Peace Corps Online: June 30, 2002 - list serv: Help pass the new Peace Corps Bill

June 30, 2002 - list serv: Help pass the new Peace Corps Bill

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2002: 06 June 2002 Peace Corps Headlines: June 30, 2002 - list serv: Help pass the new Peace Corps Bill

By Admin1 (admin) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 12:21 am: Edit Post

Help pass the new Peace Corps Bill

Read and comment on this message sent to us by Dave Hibbard which we strongly endorse on what you can do to help get the new Peace Corps legislation passed to double the size of the Peace Corps at:

Help pass the new Peace Corps Bill*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.

Help pass the new Peace Corps Bill

1. Legislation was introduced June 20, 2002, in both the Senate and House, to:

A. double the number of PCVs (from 7,000 to 15,000)in 5 years, which the President has called for in his State of the Union address

B. double the Peace Corps' funding in 5 years (asking for $320 million for 2003; currently we are at $275 million for 2002)

C. increase the accountability and communication of the Peace Corps to both Congress and the RPCV community.

D. keep the Peace Corps an independent agency

E. increase utilization of RPCVs to help open and reopen PC countries

F. re-examine student loan forgiveness and increase the readjustment allowance (ways to increase diversity in the Peace Corps)

G. begin a large infectious disease training initiative for all PCVs

H. create a fund of $10 million/year for RPCVs to undertake community- based projects to carry out the goals of the Peace Corps

2. The Senate Bill is # 2667, called "The Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act" and was introduced into the Senate by Senator Chris Dodd, Connecticut, (RPCV, Dominican Republic, 1960s).

3. The House Bill # 4979, was introduced by Sam Farr, California, (RPCV, Colombia) and Mark Udall, Colorado, (mother was PCV in Nepal for 5 years).

4. The NPCA has endorsed this legislation as have over 30 of the affiliated "Friends of..." (eg Nigeria) and Geographic groups (Connecticut RPCVs).

5. We need your Senator to sign on as a Co-sponsor of this bill, S- 2667, by July 8th. This is extremely urgent.

6. Call you Senator's office, ask to speak with the staffer in charge of Peace Corps Affairs. Tell him/her you want your Senator to Co-sponsor this bill, that Peace Corps Volunteers are the best resource for improving Homeland Security and preventing terrorism. Tell him who you are, where you live, where you served, how they can reach you.

7. Write your Senator a hand written letter and fax it to him/her. You may also email him/her.

8. Here's how to contact your Senators and Congressman.

Click here and enter your ZIP Code to get your Senators phone number, fax, and email address.

9. Have your friends and members of your local RPCV group keep calling, emailing, and writing letters until you see your Senators and Congressman's name below as co-sponsors.

See if your Senators have become co-sponsors of the Bill

The Peace Corps Bill

The Peace Corps Bill

Senator Dodd's Statement on why he introduced the bill

Other Supporters of the Bill

Former Peace Corps Director Mark Schneider
"I strongly support the fundamental purpose of the Act."

NPCA President Dane Smith
The NPCA supports the bill and intends "to work hard for its passage."

RPCV Barbara Ferris
"I speak in strong support of the Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act."

RPCV John Coyne
Senator Dodd, I join with other RPCVs in "thanking you for working to strengthen the Peace Corps."

Background Information on the Bill

Coverage on the Previous Draft Bill

RPCV Congressmen support Peace Corps Autonomy

Rep. Sam Farr discusses the legislation with PCOL

The Case for Peace Corps Independence

The Peace Corps Fund

Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL

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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Special Reports

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