I write tonight to bring attention to an initiative that has slowly but steadily begun building solid support in both houses of Congress for the past several years.
This idea, which I believe will change our image of American public service, was not produced by a think tank or by a D.C. focus group.
I am proud to announce my full and aggressive support of the creation of a United States Public Service Academy.
Having been involved with Teach for America in Houston for some years now, I come into contact with scores of TFA alumni who now serve as business and community leaders in all areas. One such alumnus is Shawn Raymond, now a Houston-based attorney, who with fellow TFA alum Chris Myers Asch began pursuing this inspiring cause.
Their mission in creating a U.S. Public Service Academy?
(as quoted from www.uspublicserviceacademy.org)
"The mission of the United States Public Service Academy is to build a corps of civilian leaders who have the moral character, academic training, and leadership experience necessary to serve the American people honorably and effectively, and who are committed to devoting their lives to public service."
The Academy is to be modeled after the United States’ prestigious military academies. Like our military academies, the PSA will be academically rigorous and will require a significant post-graduate service commitment. A rigorous admission process (complete with congressional nomination) will admit 1275 stellar candidates each year for a four year course of study. This one, however, will produce a public corps of civilian leaders in such capacities as education, law enforcement, emergency response, and others targeted specifically to meet critical national needs.
As these founders point out, our nation faces critical shortages in these areas of public service. It is, as many of us have come to realize, legitimately a matter of national security as well as domestic health. Despite this fact, no federal public service academy is in existence today. How do we best serve our country? By stepping up, as Raymond and Asch have done, to prioritize service to our fellow citizens just as highly as we prioritize military prowess.
As young thirty-somethings, these founders believe Public Service Academy can be a powerful reflection of the patriotism and commitment of our nation’s young citizens; we have what it takes, they believe, and the job is up to us.
Senator Hillary Clinton has agreed to help craft and introduce this legislation; others of the same caliber, and from both sides of the aisle, are catching on. What will make the difference? Strong and swift public support organized by we the activist community.
I am interested in beginning a discussion about how to build support for a PSA; this is truly one of the BEST and most inspiring ideas I have heard of in my life. In addition, it’s distinctly sensible and imminently possible.
TALK AWAY!
www.uspublicserviceacademy.org