Americans will be grappling with a number of sensitive and critical issues throughout 2013 and beyond.  Some new, some old and some never-ending – concerns about race, religion, violence, politics, guns, climate change, war and civic responsibility are just some of the issues that may polarize all or segments of the nation.  We The People will bring awareness to different viewpoints in the hopes of educating its readership.  Please be encouraged to join in and share your perspective.

Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Top 10 Things You Need to Know …

Source:  White House

U.S. to Step Up Local Food Aid Purchases

Source:  U.S. Department of State

Washington — The United States plans to buy more of its food aid from local and regional markets near areas experiencing crisis, says the country’s top aid official.

The scaling back of food aid purchased from American producers and shipped to crisis areas on U.S.-flagged ships is one way that the Obama administration proposes to provide humanitarian assistance more efficiently than it has in the past, said Rajiv Shah, administrator of the U.S. Agency for international Development.

“As more efficient tools evolve, we’ve learned that the current approach to food aid has become at times an impediment,” Shah said in an April 10 address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “We have to be more agile and creative in our responses.”  Read more..

Hundreds of Mayors Honor National Service

On Tuesday, the first-ever Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service united mayors across the country to spotlight the impact of national service and honor those who serve.

Altogether, 832 mayors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico officially recognized the work that AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers are doing to make cities better and stronger. Together, these mayors represent nearly 100 million citizens, or nearly one-third of all Americans.

With so many mayors participating, there are numerous stories and pictures to share. Below is just a brief overview of events to give you an idea of the scope of the day.

Also, check out our Facebook gallery, which features photos from recognition events all around the country. Feel free to tag yourself or your program, and share with your friends and family.  Read more..

Local Involvement

Related articles

• Food aid for the 21st century (politico.com)
• Aid reform delivering results (thehill.com)
• It’s Time to Reform USAID (businessweek.com)
• Obama Plan Shifts Aid From Bunge to Africa Farmers (bloomberg.com)
• We The People (beenetworknews.com)
• Mayor Nutter to Lead 832 Mayors From Across the United States in Marking the 1st Annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service (cityofphiladelphia.wordpress.com)
• Mayor’s Day of Recognition for National Service (mayorsharonwolcott.wordpress.com)