President George W. Bush will meet Jack Fischer when he arrives in Spokane, Washington, on Thursday, June 17, 2004.  Fischer is an active volunteer with SCORE, a volunteer management counseling program sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The USA Freedom Corps is President Bush’s initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation by volunteering two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetime.  Since January 2002, President Bush has met with hundreds of individuals around the country, like Fischer, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

For the past 10 years, Fischer has been a counselor with SCORE, where he volunteers approximately 20 hours a month counseling business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.  Utilizing expertise gleaned from 35 years in the banking industry, Fischer advises clients on preparing business plans, marketing, cash flow management, and insight on how to start a new business.  SCORE is comprised of active and retired business executives who volunteer their time counseling and advising small business owners on the many aspects of starting a business, or improving an existing enterprise.  Clients are matched with the counselor whose experience most closely parallels their needs, and they may utilize the counseling service as long as necessary, at no charge.  Fischer also volunteers as the district director for SCORE at four chapters in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

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 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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