Remarks by the President on Conservation and Volunteer Service
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

11:44 A.M. EDT

Earlier today, President Bush spoke about his volunteer service initiative at a coastal reserve outside of Naples, Fla. Prior to the speech, the President served with 10 members of AmeriCorps*NCCC removing invasive plants from the reserve. Following are excerpts from the President’s remarks about AmeriCorps, the importance of service, and USA Freedom Corps. You can read the full speech here.

EXCERPT ON AMERICORPS:

I want to thank David Eisner, who is the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Thank you for coming, David. (Applause.) I see David. Appreciate you coming. David is in charge of a lot of important programs, one of which is AmeriCorps. I'm a strong believer in AmeriCorps. I want to thank the -- (applause) -- where are my AmeriCorps buddies? There they are. (Applause.) Did you change shirts? (Laughter.) You look too pretty. (Laughter.) I was out there watching them help get rid of the invasees -- invasive grasses and species that is threatening the watersheds and threatening the wetlands. 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. It's really neat to be with you all. 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. (Applause.)

EXCERPT ON NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK AND USA FREEDOM CORPS:

Citizens have an important part -- a role to play in this, as well, and thats -- its really important for those of us in positions of responsibility to remind people that you cant have good environmental stewardship if you rely solely on the federal government. (Applause.) I mean, the federal government can help, but were the land of the mighty lawsuit. (Laughter.) Theres all kinds of lawsuits up there. The best way to get things done is to be a helper and encourage people, just like is doing here. I mean, this is a good example. Its why we came here -- its working. We came here to herald what's possible when all levels of government and local citizens decide to make a difference in the community in which they live.

And so today when I landed, in order to send a clear signal about how important volunteerism is, I presented the Presidents Volunteer Service Award to Neala Hoch. Where are you, Neala? Oh, there you are. Thanks, thanks for coming. (Applause.)

She's taking time out of her life to be involved with Keep America Beautiful and its affiliates, for 20 years. Shes a citizen who deserves our thanks, just like many of you all do. You know, they talk about Americas strength a lot of times and they say, well, America is strong because of our military. And by the way, I intend to keep the military strong to keep the peace. (Applause.) Or they say, were strong because were prosperous and -- were getting prosperous and we need to be even more prosperous, and I think we will be.

But the real strength is in the hearts and souls of our citizens, thats where our true strength -- thats why were a strong nation. (Applause.)

And it happens -- and that strength is displayed here or its displayed when somebody says to someone, I love you, what can I do to help you. Its displayed when people feed the hungry. Its displayed when people provide shelter to the homeless. The great strength of America is displayed when somebody mentors a child. Thats the strength of the country. And the best way that happens is when volunteers step up and say, I care about the community in which I live and I intend to do something about it. (Applause.)

And so today, at National Volunteer Week, I want to thank a member of the army of compassion and all the rest of you who are soldiers in the armies of compassion. I want to thank you for what you do to make America a better place. (Applause.)

And by the way, if you're interested in volunteering, I've set up what's called USA Freedom Corps. It's a clearing house for projects -- yes, there you go. It's a clearing house for -- a place where people can find to match their desires with what is needed in the communities all across America. You can find it at www.usafreedomcorps.gov. All you got to do is get on this web page, and it'll link you up to different opportunities, whether it be Scouting, or whether it be environmental protection. There's all kinds of opportunities across the country just asking for your help.

So on National Volunteer Week, I call upon our fellow citizens to serve our country by helping somebody in need. And by doing so, this society will change, one heart and one soul at a time. No, the strength of this country is the fact that we're a nation full of compassionate, decent, honorable, loving citizens. And it is my honor to be the President of such a country. (Applause.)

May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America. (Applause.)

END 12:04 P.M. EDT

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