President Bush Helps Build Home
WACO, Texas (AP) - President Bush, adding a touch of hammer-and-nail symbolism to his monthlong working vacation, hurt his hand Tuesday while helping build a Habitat for Humanity home.
``I spilled some blood for volunteerism,'' the president said as he arrived at a completed Habitat home to talk about his experience and urge greater efforts to promote home ownership.
``The only thing I have in my mind today is to ask the American people to volunteer in their neighborhoods,'' Bush said.
The president had a Band-Aid on his hand after the construction accident.
At a construction site a block away, Bush, wearing a blue polo shirt, jeans, hiking boots and a Habitat hat, had joined about 50 other volunteers near downtown Waco - about a half-hour from his ranch. First lady Laura Bush, Housing Secretary Mel Martinez and Texas Gov. Rick Perry also pitched in.
Before swinging the hammer, Bush bowed his head for a prayer by Pastor Joe Carbajal, who praised the president. ``The things that you speak about on a daily basis are important to our nation, to our families, to Habitat for Humanity,'' he said.
During the prayer, a protester shouted ``jail to the thief.''
The presidential work session fits neatly into a vacation public relations strategy aimed at underscoring the value Bush places on home and family, and keeping busy at the government's work while vacationing at his 1,600-acre Crawford ranch.
After the 15 minutes at the housing site, Bush's schedule called for him to move to another location for a half-hour talk about the values of homeownership and the administration's drive to intensify government aid to religious-based volunteer activities such as those conducted by the Habitat project.
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization that has a partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Bush joined the group in June to build a home in Tampa. Former President Carter is Habitat for Humanity's most famous volunteer.
Bush's ``charitable choice'' initiative would allow religious institutions to compete for a share of the social-services money that the government distributes. The proposal has drawn criticism from those who say it would violate the Constitution's required separation of church and state.
The proposal has passed the House and awaits action in the Senate.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan, referring to the visits the president will make around the country during his vacation said, ``We all share a responsibility to help a neighbor in need and there is no better way for the president to begin his 'heartland tour' than highlighting Habitat's great acts of compassion and community.''
Originally published August 08, 2001.
