July 2, 2009
In radio address, governor says United We Serve an opportunity to create positive change in communities
LANSING - In this week's radio address preceding the Fourth of July, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today urged Michigan citizens to demonstrate their patriotic pride all summer by volunteering through United We Serve, a national call to service by President Obama.
"United We Serve challenges all Americans to join in our country's economic and social renewal by engaging in sustained, meaningful community service," Granholm said. "This summer initiative has just begun, and it'll conclude on a new National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11."
"United We Serve is targeting four areas: education, health care, energy independence and community renewal," Granholm continued. "The president says while government is tackling all of these issues, government can't do the job alone. To rebuild our local communities, our state and our nation, volunteers are essential."
Granholm urged citizens to visit the United We Serve Web site
http://www.serve.gov
By typing in your zip code, you can find local volunteer opportunities.
"Volunteering this summer through United We Serve is one way we can do for others," Granholm said. "The first gentleman and I have found volunteer work to be immensely rewarding. And we believe you will, too. Please consider joining the thousands of United We Serve volunteers, and we can keep that Fourth of July spirit going all summer long."
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site at (
www.michigan.gov/gov
) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - United We Serve
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
Saturday is the Fourth of July, the day we celebrate our nation's independence. It's a day for fireworks and barbeques and parades - a day when our chests swell with patriotic pride.
Now there's a way you can demonstrate that patriotic pride all summer. It's by volunteering through United We Serve, a national call to service by President Obama. United We Serve is an opportunity for Americans to serve their country this summer by volunteering and creating positive change in their communities.
United We Serve challenges all Americans to join in our country's economic and social renewal by engaging in sustained, meaningful community service. This summer initiative has just begun, and it will conclude on a new National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11.
United We Serve is targeting four areas: education, health care, energy independence, and community renewal. The president says while government is tackling all these issues, government can't do the job alone. To rebuild our local communities, our state and our nation, volunteers are essential.
For even though we can build new schools, we'll still need mentors and tutors for schoolchildren. While we can improve our health care system, we'll still need volunteers to staff hospitals and teach people about healthy lifestyles. And while we can allocate funds to weatherize homes, we'll still need volunteers to caulk windows and install insulation.
I strongly urge you to visit the United We Serve Web site: serve.gov. By typing in your zip code, you can find local volunteer opportunities.
Better yet, try creating your own service project in which your family or friends and neighbors can participate. The United We Serve Web site can help you with ideas, and you also can use it to recruit volunteers.
In Michigan, the United We Serve effort is being led by the Michigan Community Service Commission, chaired by the first gentleman. You can find more information on volunteer opportunities on the state of Michigan Web site. Just go to michigan.gov and type the word "volunteer" in the search box.
Dr. Martin Luther King said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"
Volunteering this summer through United We Serve is one way we can do for others. The first gentleman and I have found volunteer work to be immensely rewarding, and we believe you will too. Please consider joining the thousands of United We Serve volunteers, and we can keep that Fourth of July spirit going all summer long.
Thank you for listening, and have a great holiday weekend.
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