HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 62 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 2, 2008 Memorializing the Congress of the United States to create a national public service academy. ---------- Patron-- Toscano ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, the United States faces serious domestic and international problems in the 21st century and needs more young people to go into public service as teachers, police officers, nonprofit leaders, and other important public jobs; and

WHEREAS, a national public service academy would provide a consistent flow of highly qualified, service-oriented young leaders; and

WHEREAS, many young people want to serve their country but prefer to serve in a civilian capacity; and

WHEREAS, this country needs a national public service academy that would be the nation's first national college devoted to public service outside of the military; and

WHEREAS, many young people enter college wanting to serve their country, but cannot afford to pursue public service after graduation because of accumulated debt; and

WHEREAS, a national public service academy would give service-minded young people the opportunity to serve their country without enduring financial hardship; and

WHEREAS, a national public service academy would offer a unique campus that is devoted to public service and that will bring young people from every part of the country to live, study, and serve together; and

WHEREAS, a national public service academy would build a corps of civilian leaders who have the moral character, academic training, and leadership experience necessary to serve the American people honorably and effectively and who are committed to devoting their lives to public service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Congress of the United States be urged to create a national public service academy; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.