President John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address, boldy challenged Americans and those of my generation, asking us “not what our country can do for us; but what we can do for your country”…..and the Peace Corps was born!

Now, almost half a century later, soon to be President Barack Obama, picks up JFK’s torch to once again challenge a new generation to get involved and participate in shaping America’s future.

Obama speaks:

"When you choose to serve — whether it’s your nation, your community or simply your neighborhood — you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans. That’s why it’s called the American dream."

As the new administration takes shape, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will call on Americans from every walk of life to serve. President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden will expand national service programs like AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps and will create new service organizations to meet the nation’s challenges head on:

• a Classroom Corps to help underserved schools
• a Health Corps to serve in the nation’s clinics and hospitals
• a Clean Energy Corps to achieve the goal of energy independence
• a Veterans Corps to support the Americans who serve by standing in harm’s way

Obama and Biden will call on citizens of all ages to serve. They’ll set a goal that all middle school and high school students engage in 50 hours of community service a year, and develop a plan for all college students who engage in 100 hours of community service to receive a fully-refundable tax credit of $4,000 for their education. Obama and Biden will encourage retiring Americans to serve by improving programs available for individuals over age 55, while at the same time promoting youth programs such as Youth Build and Head Start.

The Obama-Biden administration’s volunteer initiatives are still taking shape, but take a moment now to let us know that you’re interested, and we’ll keep you posted on all the latest developments.

Please CLICK HERE and enter your information if you’re interested in serving the nation — and contributing your energy and efforts to confronting the problems we face together.

AROUND the BLOGOSPHERE:

New president not JFK and not a novelty - Editorial - Kennedy also created the Peace Corps in 1961, a great legacy to leave. Unfortunately, Kennedy was killed just as he was beginning to have an aggressive domestic agenda, yet the legend of Kennedy lives on much stronger than his policies …

Obama Echoes JFK’s ‘ask not what your country can do for you … - The Obama Administration will call on Americans to serve in order to meet the nation’s challenges. President-Elect Obama will expand national service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps and will create a new Classroom Corps to help …

JFK And Obama - A Shared Generational Experience And The 2008 … - He proposed a volunteer Peace Corps, and my generation all wanted to serve abroad in the Peace Corps. He said we would be going to the moon before the end of the decade, and we all wanted to be astronauts. That was heady stuff for my …