Obama, Bush 41 to honor Iowa couple during volunteer event
Washington (CNN) - Former President George H.W. Bush will make a return to the White House Monday to join President Barack Obama in honoring a couple who deliver meals to children in a bid to fight hunger.
The event will also celebrate a milestone for the Daily Point of Light Award, a service initiative started during Bush's administration. Floyd Hammer and Kathy Hamilton, the Iowa couple who started the hunger-combatting group Outreach after a trip to Tanzania, will receive the 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award.
Obama will also announce during the ceremony a new federal task force charges with finding more ways Americans can volunteer their time to help solve problems facing the country.
Calling volunteers in service to their communities "a thousand points of light" in his 1989 inaugural address, Bush went on to award the first Daily Point of Light awards to honor citizens who make a difference through their volunteer work.
The Points of Light Foundation is now the world's largest service organization coordinating volunteer projects. Bush serves as the non-partisan, non-profit foundation's honorary chairman and his son Neil Bush is the president of the organization.
"This event brings together two Presidents and families united in their commitment to growing volunteerism and service – an issue with a long history of strong bipartisan support," said a White House official.
"He is excited," Jim McGrath, spokesman for former President George H.W. Bush, told CNN last week. "It should be a special day for the service movement."
Former First Lady Barbara Bush and other members of the Bush family will also attend the event.
The 89 year old former president has battled health problems. He had been hospitalized this past winter suffering complications related to bronchitis.
Bush also has a form of Parkinson's disease that affects his legs and requires him to use a wheelchair.
His last public appearance was at the opening of his son President George W. Bush's presidential library in April.
Obama and the younger President Bush met in Tanzania at the beginning of July to attend a wreath laying ceremony commemorating the 1998 U.S. Embassy attack in Dar es Salaam.
CNN's Lesa Jansen, Kevin Bohn and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
- Senators brace for contentious Tuesday as impeachment trial begins in earnest January 17, 2020 09:40 pm
- McConnell tries to set trial rules as pressure building on vulnerable senators January 17, 2020 07:00 pm
- After more than 48 hours of silence, Pompeo says State will investigate possible surveillance of ex-US ambassador January 17, 2020 06:56 pm
- Justice Department releases 176 more pages of Mueller documents to CNN and BuzzFeed January 17, 2020 10:17 pm
- Supreme Court to decide if states can force presidential electors to vote for the state's winner January 17, 2020 08:55 pm
- No. 2 US general says North Korea building new missiles 'as fast as anybody on the planet' January 17, 2020 10:20 pm
On one hand they cry they furlough employees on the the other this wastage with gone away political junk.....third world like.
the only honest one,s their is the marine and carter
President Bush needs to stop showing up around Obama. it only serves to give Obama credibility.
some class back in the white house then
Well, OK
Bush H.W &Obama : D World Now Truly Knows Her Efforts To Recognizing Voluteers&Free Will Donaos
Truth be known – the most honest guy in that pic – is Carter – next, would be Clinton – all the others, lol – well, they are all worthless –
as an independent – If we don't get somebody in 2016 who will be completely honest with the voters in this country – and try like heck to get our debt down, there is going to be some huge problems, in the future.
Whyis called Bush 41?
Another Obama task force?? Yay!
So we need a presidential commission to find ways for people to volunteer. How about just telling people to walk into a school, church or local homeless shelter and save the commission's time and our money.
Birds of a feather flock together. It's all an illusion people.
41 is Ok to visit. Just don't let that fool #43 anywhere near it. He messed it up pretty good last time he visited and overstayed his welcome.
ohhh that 100 million about to run out?
The Bush folks are a REAL class act! I won't hold my breath but I hope some of their "classiness" rubs off on Obama.
Wow! Being a life-long Democrat, I cant believe I am making this comment.
But, the truth will liberate América!!!
Anyone receiving federal assistance/welfare should be volunteering/voluntold. Besides, it helps build the résumé through work experience and helps with networking.
Jerry, google bush family, and get back to me.
Cancerous family, dealy one might say
True, the worstthing to ever happen to the usa, the real truth about this family is disgusting. tax evasion seminar, 10k a seat, how to screw the us government out of tax money, a true patriot, and idiots like jerry vote for them, not eeven bothering to get informed, he likes his own reality, and the gop will spoonfeed you your entire life, all thw while selling your best interest to the highest bidder
You see jerry, its ok to vote for bush if you truly believe he represents your ideaology, but if you did, you would not have called him a great guy, or whatever horsesht you said that refered to his quality of character, he has none, just sayin, where was he during last election, hint, taxes, rich people, cayman islands, you figure it out
@Dave Brett – what about those working two jobs at minimum wage who need government assistance because rent in their area will chew up 120 hours worth of minimum wage? Most people receiving federal assistance do not fit the sterotypes you see to subscribe to.
@keith It's called Bush 41 because it's referring to George H. W. Bush... Or the 41st president.
All in all this is a good thing. I don't care for the younger Bush bur HW at least was a half way decent guy. I still think off all the ones in the picture Clinton was the best, by far.
All presidents past, present, and future are all completely worthless with the exception of President Eisenhower.