Strengthening Opportunities to Serve In America’s Communities

During his State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to give at least two years of their lives - the equivalent of 4,000 hours - to service to their neighborhoods, communities and Nation.

Today, the President will travel to Bridgeport, Connecticut to outline his principles for reforming and strengthening the community service programs operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The President's principles are outlined in a package that he will send to Congress today calling for a Citizen Service Act. They include:

• Supporting and encouraging greater engagement of citizens in volunteering by reforming and enhancing national and community service programs to increase the quantity and quality of service opportunities for Americans.
• Making Federal funds more responsive to state and local needs by giving state, local and community officials more authority and flexibility to provide service opportunities to the citizens they represent.
• Making Federal support more accountable and effective by investing in opportunities that will produce results for the communities they serve.
• Providing greater assistance to secular and faith-based community organizations by including more such organizations in national and community service programs.

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