News Release

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH AND POINTS OF LIGHT FOUNDATION DEDICATE NEW NATIONAL MONUMENT

Left to right: Extra Mile Founder John Johansen, Barbara Bush, George Bush and Points of Light Foundation President & CEO Bob Goodwin

The Extra Mile -- Points of Light Volunteer Pathway honors the pioneers of 20 American volunteer movements

On Friday, October 14, 2005, the Points of Light Foundation together with former President George Bush and Barbara Bush formally dedicated the Extra Mile, a new national monument located just adjacent to the White House.

The Extra Mile will ultimately honor up to 70 Americans who dedicated their lives to building service-oriented movements that have benefited American society. The dedication ceremony recognized 20 initial honorees including Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez and Clara Barton.

The ceremony included remarks by President Bush and the only living Extra Mile honorees, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Millard & Linda Fuller. Cokie Roberts served as the master of ceremonies. Other speakers included Thomas Kinkade, Artist and Philanthropist, Timothy Flynn, Chairman and CEO, KPMG, Laysha Ward, President of the Target Foundation, and John Johansen, founder of the monument.

Also in attendance were nearly 50 members of the honorees' families including descendents of honorees Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington.

The current leaders of those organizations whose founders were honored were also in attendance, including Goodwill Industries, Easter Seals and many more.

A Student delegation from Harriet Tubman Elementary School, Washington, DC also took part and a representative from that school assisted Mrs. Bush in unveiling the final plaque before it was lowered into position.

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