Pol Light Moment #37 is when George H.W. Bush encouraged volunteerism at his innauguration on January 20, 1989, calling volunteers a "thousand points of light." Continuing this theme while in office, Bush has also made volunteerism a central focus of his post-presidency years. George H.W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989-1993. He also served as the Vice-President of the United States from 1981-1989.
The following is an excerpt from George H.W. Bush's Innaugural speech.
"I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding. We will work on this in the White House, in the Cabinet agencies. I will go to the people and the programs that are the brighter points of light, and I will ask every member of my government to become involved. The old ideas are new again because they are not old, they are timeless: duty, sacrifice, commitment, and a patriotism that finds its expression in taking part and pitching in (Source)."
The Points of Light organization is a private, nonprofit organization that was formed to carry on the work Bush started of encouraging volunteer points of light, and it has become the world's leading nonprofit volunteer organization (Source). A tribute to George H.W. Bush role in the formation of the organization is found on the Points of Light website.
The Point of Light website says, "The Daily Point of Light Award was established by former President George H. W. Bush to engage individuals, families, businesses and groups to solve community problems through voluntary service. During his presidency, President Bush distributed 1,020 Daily Point of Light Awards, placing volunteer service at the top of his agenda. President Bush continues to sign all of the awards today (Source)." A list of almost 5,000 past honorees of the Daily Point of Light Award through 2011 is available in an online booklet (Reference).
The following is a video tribute to George H.W. Bush and his Point of Light message.
George H. W. Bush has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all George H. W. Bush posts search with George H. W. Bush label at Pol Light. For more about the history behind the phrase "Thousand Points of Light" see the Wikipedia article on it.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
The photo of George H.W. Bush is in the Public Domain.
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