Here’s an excerpt:

“Whereas, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina illustrated the importance of volunteerism and public service, and exposed serious weaknesses in education, health care, law enforcement, emergency management, and other critical public sector fields at the local, state, and national levels; and

Whereas, many areas in our nation remain underserved and, as a result, are most affected by a lack of qualified, committed, and mobilized public servants in times of crisis; and

Whereas, the high cost of undergraduate education and the comparatively modest salaries of many important public sector posts deter many students from careers in public service…

[We aim to] better prepare the next generation of public servants to meet the austere domestic challenges our country will face in the near and distant future;

Now, Therefore I, Bill Richardson, Governor of the State of New Mexico, do hereby proclaim March 1, 2009 as U.S. Public Service Academy Day