Read and comment on this memo from Dave Hibbard of the Peace Corps Charter group that he has asked us to post asking RPCVs to call your Representative to support the doubling of the Peace Corps, as called for by President Bush, by becoming a cosponsor for HR 250 at:
* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.
TO: RPCVs and Former Staff
ONE OF THE MANY LESSONS FROM THE WAR IN IRAQ??
Now, more than ever, an expanded, strengthened Peace Corps is needed in the far corners of the World, demonstrating to people everywhere the other face of America.
Help us convince Congress that we need the funding to double the Peace Corps.
WHAT¹S HAPPENED SO FAR?
Congressman Sam Farr (RPCV) introduced such a bill, HR 250, on Jan. 8, 2003, the second day the 108th Congress was in session.
Now, Sen. Chris Dodd (RPCV) on April 9th, added an amendment, Title IX, to the Senate Foreign Relations Act for FY 2004, S.790, which is very similar to HR 250.
NOW IS THE TIME
Now is the time to put pressure on the Senate to pass S. 790 with the Dodd amendment intact and to put pressure on the House to pass HR 250. A compromise bill will be worked out in a House-Senate conference, and we will get a new lease on life for the Peace Corps.
STEP ONE: GETTING COSPONSORS IN THE HOUSE
If we could get 100 cosponsors for HR 250, the House leadership and the leadership of the International Relations Committee, Henry Hyde, would be forced to take notice and to take action. The bill currently has only 25 cosponsors.
Call your Representative today and ask them to cosponsor HR 250, the Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act. Call the Capital Switchboard at 202-224-3121, ask to be connected to your Representatives office and ask to speak to the Staffer who handles Peace Corps affairs. Tell them you are a voting constituent and you want your Representative to support the doubling of the Peace Corps, as called for by President Bush, by becoming a cosponsor for HR 250. Ask for a written response.
Or you can send an email (copy us) to www.house.gov/writerep.
STEP TWO: PUTTING PRESSURE ON YOUR SENATORS
We will let you know when that time comes. Please be able to respond immediately!
Let us know what you have done. Email us at advocacy@rpcv.org. Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Legislation; Congress; Advocacy
