April 4, 2002 - Press Release: Rep. Sam Farr proposes PC independence from Freedom Corps, Shriver Peace Fund, increased PC Support Staff, robust PC advisory board
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April 4, 2002 - Press Release: Rep. Sam Farr proposes PC independence from Freedom Corps, Shriver Peace Fund, increased PC Support Staff, robust PC advisory board
Rep. Sam Farr proposes PC independence from Freedom Corps, Shriver Peace Fund, increased PC Support Staff, robust PC advisory board
Read and comment on this Press Release from the office of Congressman Sam Farr on legislation that he will introduce to strengthen the Peace Corps. Highlights include the Peace Corps' independence from the USA Freedom Corps, establishment of a "Shriver Peace Fund", increasing PC support staff and creating a robust Peace Corps advisory board. Read the details at:
REP. SAM FARR TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION EXPANDING ROLE OF PEACE CORPS *
* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.
REP. SAM FARR TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION EXPANDING ROLE OF PEACE CORPS
'The Peace Corps must strive to support world peace and mankind's survival,' Rep. Farr says
(Washington, DC) - A longtime Peace Corps advocate and former volunteer, Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel) will introduce legislation in the coming weeks to expand the role of the Peace Corps.
"The Peace Corps has always helped people in developing nations to meet basic needs, promoted understanding of America's values and ideals aborad, and encouraged Americans to better understand their neighbors around the world," Rep. Farr said.
"But in this difficult and dangerous time, it is vitally important that the Peace Corps take on a fourth goal - that of supporting peace and the survival of mankind," Rep. Farr added.
On Dec. 19, Rep. Farr sent a letter to President Bush asking him to increase funding levels for the Peace Corps. In the wake of Sept. 11, the Peace Corps must continue to play its crucial role of educating people overseas about the good works and intentions of the United States, the letter stated.
"To my great delight, at his State of the Union address at the end of January, President Bush called for doubling the number of Peace Corps volunteers over the next five years," Rep. Farr said.. "I applaud this proposal, but I also believe my legislation is essential to ensuring that the Peace Corps remains viable."
Other aspects of the legislation include:
* Ensuring that the Peace Corps remain an independent agency, not connected in any way to the Bush Administration's USA Freedom Corps.
* Increasing outreach to the Muslim world.
* Using returned language and cultural expertise of returned Peace Corps volunteers to open or reopen Peace Corps programs.
* Educating all Peace Corps volunteers in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including AIDS and HIV.
* Establishing the "Shriver Peace Fund," which will allow returned Peace Corps volunteers to develop activities in underserved areas.
* Increasing safety precautions for Peace Corps volunteers abroad.
* Increasing the support staff of the Peace Corps, both at home and abroad, to complement the increase in volunteers and to promote orderly growth of the organization.
* Strengthen and expand the "Crisis Corps." This group of returned Peace Corps volunteers works in post-conflict areas such as Afghanistan.
* Create a robust Peace Corps advisory board, and include returned Peace Corps volunteers.
A Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia during the mid-1960s, Rep. Farr found the experience so valuable that he wants to make sure others have the same opportunity. "Now more than ever, we need to promote volunteerism as a means of increasing international tolerance and understanding," Rep. Farr said.
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