Friends,
In a wonderfully warm and far-ranging interview with Larry King on CNN last night, President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush talked with wit, candor, and grace about their lives, their closely-knit family, current politics, and the importance of service and, in particular, Points of Light Institute.
“Points of Light is a movement… volunteerism means a lot to me. Government cannot do everything,” said President Bush, who originated the phrase “1000 points of light” in an inaugural speech.
Our Points of Light board chair, Neil Bush, paid tribute to his parents in a video aired during the show, talking about the importance of volunteerism in their lives. “They devoted their lives to serving others,” he said, obviously moved by this chance to honor his parents. They in turn lauded Neil’s commitment and work with Points of Light and his spirit of thoughtfulness, generosity, and compassion.
The Bushes talked about the Points of Light Institute Tribute event, which will honor them at the Kennedy Center on March 21 in DC, saying they were looking forward to it. Said Barbara Bush, “I’m excited by it. There will be lots of celebrities and entertainers, less talking. It’s not a speech night; we hope people will be entertained. It is a fundraiser for Points of Light” to continue its important work. Added President Bush, “We don’t get to Washington much…this is a nice way of getting back to Washington.”
What came through so clearly in the hour-long interview is the devotion of each family member to each other and to the way that the service ideals exemplified in the lives of President and Barbara Bush have been carried through the generations by their children and grandchildren. Video excerpts from the interview are available here.
The Tribute event at the Kennedy Center in DC in March will bring together celebrities and entertainers, national and international leaders, current and former officeholders from both sides of the aisle, and many great American citizens to honor President and Barbara Bush. The event will celebrate their leadership in founding and advancing the modern-day voluntary service movement and pay tribute to the exceptional American ideal of voluntary action. President Bill Clinton is the Honorary Chairman for this historic occasion, which will also be the culminating moment for Points of Light Institute’s $30 million Service Generation Campaign.
To honor President Bush and to engage the nation in this celebration, we are inviting all Americans to recognize points of light in their lives and communities, make their own pledge to serve, and take the opportunity to write a Tribute message to President and Mrs. Bush. We hope to collect thousands of tributes to share with them.
President Obama recently recognized President George H.W. Bush with a Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor. The President said of the medal recipients, “All of them have lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place.”
President George and Barbara Bush have exemplified lives of service and set in motion the modern service movement, which has been extended by each successive President and embraced by the American people. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we are grateful for their leadership and thankful for all that they have inspired in the millions of “points of light” across our nation who are changing lives and making a difference in communities every day.
Yours in service,
Michelle Nunn
CEO, Points of Light Institute
