Kesha Ram, Democratic nominee for Vermont House of Representatives, strongly endorsed the Public Service Academy Act, an initiative to create a civilian counterpart to the military academies.

“The youth of today are our public servants, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers, doctors, and nurses of tomorrow,” Ram said. “That’s why I’m behind this cause. That’s why I’m the first candidate or public official in Vermont to endorse. My generation has so much potential for public service and the Academy is a way to realize that potential.”

The Public Service Academy Act was introduced in March 2007 by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) in the Senate and Rep. James Moran (D-VA) and Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) in the House of Representatives. The bill currently has 19 Senate co-sponsors and 96 House co-sponsors. It also has earned the endorsement of numerous organizations, including City Year, the National Peace Corps Association, and the U.S. Student Association, as well as prominent individuals such as Madeleine Albright, Lee Hamilton, and three former superintendents of West Point.

The Public Service Academy Act will establish America’s first national public college devoted to developing civilian leaders. The Public Service Academy would be a federally-subsidized four-year college modeled on the military service academies. More than 5,000 students would get an intensive undergraduate education focused on service and leadership development. Following graduation, they would be required to serve for five years in education, health care, emergency management, or other public service fields at the local, state, and national levels.

Ram herself has demonstrated an unbelievable capacity for service. Just last year she was one of 65 students to be named a Harry S. Truman Scholar, an award given to exemplary, young public servants.

“I have always felt a need to serve my community,” Ram said. “I have been blessed with so many opportunities and I believe that to whom much is given much is expected. Vermont has given me a world-class college education. I want to give back and keep giving back.”

The Academy is the brainchild of two Teach for America/AmeriCorps alumni, Chris Myers Asch and Shawn Raymond. They have spearheaded a grassroots movement in support of the idea.

“The Academy will transform the way young Americans perceive, prepare for, and pursue public service,” said Asch. “It will reinvigorate our sense of public service and revitalize our public sector. We are proud that a rising star like Kesha stepped up to be our first endorser from Vermont.”