Politics and "A Call to Service"

Last Thursday, February, 21st was an eventful day at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. In addition to the Democratic Presidential Debate, we also hosted the 12th Annual Barbara Jordan National Forum on Public Policy. Barbara Jordan was a passionate believer in public service. In her own words, "Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us." Although I have been a member of the Forum committee since September and was first inspired by Barbara Jordan's words during orientation in August, it was not until the forum that I really connected the impact that her beliefs, ideas, and service has and had on so many people. She was and continues to be an inspiration for many who chose to "serve" their community or our nation in some way.

Speakers at the Forum, including two current Texas Legislators, shared their stories of how Barbara Jordan made a direct impact and was an inspiration for their entrance into public service as elected officials. The keynote speaker, Harold Ford, Jr., a former congressman from Tennessee (my home state) and current president of the Democratic Leadership Council, spoke about creating a federal program through which college may be payed for completely if students committed to "National Service" for a set number of years after graduation. This idea is not new and it seems each Presidential nominee has some plan involving service. Senator Clinton and Senator Obama each purpose a tuition credit if a student serves several years post graduation.

This indicates to me an overall agreement that Service is good, an idea popular enough
to have permeated into political campaigns on both sides of the isle. It also reiterates the importance of having sound research and a program plan that will survive the legislative process and create real and lasting effects for the desired participants: America's youth.

Later this week I will blog about my new or more developed thoughts as my research has prompted me, but today I wanted to discuss some of the ways I heard the idea of "service" being discussed last week by elected officials and current presidential candidates. I believe it is important while researching, developing, and solidifying one's argument to take a step back and look around to what is being said by current leaders or being written in magazines and newspapers. Honestly, I was completely reinvigorated, inspired, and re-motivated about this topic of Service and wanted to share my excitement with others!