Read an excerpt from NO GREATER GIFT: HOW A TUITION GUARANTEE PROGRAM CHANGED THE LIVES OF 112 INNER-CITY YOUTH by Norman A. Newberg, forthcoming in Fall 2005 from SUNY Press:

In his public statements, George Weiss often talked about how much the students had taught him -- that they had made a better person of him. They taught him how to be a "mensch" -- a Yiddish word meaning "a caring person" who could be touched by the pain poverty inflicted on innocent children. Giving the gift gave him access to his own feelings. It was much more than a tax break, as some critics suggested. The program connected him to the lives of individual students, their dreams, their limited horizons and opportunities. By providing the gift of a free higher education and supplemental social and academic supports to attain that goal, George felt he was redistributing some of his wealth so that more could share in the American Dream.

The combination of direct contact with students, their families and political and educational leaders won recognition for the Weisses as people committed to making the program work. The purpose of Say Yes, from George's perspective, "is to show people out there that these kids are every way as bright as your kids, or my kids. The difference between these kids is that the Say Yes to Education kids have the odds stacked against them. Give these kids the same nourishment and support, and they will make it." He summarized his reason for starting the program by reintroducing a basic theme in his life -- "making a difference." "If other people are encouraged to stand up and make a difference," he asserted, "because we've shown the way, I think that's basically what I wanted." He wanted his message to reach people in business, school officials, government and volunteers from all walks of life. In this instance, George made a difference by publicizing Say Yes so that others would follow his example.