Service over self has been the foundation of the American spirit from the very beginning. In countless ways, large and small, that spirit of service is renewed and revealed every day wherever Americans commit themselves to help others. Now, perhaps more than ever, we need a place to tell the story of service in all its forms. A place and a way to transcend our differences – to bring us together, to remind us and the world of what Americans do when we are truly at our best. A place that celebrates the generosity of spirit — where your neighbor, who is the first to raise their hand when someone is in need, is honored in our nation’s capital. A place that honors the diversity of our great nation — and how far we have come in recognizing it. Where individuals, students, and institutions come together and collaborate to solve complex social problems.