Executive Constantine makes friendly wager with Executive of Prince George’s County in Maryland over outcome of Seahawks/Redskins playoff game

January 3, 2013

Summary

Via webcam, the two wager local coffees and the wearing of the winner’s jersey; Constantine to travel east for game as guest of the host county

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine and County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III of Prince George's County in Maryland, home of the Washington Redskins, have made a friendly wager over the outcome of Sunday's Redskins/Seattle Seahawks playoff game.

The two conversed via webcam today, and the video can be seen on Vimeo at www.vimeo.com/56721034. A dedicated football fan, Executive Constantine has not missed a University of Washington Husky home football game in at least four decades.

"I am pleased to make this friendly wager with Prince George's County Executive Baker to highlight King County's world-famous coffee, our commitment to community service, and our beloved Seattle Seahawks," said Executive Constantine, who will travel to the East Coast to watch the game as a guest of Executive Baker. "Go Hawks!"

The two executives are each putting up a case of coffee from their respective local producers - Starbucks, Seattle's Best, Diva Espresso, and an assortment of other locally roasted coffees from King County, and 8 O'Clock Bean Coffee from Cheverly, Md.

During their respective community service events in January, the loser must also wear the winning team's jersey, as a means of promoting "National Mentoring Month" and the "Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service" on Jan. 21.

"This is a very exciting time for Prince George's County to host its first NFL playoff game since 1999," said Executive Baker. "Our entire region has been so inspired by the performance of the Redskins and I am confident that they will be victorious this Sunday. I want to thank King County Executive Constantine for joining me in this wager that allows us to highlight our great local businesses and promote volunteerism and mentorship this month."

The Washington Redskins (10-6) will host the Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at FedEx Field on Sunday, Jan. 6, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.

ABOUT NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH

Created in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us - individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits - can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure brighter futures for our young people.

As in years past, the Harvard School of Public Health is working with the national media to heighten awareness of mentoring and prompt individuals to volunteer to mentor. At the same time, MENTOR is working with the NMM campaign's local partners, who are organizing special NMM events in their communities with numerous partners, including their local media. These events help interested adults learn how to turn their concern for young people into direct action by becoming mentors. The Corporation for National and Community Service, a NMM partner since 2006, promotes the month to its vast network of Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America grantees and highlights mentoring during its annual Martin Luther King Day of Service event.

ABOUT THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE

After a long struggle, legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service - a "day on, not a day off." The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community."