June 1, 2004: Headlines: Congress: Legislation: Safety and Security of Volunteeers: Kansas City Star: Congress passes bill to regulate Peace Corps
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June 1, 2004: Headlines: Congress: Legislation: Safety and Security of Volunteeers: Kansas City Star: Congress passes bill to regulate Peace Corps
Congress passes bill to regulate Peace Corps
Congress passes bill to regulate Peace Corps
Congress passes bill to regulate Peace Corps
BY DENA BUNIS
The Orange County Register
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Congress moved toward more tightly regulating the Peace Corps on Tuesday when it passed a bill to create an ombudsman and a more independent inspector general for the agency.
The legislation was passed by a voice vote over the objections of Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez, who believes the ombudsman job is redundant and maintains that the inspector general - the agency's watchdog - has all the autonomy he needs.
The idea for the bill came after a series of newspaper articles chronicled deaths and assaults of volunteers at Peace Corps posts around the world. Since those incidents, which occurred before Vasquez came to the agency, Vasquez has created an Office of Safety and Security with a director who reports to him. The House bill would make that position permanent.
Vasquez could not be reached for comment Tuesday. He said in a statement that the agency continues to have concerns about parts of the bill.
"To maintain the Peace Corps effectiveness in an era of continued growth and opportunity requires that management has the flexibility to make decisions that best serve the agency and most importantly the volunteers," the statement said.
California Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, a member of the International Relations Committee, which sent the bill to the floor, said while much of the bill duplicates actions Vasquez has already taken. "I don't think there's harm in memorializing that in statute."
A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Michael DeWine, R-Ohio.
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© 2004, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.).
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Story Source: Kansas City Star
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Congress; Legislation; Safety and Security of Volunteeers
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By Daniel (63.159.136.16) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 10:20 am: Edit Post |
I'll bet he is concerned about the Ombudsman office to be created.
It is only half way on what volunteers who have gone through safety situations, been separated or rebuffed by the agency want. Separated Peace Corps Volunteers are moving forward into the court system file our complaints against the agency in our personal and group concerns.
We hope the Ombudsman's office will help. However, our health, careers and our service to Peace Corps is more important than the Director's concerns. Remember he did not serve. He has no idea what it is like to be in a hostile environment physically. We as volunteers get are hands dirty and make the relationships that are ultimately the program.
The volunteers of the today, the past and the future deserve this legislation.
Thanks for all your support in the house for this legislation.
Daniel
Thank you Chairman Hyde
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By Daniel (63.159.136.16) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 10:23 am: Edit Post |
I'll bet he is concerned about the Ombudsman office to be created.
It is only half way on what volunteers who have gone through safety situations, been separated or rebuffed by the agency want. Separated Peace Corps Volunteers are moving forward into the court system file our complaints against the agency in our personal and group concerns.
We hope the Ombudsman's office will help. However, our health, careers and our service to Peace Corps is more important than the Director's concerns. Remember he did not serve. He has no idea what it is like to be in a hostile environment physically. We as volunteers get are hands dirty and make the relationships that are ultimately the program.
The volunteers of the today, the past and the future deserve this legislation.
Thanks for all your support in the house for this legislation.
Daniel
Thank you Chairman Hyde