FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 11, 2008

Presidential Inaugural Parade to Include Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Alumni

Commitment to Community Service Highlighted by Parade Participants, National Day

of Service

WASHINGTON - Today, in keeping with its commitment to hold inaugural events that
celebrate our common values and reflect our nation's history of community service,
President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's Inaugural
Committee officially extended an offer to the Peace Corps Community and AmeriCorps
Alums to march in the 56th Inaugural Parade. Members of these service
organizations will join representatives from across the country and our Armed
Forces in the historic parade down Pennsylvania Avenue following President-elect
Obama's swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Capitol.

"These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and
commitment to service," said President-elect Obama. "Vice President-elect Biden
and I are proud to have them join us in the parade."

On Monday, January 19th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the President-elect and Vice
President-elect and their families will join Americans across the nation as they
participate in activities dedicated to serving others in their communities. In
1994, Congress passed legislation designating the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
as a national day of community service, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee
will be working to encourage participation in service projects nationwide to honor
the legacy of Dr. King..

Organizations wishing to participate in the parade submitted an application to the

Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC), which then assisted the Presidential
Inaugural Committee in reviewing all of the groups' applications. All told, 1,382
organizations applied to participate, setting a new standard for interest in
marching in the parade.

The Peace Corps Community will include members who served with the corps in the
1960s to the present. Marchers will carry the flags of the countries that Peace
Corps have served over the years. AmeriCorps Alums will include some of the
millions of alumni of national service in this country since John F. Kennedy's
call to service and the conception of VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in
1961.

In addition to these groups, a number of other parade participants also

participate in active community service programs. For instance, the Boy Scouts of
America Troop 358 from Philadelphia has been serving members of their community
for over 55 years, the Jesse White Tumbling Team from Illinois was founded in 1959
to create "hope" for troubled youth, and the Warren County Sheriff's Office
Prevention Partnership from Kentucky raises and distributes money to community
groups and programs that help kids stay away from drugs and violence.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee was assisted in its selection process by a

group of experienced military musicians, who utilized their expertise to help
assess the presentation skills of marching bands, musical acts and drill teams.

All participants in the Inaugural Parade are responsible for paying for their own
lodging and transportation to and from Washington, D.C. The Committee has been
working closely with area governments and civic organizations to facilitate access
to affordable accommodations and would like to encourage citizens from across the
country to reach out and help the Peace Corps Community and AmeriCorps Alums raise
the necessary resources to participate in this historic event.

If you are interested in finding out more about supporting the AmeriCorps Alums
and their participation in the 56th Inaugural Parade, please go to
www.AmeriCorpsAlums.org.

If you are interested in finding out more about supporting the Peace Corps
Community and their participation in the 56th Inaugural Parade, please contact
Anne Baker at (202) 293-7728 or npca@rpcv.org.

Regularly updated information will be provided to the public and the media on our
website, www.pic2009.org.

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