Presidential Documents

20215 

Federal Register 

Vol. 76, No. 70 

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8649 of April 7, 2011 

National Volunteer Week, 2011 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

America’s story has been marked by the service of volunteers. Generations 

of selfless individuals from all walks of life have served each other and 

our Nation, each person dedicated to making tomorrow better than today. 

They exemplify the quintessential American idea that we can change things, 

make things better, and solve problems when we work together. 

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our schools and shelters, hospitals and hotlines, and faith-based and community groups. From mentoring at-risk youth 

and caring for older Americans to supporting our veterans and military 

families and rebuilding after disasters, these everyday heroes make a real 

and lasting impact on the lives of millions of women and men across 

the globe. 

Last year, nearly 63 million Americans gave of themselves through service. 

Their compassion is a testament to the generosity of the American spirit. 

In difficult times, Americans are coming together—tackling our challenges 

instead of ignoring them—and renewing the principle that we are our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper. 

Today, as many Americans face hardship, we need volunteers more than 

ever. Service opportunities tap the energy and ingenuity of our greatest 

resource—the American people—to improve our neighborhoods and our 

world. My Administration is committed to investing in community solutions 

and increasing opportunities for Americans to serve. The bipartisan Edward 

M. Kennedy Serve America Act strengthened the programs of the Corporation 

for National and Community Service, which engage millions of citizens 

each year in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and 

Serve America. We are building the capacity of organizations and communities to tackle their own problems by investing in social innovation and 

volunteer cultivation. And through United We Serve, a national call to 

service, we are making it easier for women and men of all ages to find 

volunteer opportunities or create their own projects where they see a need. 

During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the profound impact of volunteers and encourage all Americans to discover their own power to make 

a difference. Every one of us has a role to play in making our communities 

and our country stronger. I encourage all Americans to help us renew 

progress and prosperity and build a brighter future for our Nation by visiting 

www.Serve.gov to find a local project. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 10 through 

April 16, 2011, as National Volunteer Week. I call upon all Americans 

to observe this week by volunteering in service projects across our country 

and pledging to make service a part of their daily lives. 


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20216 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2011 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day 

of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2011–8837 

Filed 4–11–11; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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