WASHINGTON (AP) — A dual interest in public service has brought President Barack Obama and former President George H.W. Bush together at the White House for a joint salute to volunteerism in America.
The first President Bush — "41," he often calls himself — came for a visit Monday to attend a ceremony Obama was holding to recognize the 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award. Created by Bush more than two decades ago to honor volunteer service, the award's name comes from the description in his 1989 inaugural address of Americans serving each other as "a thousand points of light."
"It's now a much more common thing in our country, I think, to hear about and for young people to get involved in community service," White House press secretary Jay Carney said Monday. "And I think the president believes that President Bush 41 deserves a large portion of credit for that."
Bush's wife, Barbara, the former first lady; their son Neil, and other relatives are expected to attend; son and former President George W. Bush is not. Also scheduled to attend is Michelle Nunn, CEO of the Points of Light organization and a possible Democratic Senate candidate from Georgia. She's the daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga.
