New Organization for Immigrants Needs Logo

Looking for a logo for a startup nonprofit that will encourage U.S. immigrants to learn a/b and exercise the freedom available to them in the U.S. and provide educational opportunities and other information/assistance to them.

Newfound Freedom

Desired Color Scheme:
Red, White, and Blue (other colors are ok)

Desired Style:
Clean, Web 2.0-like, professional, bold and patriotic

Accepted File Formats:
PSD or similar vector file, source layers/fonts, plus png/jpg for web

Im looking for a logo for an innovative, startup non-profit named Newfound Freedom. The organization will provide educational opportunities and maintain an online portal/community for U.S. immigrants. Ive had some ideas for the logo design but the essence of what Im hoping for is a logo that conveys the notion of the U.S. as a Melting Pot of cultures with a rich heritage and where there is freedom and opportunity without bounds.

Some of my ideas are belowbut I dont want to stifle any creativity. So, dont consider any of these as requirementsthey are just thoughts:

Elements I like:

I like the idea of the logo being bold and patriotic but not too much so. I also like some of the characteristics of Web 2.0 styled logoi.e. subtle gradients, transparency, softened colors, rounded corners, etc. Some sort of balance between these two may work out.

I like the idea of incorporating patriotic symbols like an eagle, stars, the Statue of Liberty (or her torch), and the American flag may work. Ive also thought of incorporating 13 stars to represent the original colonies.

I like the way this logo looks like three people coming together but dont like the sharp cornersmakes it look like a maple leaf:
http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplac…ntry124130

The winning logo here looks decent:
http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplac…ntest/2235

I like the cutout people holding hands on this site (not in the logo):
http://www.fraziermedia.com/

The logo here is nice but perhaps a bit too simple for me:
http://www.libertymutual.com/

Another considerationI will am currently leaning towards use the following Joomla template for the website (using the style 6 color scheme):
http://www.rockettheme.com/Template…Templates/

Bottom Line: use your imagination! I will pick a winner (and pay) even if I dont get something I like. This is the first contest Ive held. If all goes well, I may hold other contests for more design work for the same organization. If I really like the outcome of this, I may pay a small bonus and may do the same for second place but I wont promise:)