A Day of Service Before the Ceremony

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a National Day of Service. In Washington, D.C., which is preparing for the swearing in of the 44th President of the United States, it was an additional day of celebration. Kid Reporter Christiana Dillard spent Monday morning at a Service Nation event at Ballou High School in South East Washington. She heard a panel discussion that featured California First Lady Maria Shriver, as well as short speeches by Ashton Kusher and Demi Moore, Hill Harper, Toby Maguire, and civil rights leader John Lewis. She spoke one-on-one with Maguire and Harper.

Actor Toby Maguire is best know for his role as Spiderman in the blockbuster super hero movies. He is also, however, Chair of the ServiceNation Ambassadors Council. Christi asked him why ServiceNation is so important to him.

"I believe that service can help," he said. "I feel there is a great need in our country right now and in the world. Service can help boost in a lot of different areas."

During the program, Maguire's remarks followed those of Representative John Lewis of Georgia. Maguire was so emotional after hearing Lewis talk about his Civil Rights experiences in the 1960s that he could hardly speak. He choked back his words and had to take a few minutes before beginning. Christi asked him why he was so moved.

"They were amazing words. They were moving words," he said. "He’s an amazing man and it was great to hear him."

Lewis gave a passiionate speech about his involvement in the 1961 March on Washington lead by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., It was the year King gave his famous "I have a dream" speech. Lewis pointed out that it was also the year Barack Obama was born and the year President John F. Kennedy first took the oath of office. He talked about the need for people to speak out about injustice and to become involved in bringing about positive change.

"Do what you can, what you must to make our country what it should be," he said. Lewis reminded the crowd of about 500 that he was arrested 40 times during the civil rights movement.

After the event, Hill Harper, one of the stars of CSI: NY, and an author, talked to Christi about his friendship with the President-elect. The two attended Harvard Law School together. They have been friends for more than 20 years.

"To see your friend ascend to the level of president is wonderful," he said. He then talked about national service. "Today is a day of national service," he said, "which to me is one of the most important days because it is a day of giving back to the community. No matter how young or old you are, every student, every person can make a difference and make change and give back. We need to let folks know how valuable and important service is. We're encouraging people to do that."

To prove the commitment, everyone, including Harper and some of the other celebrities, marched a block to Simon Elementary School to paint classrooms.

PHOTO: Christi Dillard and actor Hill Harper at Ballou High School in Washington, D.C., on Monday, January 19, 2008. Photo by Suzanne Freeman

Comments

[Muhammad]

You are the best President ever. You are amazing

[Sarah]

Dear Barak Obama,

I think you are great. You are the best !