The Presidential Medal of Freedom

"We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a Thousand Points of Light...We all have something to give."
- President George Herbert Walker Bush

Friends,

More than 20 years ago in his Inaugural Address, President George H.W. Bush inspired a nation when he invoked the phrase, "a thousand points of light." From those words Points of Light Institute evolved, and since that time millions of Americans have been moved to reach out to their neighbor, to mentor a child, to volunteer and take action.

Earlier this week, President Obama awarded the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom to fifteen honorees. George H.W. Bush was one of those fifteen receiving the nation's highest civilian honor; a group that also included Congressman John Lewis and Sylvia Mendez.

President Obama stated at the ceremony, "... his humility and his decency reflects the very best of the American spirit. Those of you who know him, this is a gentleman. Inspiring citizens to become 'points of light' in service to others. Teaming up with a one-time political opponent to champion relief for the victims of the Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina. And then, just to cap it off, well into the 80's, he decides to jump out of airplanes - because, as he explains, 'it feels good.'"

The Medal of Freedom is an honor well deserved, as President Bush continues to leave a legacy of service, not only to his country, but to the global community as well. His work echoes his vision - a world where we would all work hand in hand to help form a "community of conscience." That vision, along with his unyielding leadership, has helped to advance the modern-day service movement.

Former White House speech writer, Mary Kate Cary, spoke of that leadership and vision in a U.S. News & World Report article: "What makes Bush different from any other president in American history is that he was the only one to recognize, on a daily basis, ordinary American citizens who were doing extraordinary things. Starting in November 1989, he named a different citizen a "daily Point of Light" each day. He continued to do so for four years; 1,020 were honored in all. It began a movement that is changing the course of our nation."

The Daily Point of Light award is a cause President Bush believes in so ardently, that he still signs each award certificate personally. To date, more than 4,300 individuals have recieved the award.

George P. Bush, President Bush's grandson, also touched upon his Grandfather's commitment to service in today's USA Today Op-Ed: "Volunteerism and public service are at the core of what my grandparents' quintessentially American lives have taught me. It's what my grandfather meant when he called for "a thousand points of light" in his Inaugural Address 22 years ago. It's what President Obama meant on Tuesday when he awarded Gampy with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor our nation knows."

With just over a month until Points of Light Institute's star studded Tribute to George H.W. Bush, the awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a fitting launch for this upcoming celebration. We will be sharing more details on this exciting event over the coming weeks.

As we continue to congratulate President Bush on his achievement; we also concurrently celebrate the uniquely American power of the volunteer spirit and its essential role in our nation... as the two are undeniably interlinked.


In Service,

Michelle Nunn
CEO, Points of Light Institute
Co-Founder, HandsOn Network