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- President George W. Bush

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 06, 2007

The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Press Office
Phone: 202-456-7381

President Bush to Recognize Houston Man for Dedication to Volunteer Service

President George W. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Patrick Kuykendall upon arrival in Houston, Texas, on Thursday, November 8, 2007.  Kuykendall is a volunteer with the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).  To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer when he travels throughout the United States.  He has met with more than 600 volunteers, like Kuykendall, since March 2002.

President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Patrick Kuykendall when he arrives in Houston, Texas, on Thursday, November 8, 2007.  Kuykendall is a volunteer with the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).  To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer when he travels throughout the United States.  He has met with more than 600 volunteers, like Kuykendall, since March 2002.

Kuykendall has been a volunteer at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Spinal Cord Injury Unit for 17 years and has logged more than 10,000 hours of service.  He supports the staff by assisting with patient therapy, meal service and feeding.  He also volunteers in the Recreation Therapy department where he helps plan patient activities.  Kuykendall was named the VAMC Volunteer of the Year in 2006.  In addition, he was recognized as the Volunteer of the Games for the 21st National Veterans Golden Age Games which were held in Houston in August 2007.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 61 million Americans volunteered in 2006. Go to www.volunteer.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, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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