My family and Deputy Secretary John Porcari's family serving in Rock Creek Park;
stay tuned to the Fast Lane for more on DOT service activities
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"
And each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call-to-service initiative. It asks Americans from all walks of life to work together and give something back to their community.
The DOT family has participated annually in this celebration of Dr. King's legacy, and we'll be pitching in again this year. However, because this year's Day of Service corresponds with our Presidential Inauguration, the Obama Administration is making a special call for a spectacular turnout of volunteers--not just in Washington, DC, but nationwide.
President Obama believes that service should be a lifelong commitment—whether it's at the school, community, city, state, or national level. And because the President thinks that, "We are better together," he and his family are continuing the tradition they started four years ago with a National Day of Service on January 19th, 2013.
Today, Americans are volunteering in increasing numbers, and interest in national service and civic participation continues to grow. Building on this momentum, we encourage all Americans to serve on MLK Day and long after the Inauguration. As President Obama has said, “America's never been about what can be done for us; it's about what can be done by us together.”
And to make it easier to find a service opportunity, the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Committee has a convenient one-stop online site to help. Just plug in the zip code where you want to lend a hand, and let the National Day of Service search tool do the rest.
I'll be serving with my family and other volunteers this Saturday. I hope you'll join us in service wherever it's convenient for you.
Need some motivation to get online and find a service opportunity near you? Remember Dr. King's words: "Everyone can be great...because anyone can serve."
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