Action Needed to Pass Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century
Read and comment on this message from John Coyne, editor of Peace Corps Writers and co-founder of the Peace Corps Fund, on what RPCVs can do to help get the Senate approved Peace Corps Bill (S 2667) passed in the House of Representatives at:
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Immediate Action Needed to Pass Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century
Dear Friends:
I received the following email recently from Rich Gray (Kenya 1988-90). Rich makes a great point on why our work with the Third Goal is so important. And he says it better than anything I could say:
"I believe third goal projects will be received by Americans with increasing interest in the coming years. I believe the Peace Corps experience offers the most challenging alternative to both the "axis of evil" worldview as well as the fashionable anti-Americanism I encounter on an almost daily basis in New York City. The Peace Corps experience seems to throw a wrench into both trains of thought, and I believe that third goal projects can act as an alternative to stimulate, and deepen, the current debate. I have always savored the awkward pause that often follows when a returned Peace Corps Volunteer enters a discussion and says, "No, I lived there, in a hut, and it's not really like that...." There's an authority in their presence that is unquestionable, and silences even the most strident academic. It's the street-level quality of the experience that is its greatest strength, and I believe third goal projects are an excellent way to stimulate (and even irritate) the national awareness on the issue of foreign affairs and America's place in the world."
As you may know, S.2667, the Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act passed in the U.S. Senate on October 16. We need to have this same bill--S.2667-pass in the House. If it passes in the House, we will have the necessary legislation to support and fund RPCVs Third Goal activities in the United States.
We need everyone-and I mean everyone--in our RPCV network to call/email/fax the Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-IL and ask him to make arrangements with Congressman Henry Hyde, Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, and Congressman Tom Lantos, D-CA, the Ranking Minority Leader of the Committee.
Urge these Representatives to put S. 2667 on the Calendar and bring up the bill (which requires a suspension of the rules) and then pass the bill.
Remember to: · State your name; · Identify yourself as an RPCV; · Tell them when and where you served as a PCV; · Say you are calling in reference to S. 2667 - The Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act.
The White House supports this legislation as it is written. Remind the Congressmen of that fact. If you live in their States, also remind them that you vote.
Through your commitment to the Peace Corps, we have made tremendous gains in our lobbying efforts. I am confidence we can make this Peace Corps bill a reality. It will, however, only become reality if they hear from all of us and know that we are concerned about all the goals of the original Peace Corps Act.
Thank you again for everything that you have done for the Peace Corps, the Third Goal, and for the returned Peace Corps Volunteer community.
Key Congressional People & Contacts in their Districts
Christopher Shays PH: 202-225-5541 FAX: 202-225-9629 email: rep.shays@mail.house.gov Contact person: Paul Pimental--203-579-5870
Thomas E. Petri PH: 202-225-2476 FAX: 202-222-2356 no email Contact person: Sue Kirkman Young--920-922-1180
James T. Walsh PH: 202-225-3701 FAX: 202-225-4042 general email, would not get answered so not given out Contact persons: Syracuse--Jenny Carmondy--315-423-5657 Auburn--Sue Dwyer Courtland--Terry Dennis
Michael M. Honda PH: 202-225-2631 FAX: 202-225-2699 email: mike.honda@mail.house.gov Contract person: Lisa Henry--408-244-8084
Henry J. Hyde 202-225-4561 Fax: 202-225-1166 email: www.house.gov/writerep Key contact: Judy Wolverton--630-832-5950
Tom Lantos 202-225-3531 Fax:202-226-9789 email: none Key contact: Chris Walker--650-342-0300
J. Dennis Hastert 202-225-2976 Fax: 202-225-0697 630-406-1114 email: dhastert@mail.house.gov Key contact: call 630-406-1114-Bryan Harbin
Richard A. Gephardt 314-894-3400 (in St. Louis) 202-225-2671 Fax: 202-225-7452 202-225-0100 email: gephardt@mail.house.gov Key contact-- Steve Elmendorf (Chief of Staff)
Sam Farr 202-225-2861 314-894-3400 (In Salinas, California) Fax: 202-225-6791 email: samfarr@mail.house.gov Key contact: Ned Steiner (DC office, Peace Corps issues)
Thank you,
John Coyne
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