AmeriCorps Swears In Thousands Of Volunteers At MOA
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- AmeriCorps inducted its first members 20 years ago, and on Friday the service organization swore in thousands of new volunteers nationwide.
President Obama administered the AmeriCorps oath from the White House. Former president Bill Clinton, who was in office when AmeriCorps started, was also part of the live broadcast.
About 1,100 of the new AmeriCorps members are from Minnesota and they took the pledge together at the Mall of America rotunda. Serve Minnesota's Lisa Winkler said it's a special event.
"There's a real sparkle in people's eyes, there's a lot of energy and enthusiasm," she said.
Serve Minnesota is Minnesota's state commission for AmeriCorps.
Lisa Winkler Interview
The AmeriCorps oath isn't very long, but Winkler said it has lots of meaning to those taking it.
The oath:
I will get things done for America, to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I will take action.
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member, and I'm getting things done!
"The last line of the pledge is kind of a rallying call, and it's 'getting things done'," said Winkler "At that last word, the whole crowd erupts into applause and congratulations and hugs. It's a pretty moving event."
Among the dignitaries taking part in the ceremony at the Mall are former Senator Dave Durenberger and the son of the late Paul Wellstone.
"Senators Durenberger and Wellstone brought the legislation to Congress in 1993, so it has that Minnesota connection," Winkler said.
