What a great privilege it was to see the Bicentennial in the happy faces of Americans as I visited each of the 50 states and the territories. Their individual achievement is the hallmark of this momentous period in our history.

Untold millions were inspired to do "their own thing" for their community, for their country. Once again, the "can do" spirit-the fiber and strength of this nation throughout its 200 yearsmolded the Bicentennial into the most massive volunteer movement in peacetime history. These individuals assured America that it got the Bicentennial it wanted, it deserved.

Lasting contributions were made all across our nation. Be they restoration or new construction, educational or cultural programs, or simply the achievement of all the diverse factions of a community having come together to work in harmony for the Bicentennial-they will remain long after the fireworks, the parades and the rhetoric have faded away.

Along with citizen participation came a great learning experience. Americans added to their knowledge of history, particularly of the significance of our blueprints of government in our daily

lives-the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We learned how and why those blueprints have enabled this nation, although young in years, to become the oldest continuously surviving democratic republic on earth.

I believe that we now have a better understanding of our past-its greatness as well as its faults-and a better understanding of how all faiths and all nationalities have brought-and continue to bring-something of themselves to American life. We are proud of the richness and the diversity of our many cultures. We are, and always will be, a nation of nations.

The responsibility of the federal government and the state Bicentennial commissions, working together in a totally nonpartisan manner, was to help organize local committees and otherwise encourage citizen participation. We did our best, and our reward is clearly expressed by a short handwritten note I shall always cherish. From a small community came: "Thank you Mr. Government for helping us celebrate in our own way."

To the millions of Bicentennial volunteers-this book is dedicated.

John W. Warner