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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 1/6/2011
SUBJECT: Mayor marks JFK 50th Anniversary with challenge for youth
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator

Mayor marks JFK 50th Anniversary with challenge for youth

 

[Duluth, MN] - Mayor Don Ness urges youth to meet the call to public service as part of the “JFK 50th:Mayors ask what youth can do” program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. On Friday, January 7, 2011, Mayor Don Ness will be speaking about his experience as an elected official and the value of public service to Ethan Fisher's Social Studies class at Central High School . The students are participating in the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Harvard University’s special events to honor the legacy of President Kennedy.

President Kennedy left a lasting legacy which has influenced leaders of many countries, politicians, community leaders, and moved ordinary people to take extraordinary action to serve their country. Mayor Ness will be one of many mayors across the country asking youth to take on President Kennedy’s challenge to serve their country.

“"It's an honor to join mayors from across the country in a discussion with students about the importance of public service in the memory of President Kennedy's call to service 50 years ago. Our country was founded and thrived under the leadership of great men and women who committed their lives to the cause of service to our nation. The students of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Encouraging community engagement is an investment in the future leadership of our country," said Mayor Don Ness.

The Kennedy era helped bring attention to modern science and technology, the responsibility of government to protect civil rights, demonstrated the interconnected nature of global events and cultures, and defined a new role for the presidency in the search for international peace and security. 

In preparation for the Mayor’s visit, Harvard’s Institute of Politics provided each classroom teacher with a copy of President Kennedy’s inaugural address and a curriculum discussing the address, in particular the President’s call to service. The curriculum also looked at the important role a mayor plays in the city. The Mayor’s visit will be documented and presented at the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting on January 20, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

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