President George W. Bush will meet Walter J. Piper upon arrival in Detroit, Michigan, on Thursday, July 24, 2003. Piper has volunteered for more than 12 years as part of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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 Piper, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Piper has been an active member of SCORE since his retirement in 1990. Through SCORE, he serves as an advisor and counselor to small business owners and individuals interested in starting a new business. As a SCORE volunteer, Piper offers advice on management, financing, sales, marketing and business strategy. For the past 12 years, Piper has also volunteered with the Oakland County Literacy Council where he teaches English as a second language to Detroit area residents.

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. This summer, the USA Freedom Corps is helping individuals, families, and groups find opportunities to volunteer in their own neighborhoods or on vacations away from home through the new “How I Spent My Summer” initiative. More information on these opportunities is available at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling
1-877-USA-CORPS.

###