Washington, D.C. – On the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Bush is encouraging Americans to observe the anniversary through prayers and personal remembrances as well as acts of voluntary and charitable service.

In his 2007 Patriot Day Proclamation, the President stated that, “The spirit of our people is the source of America's strength, and six years ago, Americans came to the aid of neighbors in need. On Patriot Day, we pray for those who died and for their families. We volunteer to help others and demonstrate the continuing compassion of our citizens. On this solemn occasion, we rededicate ourselves to laying the foundation of peace with confidence in our mission and our free way of life.”

Members of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation – which was established by President Bush in 2003 to recognize, reward, and inspire volunteer service in America – will observe 9/11 by joining hundreds of thousands of individuals in pledging good deeds for the coming year.

According to Jean Case, chair of the President’s Council: “We hope that together we can lay the foundation so that generation’s to come will reflect on the events of September 11, not only as a day of tragedy, but as one of national compassion, patriotism and unity.”

President’s Council members will observe 9/11 in the following capacities:

• Tony Dungy, head coach of the 2007 Super Bowl winners the Indianapolis Colts, will donate tickets for volunteer mentors and their youth mentees to attend home games throughout the season. “It has been rewarding to allow adults to take kids to our games who otherwise may never get to go,” Dungy said. “It's an easy way for us to support the volunteers in these types of groups and let them know we care about their efforts.”

• NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne pledges to invite a group of school children to tour his garage and learn more about the sport and the behind-the-scenes preparation, commitment, and teamwork required to succeed.

• Entertainer Art Linkletter will speak to senior citizens throughout the country about the importance of volunteering when it comes to living old age to the fullest. Linkletter’s own volunteer efforts include serving as chairman of the boards of the UCLA Center on Aging and the John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation.

• Wendy Spencer, CEO of Volunteer Florida, and the Mayor of Tallahassee, John Marks, will provide lunch to the firemen of Tallahassee Fire Station Number 3, to thank them for their service to the community. Former First Lady of Ohio Hope Taft will deliver cookies to her local fire station in Ohio and thank the local first responders for always being there.

• This week Mark Yudof, chancellor of the University of Texas System, will launch Lend A Hand, which supports the annual Texas State Employees Charitable Campaign (SECC). This campaign encourages U.T. employees to give back to the community through financial support. The chancellor will also spend time reading with the students at the U.T. Elementary School, the system’s charter school for children from less affluent families.

The 25-member President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was given a charge by President Bush to promote an ethic of service and to recognize the millions of Americans who are giving back to their communities through generous acts of service. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Council brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media to promote their efforts. To learn more about the Council and its members, please visit http://www.volunteer.gov. To learn more about the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program, administered by the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network please visit, http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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