Usher, Laura Bush Say 'Yeah!' to ServiceNation
He's probably the most notable and famous hip-hop and R&B star in the world, but when Usher Raymond IV—simply known as Usher—joins first lady Laura Bush and a stage of political, philanthropic, and media stars on 9/11 in New York, his voice won't be offering songs. Instead, he'll be offering his support for the ServiceNation Summit that kicks off a campaign to expand voluntary community national service. "National service is obviously a way to address social challenges like education, like the environment, public health, fighting poverty, disaster relief like the Gulf Coast and Katrina and Gustav," he tells Whispers during a break in shooting his latest music video. "I also believe that we have the ability to see our nation and generation become known as generation S," he adds. "What is generation S? It's ages 18 and under that are making a difference." The music star plans to further explain his generation S agenda during the event this week. Usher is the Youth Chair of ServiceNation, and it's due less to his popularity and songs like the award-winning "Yeah!" than to his New Look agenda built around helping kids get involved in their communities. His latest New Look program is called "I Can't But You Can," which trains kids 17 and younger to register Americans to vote.
"I am blessed to be a blessing to others," he says during two phone calls lasting 20 minutes.
The summit will feature separate appearances by Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain, where they will answer questions in a similar forum to the recent Saddleback event.
Laura Bush will be among the featured guests, says the White House. "We are excited to have Mrs. Bush join us at such an historic event," says Alan Khazei, CEO of Be The Change Inc., and one of the major organizers. "As somebody who has promoted volunteerism and civic engagement for the past eight years as first lady, Mrs. Bush has a wealth of experience that will make the ServiceNation Summit that much more meaningful and help us further elevate service as a core ideal of our democracy," he adds.
The event lasts two days and will include others like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Jordan's Queen Noor, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.
Back to Usher. As a leader among kids, he believes what a wave of new polls claim: That America's youth volunteer more than previous generations and that they are into the work less for money than to better their communities. "Change," says Usher, "always comes from the masses and youth has been at the center of that. Youth has always been the leader of change." Usher, a supporter of Obama, adds that his goal is not politically driven. "It is my personal mission to empower youth," he says.
Tags: Barack Obama | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Michael Bloomberg | Laura Bush | Hillary Clinton | John McCain | Charlie Crist
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First Lady Laura Bush public support for National Service
Below is a question I hope ServiceNation will ask of the Candidates, and 2003 reply from the 1st Lady's office.
1 of 3 replies from the White House, after I wrote to 200+ individual staff on the value of replacing the Selective Service System with a voluntary Participatory Citizenship System, with superior registration and feedback requirements.
My specific interest since 1980 was the creation of a Youth Energy Efficiency Corps to counterbalance a future U.S. war in the Persian Gulf.
I hope the First Lady, Usher and the many other leaders have a good time, and talk about real policy choices rather than another feel good pep-rally, that is more show then substance.
Question:
As a 30-year advocate for replacing the Selective Service System with a National Service System I find myself in a gray zone between liberals and conservatives. I have advocated a 1979 Congressional bill that would have provided a service-learning challenge to male and female youth by having them register at 17, be encourage to debate the meaning of constructive citizenship with their friends, families, if in school, in school; and at 18 give a simple starting reply of yes, no, or maybe until age 23. This reply would start them on the path of finding a program, activity they desire to volunteer for be it in a variety of community or military contracted periods of service, and in the long-term provide a pragmatic approach towards community based participatory citizenship.
I hope all Presidential Candidates will go on record, and ask their fellow Congressional candidates to also go on record towards a robust, 100-day debate and vote on this national wake-up call!
Sorry for the complexity of the question.
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I am one foolish military veteran that finds it hard to communicate with those that claim to be leaders in our society, responsible for finding the best solutions this nation must consider as a viable future. I hope YOU agree, and help make this happen!
Peter P Jesella
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 24, 2003
Dear Mr. Jesella:
Thank you for the letter expressing your views. We welcome the perspective of people who, like you, care a great deal about important issues and have taken the time to write.
We have noted your comments and shared your letter with the appropriate members of the White House staff.
Sincerely,
Anne Heiligensten
Director of Projects
Office of Laura Bush
Five years later, and still more talk, and little legislative action that creates meaningful change in each community across this vast nation.
One can only hope this event gets the sustained attention of the media, the voters, and candidates for the U.S. Congress. before and after the elections.
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