In his
State of the Union address tonight, Jan. 29, 2002,
President Bush called for the creation of a
USA Freedom Corps. As part of this he asked all
Americans to devote 2 years of
volunteer service over the remainder of their lives to the service of their
nation and their
neighbors. He also called for creation of a
Homeland Security Corps and expansion of the pre-existing
AmeriCorps,
Senior Corps, and
Peace Corps programs. He seemed to be saying these various programs would together become the new
USA Freedom Corps.
This quote is from the
transcript of the speech posted on the
Whitehouse website under Office of the Press Secretary.
"For too long our
culture has said, "If it feels good, do it." Now
America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: "Let's roll." (Applause.) In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of
firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary
citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We've been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass. (Applause.)
My call tonight is for every
American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation. (Applause.) Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren't sure how to help, I've got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new
USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.
One purpose of the
USA Freedom Corps will be
homeland security. America needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in major emergencies;
volunteers to help
police and
fire departments; transportation and utility workers well-trained in spotting danger.
Our country also needs citizens working to rebuild our communities. We need mentors to love children, especially children whose parents are in prison. And we need more talented teachers in troubled schools.
USA Freedom Corps will expand and improve the good efforts of
AmeriCorps and
Senior Corps to recruit more than 200,000 new volunteers.
And America needs citizens to extend the compassion of our country to every part of the world. So we will renew the promise of the
Peace Corps, double its
volunteers over the next five years -- (applause) -- and ask it to join a new effort to encourage development and education and opportunity in the
Islamic world. (Applause.)
This time of adversity offers a unique moment of opportunity -- a moment we must seize to change our culture. Through the gathering momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness, I know we can overcome evil with greater good. (Applause.) And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace."