06.17.09

Chairman Miller Applauds President Obama’s United We Serve Campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. George Miller issued the following statement today after President Obama launched the United We Serve campaign, a new initiative to engage Americans in service and volunteer opportunities to help rebuild the country. Recent news articles report that American’s interest in service is surging, partly as more unemployed Americans seek volunteer opportunities while they look for a new job.
“I applaud President Obama for taking this next step to tap into Americans’ talents, skills and desire to give back. The United We Serve campaign will help Americans become a part of the solution to the many challenges we face – health care, energy and education – and help our economy recover. Service is a fundamental American value, and President Obama deserves great credit for recognizing that it can be a valuable tool for rebuilding our country at a critical moment.

“Earlier this year, President Obama launched a new era of American service to build a stronger, vibrant America and harness the energy we see across this country in the same way that President Kennedy first did nearly fifty years ago. This effort, just like the law that inspired it, will create a continuum of service for Americans of all ages and walks of life – from middle school through retirement – to help transform our nation by making a difference in their communities.”

This campaign comes after President Obama enacted legislation, co-authored by Miller, to create the most significant expansion of community service and volunteer opportunities since President Kennedy issued his call to serve nearly fifty years ago. Among other things, the law established a call to service campaign and encouraged Americans to recognize September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Building on this, the United We Serve Campaign will run from June 22 through September 11.