Shortsightedness and opportunism can derail it. Yet wise public policies and generous leadership foster civic initiative. It blossoms when people believe in its power. It flourishes when people witness its effects. It expands when nurtured in a creative and respectful spirit.
Civic initiative knows no boundaries of class or culture.
The pride Washingtonians feel in our long and strong tradition of civic generosity and innovation is pride of accomplishment not comparison. A fair reading of history confirms that cooperative action for a common good can be found in every corner of the globe under conditions of every sort from utter deprivation to embarrassing excess. Yet civic initiative is characteristic of some eras, some places, some communities. It is missing or little known in others. We have been fortunate to live in a place and time when it could be taken for granted.