Mr. President, Your distinguished wide, Hillary Rodham Clinton! As always you inspire us with your knowledge and your devotion to programs like AmeriCorps! Unselfish financial enterprises fit in completely well with AmeriCorps. No wonder Harris Wofford adores you. My friend Harris Wofford, distinguished leader of our Armed Forces and now of “America’s Promise”, General Colin Powell, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Governor Michael Leavitt, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have had the greatest luck and good fortune of any living citizen of the USA! My wife is my #1 treasure and inspiration. No one excels her. She is one of the most imaginative, create and successful women on earth! Our five children, Bobby, Maria, Timothy, Mark and Anthony are unsurpassed and all your in-laws. My job: #1, my travels #1, my economic good fortune #1, my health, my home, my friends #1.
But, your programs, Mr. President and Harris Wofford, the AmeriCorps Programs, and all of your activities are not only superb, but they should be twice or three times larger than they are today. Why?
Because “AmeriCorps” represents the best in our Nation and so does the Peace Corps, which should be 8 or 10 times larger than today. Money spent on outer space should be no greater than what we spend as a nation, on inner space.
Money spent on physical physique and games and competitions should no larger than the monies spent on our mental physique and mental contests and mental games. Mind is more important than matter. Our souls and our spirits are more important than our bodies.
Our future depends more on our heads and souls than on our bodies and our money!
Everyone we honor today exemplifies these qualities in our national life. So, it is truly an honor to join General Powell, Mrs. King, and Governor Leavitt in bestowing awards on these exemplary U.S. Citizens. May they be only the Vanguard of thousands who will follow in their footsteps. Among those most worthy of our praise and applause are:
- Jock Bridges After finishing college, Jack moved home to care for his family. With Habitat for Humanity, he has literally helped rebuild his own community — and has recruited others to do the same.
- Scott Finn. Scott worked with local residents to transform an abandoned school building into a thriving community center.
- Tera Oglesby. Serving with the Seattle Police Department, Tera demonstrated the power of volunteers by starting a new support team for victims of crime and abuse.
- Anna Severens. Anna’s leadership with a free mobile preschool program helped double the number of children served.
- Byrnadett Frerker. Brynadett has given families and communities hope by leading relief efforts after wildfires in Florida, a hurricane in Mississippi, floods in Missouri, and Hurricane Floyd in North Carolina. “Strengthening Communities”
