Remarks as Prepared for CEO Michael D. Smith at the Kennedy Forum Alignment for Progress “Ask Not Awards”

Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to be here tonight representing the Biden-Harris Administration and AmeriCorps, your federal agency for volunteering and national service.

Our 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers - like the 1.3 million alum who served before them - show up every day in 40,000 locations in every state to bring hope and possibility to communities in need.

As a proud son of Springfield, Massachusetts, I want to take a moment to recognize the contributions of my Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and his legacy of courage and creating opportunity for all.

If you want to know what it means to dedicate your life to service, there is no better example than Senator Kennedy. He believed he had a moral obligation to help others in need and that belief was underscored by his tireless fight to spark a spirit of service in the nation.

When President George H.W. Bush created the commission on National and Community Service, Senator Kennedy was there.

When President Clinton was inspired by kids wearing their red City Year jackets to create a historic national service movement, Senator Kennedy was there. He really loved to wear his jacket and we loved seeing him represent City Year.

When the naysayers wouldn't make national service a priority, fighting tooth and nail to make sure no law supported it - Senator Kennedy was there.

And on April 21, 2009, Senator Kennedy was there, standing beside President Obama when he signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act - a landmark bill which reauthorized and expanded national service programs - into law.

That day, President Obama told a story Senator Kennedy used to tell often about how the beauty of service and how anybody can do it.

An old man walking along the beach at dawn sees a young man picking up star fish and throwing them out to sea. He says, "Why are you doing that?"

The young man explains that the starfish had been stranded on the beach by a receding tide. And would soon die in the daytime sun.

The old man said, "But the beach goes on for miles and there's so many! How can your effort make any difference?"

The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and without hesitating threw it to safety in the sea.

He looked up at the old man, smiled and said, "It will make a difference to that one."

President Obama went on to say - Ted Kennedy is that young man who will not rest until we've made a difference in the life of every American. He walks down that beach and he keeps on picking up starfish, tossing them into the sea.

This month, AmeriCorps is celebrating 30 years of getting things done for America, but it's not just the acts of service that have sustained our agency for three decades, it's the values we have learned from and uplifted in communities across this country.

Senator Kennedy was devoted to reducing the social and economic barriers that challenge our collective progress. His values are AmeriCorps' values and because of his advocacy, they have become the values of 1.3 million alums- inspiring them to turn moments of service into a lifetime of social action.

He understood that service isn't transactional, its permeating impact has the ability to transform lives - both the lives of those we serve, and the lives of those who serve.

And throughout his life, he reminded Americans that "progress is our heritage" and his bold leadership showed us that progress is always worth fighting for.

While Senator Kennedy left a lasting mark on our country, perhaps his crowning achievement was having children and grandchildren who are just as devoted to protecting national service as he was, and they are continuing his legacy as the torchbearers of service for a new generation.

That's why I'm delighted to announce the creation of AmeriCorps' highest honor, the Edward M. Kennedy Service to America Award - and it's inaugural recipient, the Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy, Jr.

This award recognizes current and former elected officials, whose contributions have made an indelible impact on the lives of others and those who embody Senator Kennedy's belief that through service, tomorrow's America can be even brighter than it is today.

And as one of today's leading voices on mental health and addiction; Patrick Kennedy is continuing his father's legacy with humility, authenticity, and empathy.

Patrick has worked to unite government leaders, philanthropists, the private sector, and other advocates in transforming our health care system to finally treat illness of the brain the same way we treat illness of the body.

We're also proud to have his support of AmeriCorps' efforts to combat the mental health crisis through Youth Mental Health Corps - our new partnership with the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest which allows young people to provide mental health support to middle and high school students in their communities. 

As the Co-founder of The Kennedy Forum with his indefatigable wife, Amy, he remains steadfast in his commitment to enact profound and sustainable change by ensuring mental health is essential health.

In his latest book, "Profiles in Mental Health Courage," he spotlights the triumphant journeys of the individuals we are honoring tonight.

Through these compelling profiles of bravery and resilience, Patrick reminds us to do all we can to break the stigmas around mental health, to embrace our shared humanity, and to be audacious enough to live our lives out loud with courage, strength, and hope.

So, with much gratitude and respect, please join me in congratulating and welcoming the first recipient of the Edward M. Kennedy Service to America Award, Patrick J. Kennedy Jr.