Yesterday, Chris, Melissa, Ijeoma, and I had the opportunity to meet with Virginia 5th District Congressman Tom Perriello.  Congressman Perriello has had an extraordinary career: he has worked with child soldiers through the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the International Center for Transitional Justice in Kosovo, Darfur, and Afghanistan.  Now, at the age of 34, he one of the youngest members of Congress.  He has spent his life working in public service and from our meeting it is clear that he intends to continue supporting national service in any way he can.  We were escorted through the Capitol by Congressman Perriello’s Legislative Counsel, Ericke Cage, who told us that building the U.S. Public Service Academy seemed like a “no-brainer” to him.

More on Congressman Perriello can be found at http://www.slate.com/id/2204124/

Here’s an excerpt of a letter to the editor that I wrote that was recently published in the Dover Post:

Delaware Missing Out on Public Service Academy

In the 110th Congress, Sen. Joe Biden co-sponsored legislation that would create the U.S. Public Service Academy.  Biden was the legislation’s only co-sponsor from Delaware…

The Public Service Academy Act will establish America’s first national public college devoted to developing civilian leaders for the public sector.  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.

Citizens of Delaware sit in an excellent position to influence this timely, bi-partisan legislation.  Specifically, Rep. Mike Castle, as a Republican, can serve as a leader and continue to build Republican support for the Academy.  Sen. Tom Carper, too, holds sway because of his position on key committees.  Citizens of Delaware should take this opportunity to contact their congressional members and ask about Delaware’s future role in the creation of the U.S. Public Service Academy.  Delaware must decide if it wants to finish establishing the legacy that Sen. Biden left for it.

–Melissa

Today was a big day at the US Public Service Academy.  Gracye, Chris, and I had a busy morning on the Hill where we met with congressional staff from NC, IL, VA, FL, and OK.  Upon our return to the office we were pleasantly surprised to find out that Ashton Kutcher had written about us on Twitter!  Thanks Ashton, we always appreciate the shout-outs!

–Kristen