The McCains Emphasize Public Service in Convention Speeches

By Peter Panepento

Both Sen. John McCain and his wife, Cindy, made strong arguments about the importance of charity work and public service in their speeches to delegates at the Republican National Convention Thursday night.

Ms. McCain, who introduced her husband, mentioned the work of two charities — Operation Smile, which repairs facial abnormalities in young people, and the Halo Trust, which removes land mines.

The organizations have received grants from the couple’s foundation, the John and Cindy McCain Family Foundation.

“To see a child rescued from a life in the shadows by Operation Smile is to witness and share a joy that is life-changing,” Ms. McCain said in her speech. “And the challenges go on. I just returned from the Republic of Georgia, where HALO Trust — an organization specializing in clearing the debris of war — and others are rescuing innocent victims from landmines and missiles.”

Call to Serve

Mr. McCain, meanwhile, focused much of his speech — in which he accepted the Republican nomination — on his record of working across party lines and of the lessons he learned as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

At the end of his speech, the Republican from Arizona challenged Americans to work to improve the country — either through government or through volunteering their time with nonprofit groups.

“If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them,” Mr. McCain said.

“Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed.

“Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.”

To find out more about where Mr. McCain and his opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, stand on issues of importance to the nonprofit world, check out the Chronicle‘s Campaign 2008 special report.