U.S. President Barack Obama visits the western state of Texas
Friday to take part in the 20th anniversary celebration of the public
service program inspired by former U.S. President George H.W. Bush.
Mr.
Obama will be on the campus of Texas A&M University in College
Station, Texas to attend the Points of Light public service forum
hosted by Mr. Bush.
The non-profit, non-partisan Points of Light Institute honors groups that participate in community service efforts.
Mr.
Bush first mentioned the idea of a "1,000 points of light" in his
1989 inaugural address. Later that year, he established an award for
individuals making a difference.
The Points of Light
Institute, which was founded in 1990, says the public service movement
has been sustained and grown under all the presidents following Mr.
Bush - Bill Clinton, Mr. Bush's son, George W. Bush, and President
Obama.
Earlier this year, Mr. Obama signed into law the Edward
M. Kennedy Serve America Act designed to promote and expand on previous
public service programs. Among other efforts, the White House says the
act will create a contingent of 250,000 volunteers a year dedicated to
addressing the nation's toughest problems.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
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Obama to Promote Community Service
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