President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Mike Martin when he arrives at the airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Thursday, February 2, 2006. Martin is a volunteer at the STARBASE La Luz Academy at Kirtland Air Force Base. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 460 individuals around the country, like Martin, since March 2002.

STARBASE La Luz Academy is a Department of Defense education outreach program sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base. The program is designed to encourage elementary and secondary students throughout New Mexico to pursue careers as scientists and engineers. Martin teaches hands-on advanced science classes to elementary students enrolled in the Providing Engineering and Technology Experiences for Students (PETES) program. For four years Mike was a STARBASE Review Mentor for high school students who were designing and implementing research projects for the Students Planning and Conducting Engineering (SPACE) Flight program.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Studies show that approximately 6 million more Americans are volunteering today than in 2001. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.usafreedomcorpskids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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