The American Film Institute is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. The organization was founded in 1967 as a national arts organization. Besides preserving America’ film heritage, the organization trains filmmakers.

According to their website:

AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts.

On July 29, 2003, Clay Aiken joined executives of the AFI on a visit to Capitol Hill, the White House and the US Department of Education. Their goal was to urge the expansion of AFI’s Screen Education Center into schools across America. They proposed that Congress provide additional funding to expand the K-12 program from a demonstration project into a national level program.

Clay met with many senators and members of congress including the Majority leader, William Frist, Senators Dole, Edwards, Feinstein, Boxer, Spector, Harkin, Mikulski, and Lott. He also met with the Acting Deputy Secretary, Dr. Eugene Hickok from the US Department of Education. After the closed-door meeting with officials at the U.S. Department of Education, Aiken said:

Since I’ve had to put my own work with special needs kids on hold for now, I am excited to do what I can to support worthwhile educational efforts, particularly those which reach kids who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

During the busy day, Aiken stopped by the Capitol to sing “Happy Birthday” to Senator Elizabeth Dole from North Carolina.

Clay followed this busy schedule on his day off from the American Idol Tour. The other cast members had the day off, but Clay spent his day pursuing a goal that was important to him.

Do you think Washington D.C. is ready for Clay Aiken?