2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade Press Release

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 [email protected]. Regularly updated information will be provided to the public and the media on our website, www.pic2009.org. ###