Editorial: We must answer King's call to serve

As we remember the civil rights icon the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. today, parts of his famously eloquent speeches will be repeated. Yet in these trying economic times, and on the eve of a historic presidential inauguration, one of his simpler declarations rings especially true:

"We have an opportunity to make a better nation."

The country is celebrating the memory of its greatest civil rights leader the same week its first African-American president takes office. As if completing the circle, King's words laid the historical groundwork for President-elect Barack Obama's "Yes, we can."

When King spoke of a better nation, he often encouraged community service. In that same spirit, Obama has called for a national day of service today, the federal holiday commemorating King's birthday. It's a theme the Obama administration is expected to emphasize over the next four years.

President John F. Kennedy famously challenged citizens: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." President George H.W. Bush talked of "a thousand points of light," referring to volunteers and other public servants. But Obama's declaration of King's birthday as a day of service has a special resonance this year.

If the unprecedented enthusiasm of last year's campaign and election translates into higher levels of volunteerism and community service, all Americans will benefit.

Today former Secretary of State Colin Powell will serve as the keynote speaker for the United Negro College Fund/General Mills Foundation's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast. The theme of the event is "Because of his dream, I can ... lead, grow, inspire." And Tuesday, when Barack Obama becomes President Obama, he will no doubt emphasize service in his inaugural address.

Obama could have pursued a high-paying East Coast job after Harvard. Instead he moved to Chicago and worked as a community organizer in low-income neighborhoods.

As more people lose their jobs and homes and local governments cut services, the need for community services becomes more urgent. While government-sponsored safety net programs are vitally important, we must look to each other -- and ourselves -- for solutions.

During the campaign, Obama used the Internet to generate campaign contributions. Just as important, many Americans donated time to work on the campaign. The hope is that the campaign network can now be put to use -- and expanded -- for civic engagement and action.

Tough times tend to bring out the best in human nature. Time and again Americans have shown that they can overcome even the most serious challenges and work for common good.