http://uspublicserviceacademy.org America Deserves Our Best Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:58:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I have a foggy memory of the political fights that went on many years ago to grant an observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday as a federal holiday. I recall that it went in stages: first there were non-binding resolutions which acknowledged that his leadership on civil rights ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2010/01/18/its-a-day-on-how-to-help-even-if-you-are-off/ Last week, the New York Times wrote a story on the findings of a study on the graduates of a marquee teacher training program, Teach For America.  The study's aim was to find out what the level of civic engagement was for the alums of the program, after they completed ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2010/01/12/the-academy-and-tfa-a-match-made-in-public-service-heaven/ As a Regional Coordinator for the USPSA, I oversee the all-volunteer force of our Youth Advisory Council for seven western states.   In each state we have a national representative and in some cases a state coordinator.  We all work together to pursue endorsements from our personal rolodexes, local media, local ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2009/12/10/grassroots-are-growing/ I am proud to report that we have scored yet another Op-Ed about the Academy and this time it is written by me.  It was published this morning in the Marin Independent Journal, so cool!  Please take a moment to read it and please comment, forward the link, post to ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2009/11/06/another-op-ed/ We now have 70 co-sponsors in the House!!!  Let this inspire you to contact your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor HR 2102.  You can find out who your Rep is by clicking here and typing in your Zip code. Thanks to our newest supporters: Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL) Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL) Rep. ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2009/11/02/three-more-co-sponsors/ Great news!  We have just added TEN new co-sponsors to our bill in the House!  H.R. 2102 now has the co-sponsorship of the following ten Representatives: Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX) Rep. Al Green (TX) Rep. Howard Berman (CA) Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA) Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (Guam) Rep. Chaka Fattah (PA) Rep. Leonard Boswell ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2009/10/22/co-sponsorship-news-ten-new-co-sponsors/ Starting today, you will notice that your favorite scripted TV shows have something in common: characters that are doing community service projects as part of the normal storylines.  The Entertainment Industry Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the entertainment industry, is supporting the cause of volunteerism and community service with a ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2009/10/19/inspired-to-serve-could-be-what-youre-watching/ Yesterday, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama both highlighted the need for Americans to participate in community service, mainly by being volunteers.  Today, the President continued this message by visiting the 1,000 Points of Light Foundation in Texas, the volunteer organization started by President George H.W. Bush 20 years ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2009/10/16/both-obamas-promote-service/ If you look at our list of college president endorsements, you might notice that we have won the support of many flagship state universities, including Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, Virginia, and (most recently) North Dakota. But you also might notice that we don't have many of the elite private schools. ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2009/09/03/state-flagships-vs-elite-private-colleges/ August 2009 witnessed the passing of a tremendous American who spent decades working to help our nation fulfill its most audacious promises: Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Yes, her brother, Sen. Edward Kennedy, was a tremendous legislator whose death has transfixed much of the nation, but Eunice led an extraordinary life full ... http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2009/09/01/the-loss-of-a-great-american/