Bengfort.com

To read the news today is to wobble between two competing emotions — undeniable hope and overwhelming fear. We feel certain that the promise of America remains, but unsure as to how we might contribute.

Such a time calls for us to embrace powerful ideas and turn them into realities that are an investment in the future of our country. One such idea is the U.S. Public Service Academy. The Public Service Academy would, like the military academies, focus on producing graduates dedicated to service.

Rather than preparing its students for a military career, however, the Public Service Academy would prepare students for work in health care, law enforcement, emergency management and other public service careers at all levels of government.

As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, I know firsthand the power such an institution has to bring together Americans of a variety of backgrounds and beliefs and give them the tools to lead with creativity and intelligence. As a Truman Scholar, I know firsthand the strength of conviction of my generation and its dedication to the ideal of public service. This is an idea whose time has come.

The academy is more than just an idea, however—bills have been introduced in both houses of Congress. Currently, there are 24 co-sponsors of the bill in the Senate and 123 in the House, drawn from both parties and excited enough to state publicly their support for a national institution dedicated to producing the next generation of civic leaders.

I urge all North Dakotans to write or call Sen. Dorgan, Sen. Conrad, and Rep. Pomeroy to encourage them to join together in support of the U.S. Public Service Academy. For more information, visit www.uspublicserviceacademy.org.