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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..
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.
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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