Obama urges grads to enter public service

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Obama urges grads to enter public service

By Richard Hartman May 25 2008, 10:53 PM

Clad in a black academic robe on Sunday, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) received an honorary doctorate from Wesleyan University and delivered the commencement address in place of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last week.

Mostly avoiding presidential politics, Senator Obama's speech instead took on Kennedy's intended topic and urged college graduates Sunday to "make us believe again" by dedicating themselves to public service.

With references to the Kennedy family legacy of urging Americans to ask what they can do for their country, creating the Peace Corps, and talking about people creating "ripples of hope," Senator Obama took on the role of a responsible chief executive and started recruiting students to consider working in public service.

Obama spoke of his own entry into public service when he was a young man "adrift" and eventually decided he wanted to work at the "grassroots level to bring about change." He said that he would not be "standing here today if not for the service of others, and wouldn’t be standing here today if not for the purpose that service gave my own life."

"We may disagree as Americans on certain issues and positions, but I believe we can be unified in service to a greater good," Obama told Wesleyan University's Class of 2008. "I intend to make it a cause of my presidency, and I believe with all my heart that this generation is ready and eager and up to the challenge."

Though he did not mention it in his address, one way for Senator Obama to continue the Kennedy legacy early in his administration would be to support a Senate bill (S.960) sponsored by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) to create the U.S. Public Service Academy. Modeled on the military service academies, the U.S. Public Service Academy will be America's first national civilian college, a flagship institution designed to develop leaders of character dedicated to service in the public sector.

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Mark Pan
May 28, 2008 3:21 PM

As a college student, I only wish that this US Public Service Academy had already existed when I was a senior in high school applying to colleges, as this would fully accommodate my passion for service. From hearing his speech and knowing his background, The US Public Service Academy perfectly embodies much of what Obama is urging young people of America: giving back in whatever ways they can. Not everyone is a good fit for the military academies, but everyone deserves a chance to serve their country. S. 960 would provide that opportunity for those who can't afford to dedicate their lives in the (currently) low-paying public sector. It would put public service on a pedestal for not just America, but the world, demonstrating its importance and prestige. It would be a crucial reconciliation within Clinton supporters, Obama supporters, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and the American people. Let's start rebuilding America with this much-needed educational institution! Thank you, ohmygov seniorexec, and thank you, Senator Obama, for highlighting the importance of public service.

Will Petrovic
May 28, 2008 3:58 PM

I absolutely agree that Obama should support the U.S. Public Service Academy bill. America needs a national civilian college, and public servants are essential for the future of our nation.

Erik Rison
May 28, 2008 5:38 PM

Service to our nation is a keystone practice in civic involvement. I believe President John F. Kennedy said it the best, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." The US Public Service Academy would be very different from the Peace Corps, though. We would be educating our best and brightest from a diverse set of backgrounds and locations in exchange for five years of public service to make our nation run efficiently and successfully. As a patriot and a service oriented American, I would have gladly taken this opportunity if the Service Academy was in existance during my college application process. In fact, my generation agrees; according to a poll done by SocialSpheres, a margin of 7 to 1 Millennials support the idea of having a Public Service Academy. More than half of those who supported the Academy in the polling said that they would be likely to apply to a Service Academy. These young people believed that public service is good training for future employment, regardless of sector, that public service is an effective way to solve some of our nation’s problems, and that political leaders are not doing enough to encourage public service. I respectively say that both the Democratic nominee and the Republican nominee for president would be well adviced to support the US Public Service Academy movement. America is meeting a generation who not only believes in the importance of public service, but also has the desire to serve themselves. All that we ask is that you give us the opportunity.

Robert Johnson
May 28, 2008 5:38 PM

Obama Support the United States Public Service Academy

Benji Kim
May 28, 2008 5:56 PM

As a high school junior, I will soon be entering the time to apply to a college. I strongly believe, that if the USPSA was existent to day, there is without a doubt that it will be my first choice on college choice. This is such a golden idea. Obama, please support the USPSA.

Glenn Means
May 28, 2008 6:06 PM

I agree that the United States Public Service Academy should be built and that if I had the opportunity to go to such a wonderful institution I would have. Public Service is such a crucial part of American society and with Baby Boomers getting ready to retire we will be in desperate need of more people to enter these rewarding fields of work. Obama spoke on giving back and helping others and with this Academy that would more then triple service workers in our nation. With each graduating class we would have more service workers entering fields and serving in communities that need our help. This would not only make our country stronger but our world such a better place. Thank you ohmygov seniorexec and thank you, Senator Obama for mentioning and talking about such a pertinent issue that needs to be brought up in our society today. If we build this Academy we will be making a great change for the future.

Brett Dinkins
May 28, 2008 7:20 PM

Obama is reiterating on what many of whom are to be considered as great american presidents have acknowledged; the need of public service. From Washington's idea of a Public Service Academy to Kenedy's memorable qoute "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" many presidents have recognized the need for public service. The USPSA is a great way to organize the development of Public Service Leaders for our country. I wish I would of had the oppurtunity to apply to the USPSA and hope that the current political bodies will work to make the USPSA a reality for my children, their children, and all future generations.

James Frierson
May 28, 2008 9:27 PM

The public service academy is great! I love it.

Sean Feeney
May 29, 2008 12:31 AM

Obama should definitely co-sponsor the US Public Service Academy! Both he and McCain like to talk about public service, but they haven't made the commitment to support it yet! It would be an excellent way to detract from one of Clinton's few achievements and earn the rest of the delegates.

Nichalaus Sims
May 29, 2008 1:04 PM

7 in 8 Millenials agree, the US Public Service Academy is a great idea! Senator Obama the US Public Service Academy and the future of America needs your support to bring about the change we believe in! http://uspublicserviceacademy.org/blog/2008/05/12/poll-results-proof-positive-millenials-support-the-academy/

Emily Pinto
May 30, 2008 12:29 AM

I'm so glad that Senator Obama has such a strong focus on public service and its importance for our nation's youth, and I'm hopeful that as the weeks pass and Mrs. Clinton is likely elimated from the running, Sen. Obama will distance himself less from the idea solely on her account, recognizing just what a promise it has in store for our country and how much good could be done on the nonprofit front. More teachers, police officers, doctors, social workers, lawyers, and more, all dedicated to public service? what's not to love?

Joshua Maye
May 31, 2008 6:31 PM

As a junior and a resident of the Nation's Capitol, it is essential to have the nation's first civilian academy, because the support of civil servants is just as important as the support of military personnel. I urge Sen. Obama to co-sponsor S-960, because even he realizes this nation would not be where it is, if it was not for the help of civil servants. Best believe if the academy was around when I was applying for college, it would have been my only choice, because public service both military and civilian means the world to me and its the only way I know.

Doug Bojack
May 31, 2008 11:12 PM

The US Public Service Academy offers students passionate about their government a way to give back to their community. The creation of such a school would harness youth service and propel our country forward through a new generation of public servants.