WASHINGTON
– Today the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced the
speakers and performers who will kick off the 57th
Presidential Inauguration at the Service Summit on the National Mall as
part of President Obama’s National Day of Service. Speaking and
performing at the Service Summit will be National Day of Service
Honorary Chair Chelsea Clinton, PIC Co-Chair Eva Longoria,
singer-songwriter Ben Folds, Iraq war veteran and Delaware Attorney
General Beau Biden, American Heart Association spokesperson and
television personality Star Jones, actress Angela Bassett, gospel
singer Yolanda Adams, U.S. Rep and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth,
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and the Washington Children’s Choir.
The event will be emceed by 94.7 Fresh FM host Tommy McFly.
Each speaker will highlight one of seven themes of service: community
resilience, economic development, education, environment, faith,
health, and veterans and military families.
The public can sign up for the Service Summit on the National Mall at
http://www.2013pic.org/service/dc.
Nearly 100 service organizations will be on hand conducting service
projects and training citizens to serve in their communities throughout
the coming year. Volunteers can paint a portable mural for a D.C.-area
school with Greater DC Cares or work with faith-based organizations to
craft cards for hospitalized and foster care children. The Red Cross
will offer CPR and AED training, and First Book will fill backpacks
with new books for children in need. With a series of hands-on
activities, Share Our Strength will teach ways to select healthy foods
on a budget. Roots and Shoots will have kid-friendly crafts that make
use of recycled materials to protect migratory birds and the American
Legion will be working with volunteers to make “Valentines for Vets.”
“We could not be more excited that so many distinguished Americans are
answering the President and Vice President’s call to serve,” said PIC
spokeswoman Addie Whisenant. “The service fair on the National Mall
will undoubtedly capture the spirit of shared commitment and ongoing
service so important to President Obama, Vice President Biden and their
families.”
In response to a call to action from President Obama, thousands of
Americans across the country are rolling up their sleeves and getting
involved in the National Day of Service to strengthen their communities
and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2009,
President Obama and the First Lady started the tradition of holding a
National Day of Service the weekend before the swearing-in. President
Obama has always believed that everyone has something they can
contribute to their community, and that America works best when
neighbors help neighbors.
More information on the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee and the
National Day of Service can be found at
www.2013pic.org and on Twitter
@obamainaugural. The official hashtag of the
National Day of Service is #iserve.
Full list of organizations participating in the Service Summit on the
Mall:
###
For
Immediate
Release: Thursday, January 17, 2013
Presidential Inaugural Committee Announces Cabinet Members to
Participate in National Day of Service
WASHINGTON— The
Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that fifteen members
of President Barack Obama’s Cabinet will take part in the National Day
of Service on January 19.They will join Americans in all 50 states
who are serving as part of the kick off to the 57th Presidential
Inauguration.
The
secretaries
have
also pledged to perform
ongoing service at www.pic2013.org/service.
Continuing a tradition the First Family began four years ago,
Inauguration weekend will begin with a National Day of Service to honor
the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteers have
organized events in all 50 states, and the PIC is sponsoring a Service
Summit on the National Mall with 100 organizations and seven service
projects under one tent. The President and his team have always
believed that our country is strongest when we all work together, when
neighbors help neighbors, and communities find common goals.
“Barack and I have always believed that we all should contribute to our
communities,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “Each and every one of us
can make a difference. My family and I are looking forward to
joining
these members of the Cabinet, along with so many other Americans across
the country, to kick off inauguration weekend and pitch in on the
National Day of Service this Saturday."
The Cabinet secretaries participating in service events are Attorney
General Eric H. Holder, Jr, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank, Labor
Secretary Hilda Solis, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan,
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Education Secretary Arne Duncan,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, Department of Homeland
Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, USTR Ambassador Ron Kirk, UN Ambassador
Susan Rice, Small Business Administrator Karen Mills.
Many of the Cabinet officers and other administration officials are
serving at sites that include AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps is
administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the
federal agency that leads President Obama’s United We Serve Initiative
and engages millions of Americans in service each year.
More information on the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee and the
National Day of Service can be found at www.2013pic.org and on Twitter @obamainaugural. The official hashtag of the
National Day of Service is #iserve.
Below is more detail on cabinet official participation:
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will join
the National Park Service in a project to beautify the Martin Luther
King Jr. memorial.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Ambassador Susan Rice will
be
participating
in
the
Citywide
Food Bank at Trinity Washington
University in Washington, DC. As an emblem of community resilience, the
Citywide Food Bank at Trinity Washington University is on track to be
one of the largest in DC history, with over ten local food pantries and
50 churches coming together to package food to give to families in need.
Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank will
be
participating in a service project at the Marie H. Reed Elementary
School in Adams Morgan. The Marie H. Reed Elementary School serves
students from preschool through 5th grade with a
rigorous
curriculum and school-based programs designed to give students a
well-rounded education and a positive view of their place in the
community. Saturday’s projects will include painting, gardening,
organizing and drawing.
Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will be
participating in a Citizenship and Deferred Action Workshop at the
Hyattsville office of CASA de Maryland. Founded in 1985, CASA de
Maryland is a community organization aimed at improving the quality of
life and creating equal opportunities for low-income Latinos and their
families. At the event, Secretary Solis and approximately 40 volunteers
will be helping over 200 community members start their Citizenship and
Deferred Action applications.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will
be
attending
a
service
event
at the DC Central Kitchen in Washington,
DC. DC Central Kitchen has prepared 25 million meals for low-income and
at-risk neighbors in the DC area. Secretary Sebelius will be assisting
35 volunteers in the preparation of approximately 5000 meals. The
prepared meals will be distributed to community organizations
throughout Washington, DC.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan will
be
travelling
to
New
York
to assist in Hurricane Sandy relief through
Clean Ocean Action at Jones Beach. Clean Ocean Action is a leading
national and Northeastern regional voice working to protect waterways
using science, law, research, education, and citizen action. In the
aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Clean Ocean has gathered thousands of
volunteers to restore the area. At the event, hundreds of volunteers
will be divided to clean up manmade and natural debris from Hurricane
Sandy along Jones Beach.
Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will
participate
in
a
service
project
at Rock Creek Conservancy. Rock Creek
Conservancy is a nonprofit group working to protect and restore Rock
Creek and its waters, parks and lands. Secretary LaHood will be
assisting with cleanup to help protect the health and beauty of the
creek.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be
participating in City Year's Day of Service event at Burrville
Elementary School in Washington, D.C. He will join City Year corps
members, Department staff and school leaders to make math-focused
learning toys that will be used in younger classrooms at Burrville.
Volunteers at the school and surrounding neighborhood will also work on
service projects that include painting murals, maintaining playgrounds,
building benches and planting green spaces.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki will
be
serving breakfast to homeless residents of Washington, DC at a service
event hosted by SOME (So Others Might Eat). SOME is an interfaith,
community-based organization that exists to help the poor and homeless
of our nation¹s capital by offering services such as affordable
housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling to the poor,
the elderly and individuals with mental illness.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will
be
participating
in
a
“Unite
America in Service” event at the DC
Armory, hosted by Points of Light and Target, in partnership with
Operation Gratitude, the Corporation for National and Community
Service, Community Blueprint, Serve DC, HandsOn, Greater DC Cares,
Volunteer Fairfax and the George Washington University. Points of Light
is the world’s leading volunteer organization, with the mission of
inspiring, equipping and mobilizing people to take action that changes
the world. At the event, 10,000 volunteers will be packing 100,000 care
kits filled with necessities for US Service Members, Wounded Warriors,
Veterans and First Responders.
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will be
participating in
a Habitat for Humanity service project in Northeast Washington, the
team will rehab two units, both of which will be built to the Earth
Craft Homes Gold level standard, making them at least 15 percent more
energy-efficient than new homes built only to code. Administrator
Jackson will join 15 volunteers to do building and refurbishing both
inside and outside of the houses.
Ambassador Ron Kirk will be participating in a
service
event at the Capitol Hill Montessori School. Ambassador Kirk will be
assisting in outside work building a greenhouse, moving woodchips into
a children’s play area, and cleaning up the parking lot, and inside
work such as painting, refurbishing painted quotes, hanging
flags, and
performing general touch ups to the building.
Small Business Administrator Karen Mills will join
Year Up to mentor young adults in Boston, MA on Friday, January 18,
2013. Year Up's mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by
providing urban young adults with the skills, experience, and support
that will empower them to reach their potential through professional
careers and higher education.
###
from
http://www.2013pic.org/service/serve
Descriptions of
the seven service themes:
Health
Help promote a healthy neighborhood through service at your area senior
center, health clinic, or Let's Move! initiative.
Education
Put stock in your community’s future by serving in your neighborhood
school, after-school, and early childhood programs.
Community resilience
Reach out and support your friends and neighbors in need through
service with disaster relief organizations, community gardens, and area
shelters.
Economic development
Americans all over the country are starting their own small businesses,
investing in green energy, and rebuilding their communities. Help drive
your local economy by serving at poverty relief centers or the local
businesses that keep your community running.
Veterans and military families
We have a sacred trust with those who serve our nation. Give back to
those who have given so much by serving at facilities that provide
medical and mental health care, or lend a hand with an organization
that honors veterans and military families.
Faith
Give praise through service in an interfaith dialogue, church service,
or faith community effort.
Environment
Better your community by serving with park and river clean-ups,
environmental education campaigns, or animal shelters.