At the annual National Conference on Citizenship, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor publicly endorsed the Public Service Academy for the first time. Speaking in response to a question from Academy Regional Coordinator Daryl Levine, Justice O’Connor said she “always thought it was a good idea” for the U.S. to build a national college that would get top students into government. She said she’d heard about the Academy two years ago and added: “I would like to see it happen and I hope it does one of these days.”

Today was the first day of the Service Nation Summit, currently being held in New York City.  It is a somber anniversary for America of course, but I cannot think of a better way to honor the victims and heroes of the 9/11 attacks than by taking action to invigorate public service in our country.

Since we are an integral part of the Service Nation Organizing Committee, the Academy is being well-represented at the Summit by Chris Myers Asch, David Soo, Daryl Levine, and Chris Lang (and other volunteers and YACers I may not know about!) with the rest of us holding down the forts at home.  (A shout out to Shawn Raymond, Chris’ other half, for sticking it out in Houston in preparation for Hurricane Ike.  Be safe!)  CNN is expected to be broadcasting the Presidential Candidates’ Forum, as well as other broadcast networks.  Both John McCain and Barack Obama will be there and our own David Soo will be asking a question of the candidates!  Please tune in at 8PM EDT and support the Academy and Service Nation.