President George W. Bush will meet Timothy J. Haniford when he arrives in Lima, Ohio, on Thursday, April 24, 2003. Haniford serves as chair of the Allen County Citizen Corps Council helping to make his community safer and better prepared to respond to emergencies.

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country like Haniford who are answering the call to volunteer service.

As chair of the Allen County Citizen Corps Council, Haniford works with leaders from law enforcement, emergency medical and management agencies, local government and other volunteers to help strengthen emergency response and disaster preparedness in his community. Citizen Corps, a federal service program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a component of the USA Freedom Corps, was created to provide individuals with volunteer opportunities and assist with homeland security measures. The Allen County Citizen Corps Council is one of more than 435 local Citizen Corps Councils across the country. Haniford also serves as chair of the Allen County Local Emergency Planning Commission and is a member of the Lima Area Security Emergency Response (LASER) Task Force, which informs individuals about public safety efforts within the community.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to volunteer 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 opportunities in their own neighborhoods through the USA Freedom Corps web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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