Herring, was appointed in 2003 by the Governor of the state of Hawaii to serve on the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, a group that affects services for about 1,800 youths each year. Also in attendance was Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and former Secretary or Transportation Norman Mineta.

Uehara and Herring visited the Corporation for National and Community Service before the White House event, meeting with COO Elizabeth Seale and Learn and Serve America Director Amy Cohen, Deputy Director Elson Nash, and Program Coordinator Calvin Dawson. Uehara said she became involved in service-learning because she grew up watching her father, Marcario Flores, volunteer for many worthy causes.

“That legacy has been passed on to the children,” she said. “When I do service-learning and participate in the community, I think about honoring my father.”

Learn and Serve America is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and AmeriCorps. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.

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