President George W. Bush will meet Garry Cobb when he arrives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, December 12, 2002. Cobb, a former Philadelphia Eagles football player, volunteers as a mentor for disadvantaged children.

In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years over their lifetime in service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country who are answering the call to service and will recognize Cobb as example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Cobb, a former linebacker with the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, volunteers each week with several youth development programs in his community. Cobb works with students at the Youth Study Center, a juvenile detention facility in Philadelphia, and St. Gabriel's Youth Home where he serves as a mentor and role model for disadvantaged children. Cobb has served on the board of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Philadelphia and regularly speaks with students in Philadelphia area schools about responsibility and achieving goals.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to 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 information on the USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-Corps.

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