WASHINGTON (AP) — As a former community organizer, President Barack Obama says he’d never have become president had it not been for his service to others, and what he describes as the “purpose” that it gave to his life.
He and former President Bill Clinton today highlighted the benefits of volunteering, as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps national service program. They also welcomed the newest class of volunteers.
On the White House South Lawn, hundreds of volunteers in T-shirts raised their right hands and pledged to “get things done for America” during their year of service around the country.
Clinton said signing the bill that created AmeriCorps was one of the most important things he had done to foster public service.
At a time of public frustration with gridlock in Washington, and amid concern about new terrorist threats, Clinton said the volunteers seated before him gave him reason to be hopeful.
He described the volunteers as a “rainbow of diversity united to advance our common humanity.”
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166-a-12-(Former President Bill Clinton, speaking to AmeriCorps volunteers during a pledge-taking ceremony)-“age of uncertainty”-Former President Bill Clinton says helping create AmeriCorps two decades ago was “one of the most important things” he ever did. (12 Sep 2014)
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163-a-09-(President Barack Obama, speaking to AmeriCorps volunteers during a pledge-taking ceremony)-“made America stronger”-President Obama says the service of hundreds of thousands of AmeriCorps volunteers over two decades has “changed the life” of the nation. (12 Sep 2014)
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APPHOTO DCSA106: As President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton mark the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps national service program, hundreds of new volunteers are sworn in for duty at a ceremony, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton joined forces Friday to mark the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps national service program, heralding the impact volunteering can have on both individuals and the nation. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (12 Sep 2014)
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APPHOTO DCSA108: President Barack Obama listens as former President Bill Clinton speaks during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, to mark the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps national service program. President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton joined forces Friday to mark the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps national service program, heralding the impact volunteering can have on both individuals and the nation. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (12 Sep 2014)
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