Naples, Fla. - Highlighting his call to volunteer service, President George W. Bush today served with a team of AmeriCorps members removing non-native invasive plants at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples, Fla.

The President served alongside 10 members of team “Blue 7” of the AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), based out of Charleston, S.C. The team is serving on a month-long project to remove non-native invasive vegetation, restore a boardwalk and park facilities, and clear trails at the reserve. In remarks after his service, the President discussed the contributions made by America’s volunteers and renewed his call for citizens to serve their country.

“I'm a strong believer in AmeriCorps,” the President said. “They're doing good work. These are good kids from around the country who are dedicating time to help America, whether it be teaching kids how to read and write or add and subtract, or out here in the hinterlands of South Florida, protecting the environment… I want to thank you for your service, thank you for your hard work and may God continue to bless you and your families as you pursue your dreams.”

The President’s visit came during National Volunteer Week, when the nation honors the contributions made by America’s volunteers. In a proclamation issued on Saturday, the President hailed the dedicated efforts of volunteers, who are “building a culture of service, responsibility, and compassion.” Nearly 64 million Americans volunteered last year, an increase of 4 million over the previous year, according to a national study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics released in December.

“Our AmeriCorps members are excited and thrilled to serve side-by-side with the President today,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. “AmeriCorps members do tremendous good for our country, both through their direct service such as tutoring children and building homes and by mobilizing hundreds of thousands of additional volunteers. Thanks to President Bush and Congress, there will soon be more opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps than ever before.”

In his 2004 budget, President Bush proposed a 50 percent expansion of AmeriCorps, and Congress approved his request. The budget increase will support a record 75,000 AmeriCorps members, the largest class in AmeriCorps’ 10-year history. The President’s 2005 request will continue AmeriCorps at 75,000 members.

“AmeriCorps is a great program for people who have a strong desire to serve and help people,” said Nick Chase, a 25-year-old AmeriCorps team leader who will be serving with the President today. “I hope the President’s visit will shine the spotlight on AmeriCorps and the work we do -- and maybe even inspire others to serve.”

Since 1994, more than 300,000 men and women have served in AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps members tutor children, build homes, respond to disasters, preserve the environment, recruit volunteers, and build the capacity of community groups. In return for a year of full-time service, they receive an education award of $4,725 that can be used to pay for college or to pay off student loans. Applications are available at www.americorps.org.

AmeriCorps consists of three main programs: AmeriCorps*State and National, AmeriCorps*NCCC, and AmeriCorps*VISTA. AmeriCorps*NCCC is a team-based residential national service program for women and men between the ages of 18 and 24. Members serve on environmental, education, public safety, disaster relief, and other projects. About 1,000 members serve full time for 10 months, based at 5 regional campuses. Last year, AmeriCorps*NCCC members fought forest fires on nearly 70,000 acres of land, constructed or repaired 700 miles of hiking trails, helped plant 40,000 trees, and cleared exotic vegetation from 8,000 acres.

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. The programs of the Corporation engage more than two million Americans each year in meeting critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. 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 www.nationalservice.org.

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