Chelsea Clinton discusses volunteerism

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Chelsea Clinton, honorary head of this weekend's National Day of Service, urged participation in an activity to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

"I'm proud to be the honorary chair of the National Day of Service happening this Saturday, inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy," Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said in a post Tuesday on CNN.com . "It's the perfect way to kick off the inauguration weekend because anyone can participate, and we know that when we work together, we will achieve more than one person could on his or her own."

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, members of Congress and their families will be participating in service projects in Washington, Politico reported Tuesday. Elsewhere, each state will offer opportunities to volunteer.

Chelsea Clinton said her parents instilled in her the desire to volunteer while in Little Rock, Ark., saying among family favorites were deciding which books to donate to a church or library, and cleaning up parks.

"Nineteen years ago, my father proudly signed the bill making Martin Luther King Day a time dedicated to serving others," she said. "At the speech he gave to mark the event, he reminded us of what King once called, 'Life's most persistent and urgent question: What are you doing for others?'"

"There are countless right answers to that question -- the only wrong one is to do nothing," Clinton wrote. "As we think about the future of our communities and our country, we each have the ability and the responsibility to participate."