The United States Public Service Academy- Because America Deserves the Best

I graduated from high school in 2004 with a willingness to serve others but without a direction. I mean I was well aware of the fact that college was where many of my friends had been headed. However after 13 years of education that I thought never really involved me, I wasn’t ready for more. This combined with the fact that I wasn’t totally able to afford it. I decided to take sometime off and get a job. This didn’t satisfy my urge to serve, until I found Americorps.

Americorps is the government funded program that encourages public service and provides non-traditional ways for young people like myself to give back. It was why when City Year (a program apart of the Amercorps family) approached me to join them I took it. For the first time in my life not only was I making a real substantial difference, but I was being paid to do it! Not much, but enough to allow me to serve. Everyday for two years of my life City Year- Washington, DC provided me the tools, resources, and stage to increase the literacy scores of young black males and females in our national capital. They entrusted me with the power to show boys who had become accustomed to street corners, drugs, fights, and death that somebody does actually care. Americorps made a huge difference in my life. Now we have the ability to take this outstanding success of a government program and do a whole lot more.

Thanks to Senator Hillary Clinton and Arlen Specter thousands of young people might have the chance to serve their country as a professional. If their bill to create a national academy on public service passes more people like me may get involved in teaching, public safety, fighting terror, or fostering a good economy at home. This bill, the United States Public Service Academy offers the best chance at professionalizing a national civilian corps. Just as West Point, Annapolis, and others made the armed forces the best trained and professional military in the world, this academy can transform the level of service citizens receive from their government. It is why I support it and call on others to do the same.

Senate Bill 960 and House Resolution 1671 are quickly picking up steam around the halls of the Hill. So far more than 90 Representatives have become co-sponsors along with 15 US Senators from both sides of the aisle. They know that know that if given the chance to nominate a young person from their district or state, those young people are very likely to complete their five years of mandatory service back home. They agree that more about 70 cents per student per year America can train the next generation of public servants. People will know that if you want to go into public service this is where you go. These legislators joined by countless numbers of military commanders and a growing number of non-profit leading organizations Catholic Charities and even SEIU get that with an estimated 40% of the federal workforce expected to retire soon, we need replacements ready to lead on day one. They furthermore realized that the lessons from Hurricane Katrina was real, we expect our government to perform when needed. This Academy will do that. Led by my peers on the Youth Council members of Congress in thirty-two states have publicly come out for the bill as has three Presidential candidates on both sides. We would welcome all of you as well.

Joseph Lynn Kitchen Jr.
United States Public Service Academy- Youth Council Member