Bush pushes legislation for 'faith-based' groups

President Bush signs the declaration, "Fulfilling the Promise of America," Monday morning in the White House Rose Garden.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Monday played host to an event at the White House praising volunteers in so-called faith-based groups and calling on Congress to pass legislation that would allow religious groups to receive public funds for social service efforts.

"This is an example of the greatness of our country, where people ask the question, 'What can I do to help?' and then not wait for some government activity to take place but do it anyway in spite of government," Bush said at the Rose Garden event. "I want to thank all of you for serving as fantastic examples."

The president spoke at a ceremony honoring the youth mentoring, education and community service organization, America's Promise, founded by Secretary of State Colin Powell in 1997 and currently led by former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot.

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Bush's faith-based proposals must overcome opposition from many who fear that providing federal funds to religious organizations would violate the Constitutional principle of the separation of church and state.

The White House says that safeguards would be in place to make sure the religious groups do not use the money to proselytize. But some prominent religious leaders have said the bigger danger is not religion intruding on government, but government intruding on religion.

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In January, Bush announced the creation of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, a new office focused solely on helping religious and community groups obtain federal tax dollars to fund social service work.

The agency would distribute billions of federal dollars to a variety of religious groups and charities over the next 10 years.

In essence, the groups would be competing with a number of established organizations -- including federal agencies -- for a set amount of tax dollars.

The plan marks a strategic shift for the U.S. government, making private and "faith-based" charities the administration's first line of defense against social problems such as poverty, addiction and homelessness.

The package would allow religious groups to compete with secular organizations for federal dollars to pay for after-school programs, drug treatment counseling, meal assistance and other programs. In addition, the plan includes broader tax deductions for Americans who make regular charitable donations.

The president also issued a challenge that Congress move on his education proposals.

"This Congress needs to get an educational reform bill on my desk before the summer recess," Bush said. "We had a bill pass out of the House by broad margin, a bill pass out of the Senate by broad margin. There is no need for further delay. It is time to get a good reform bill."