WASHINGTON–In his inaugural speech in 1960, President John F. Kennedy urged Americans to “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” With so many young professionals in the private sector descending on the nation’s capital seeking to join the Obama administration, public service among the youth is in vogue again. That’s how it looked at the Asian American Action Fund’s Annual Celebration on May 13 at the Democratic National Committee’s national headquarters, located a few blocks from the Capitol. AAA-Fund is a Democratic political action committee. Participants in the action onstage and the crowd were joyous over the opportunity to serve, and never mind the pay cut. Their feet hardly touched the ground. They also gladly opened their wallets during the fundraising auction part of the evening. U.S. Rep. Mike Honda, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair, in his message during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, noted this. He said: “We are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, where the national spirit is shifting to a new era of volunteerism, public service, and working for the common good. Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are no stranger to these changes, and we need to take hold of the new civic spirit engendered by the President Obama’s new administration.” AAA-Fund Executive Director Gautam Dutta, rushing in and out before the event, was not too busy for a short interview. Dutta said, clutching his speech draft, “Our theme is, ‘Yes, we can!’ We’re very excited about our agenda.” Later, speakers and guests would be shouting, “Yes, we did!” But for many, looking ahead to next year’s mid-term elections and the 2012 presidential elections, it seems the campaign mode is always on. Fresh faces included Boston mayoral candidate and AAA-Fund endorsee Sam Yoon, New York Councilman candidate Jin “PJ” Kim and the area’s Jeanette Rishelle. DNC Political Director Clyde Williams looked happy. Lawmakers and CAPAC members dropped in to deliver remarks. Among them: U.S. Representatives Mazie Hirono (HI) and Bob C. Scott (VA), and Senator Daniel K. Akaka, chairman of the committee on veterans affairs. Congressman Scott said, “If you want to know how effective AAA-Fund is, all you have to do is just look at the cabinet,” with three Asian American secretaries. “Triple-A Fund is a group that’s worth supporting,” Honda told the crowd. Radio and TV talk show host Panney Wei flew in from L.A. to emcee the event. Yeni Wong presented the AAA-Fund Distinguished Community Award to Francey Lim Youngberg. Ms. Youngberg helped save the D.C. Mayor’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs from being demoted in the FY2010 budget. She was the D.C. Fair Access Coalition Chair. The host committee was composed of Executive Director Dutta, Ms. Wong, Bel Leong-Hong, Irene Bueno, Melissa Unemori Hampe, Tom Goldstein, Paul Igasaki, Howard Moon, Dian Herrman, Gloria Caoile, Hady Amr, Irene Lin, Caroline Fan, Marybelle Ang, Junelle Cavero, John Tinpe, Willard Tom, Kiran Jain, Avin Sharma, Toby Chaudhuri, Nasima Hossain, David Namura, Rhonda Binda, Regine Biscoe-Lee, Manu Bhardwaj and Texas Rep. Hubert Vo.