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For Immediate Release
March 16, 2002

President Bush to Recognize St. Louis Man for His Dedication to Service

President George W. Bush will be greeted by Derek Rapp, a local businessman and founder of St. Louis Cares when he arrives in St. Louis on Monday. President Bush will recognize Rapp as an example of the lifetime commitment to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years -- the equivalent of 4,000 hours--in service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing men and women from around the country who are answering the call to service as part of his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

In 1999, Rapp founded St. Louis Cares to meet the St. Louis community's growing need for short-term volunteer opportunities. St. Louis Cares offers one-time volunteer opportunities to people with busy schedules. In coordination with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis Cares has helped more than 2,400 volunteers accomplish nearly 600 projects.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find information on the USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-Corps.

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