This Week's Top Stories
The week's top Peace Corps news stories posted here every Sunday.
Top Stories - May, 2004
Violent death, no justice for Tonga PCV
Violent death, no justice for Peace Corps volunteer 31 May 2004
Civil Union not recognized by Peace Corps
Jen Carter-Kelly is moving to Mongolia with her partner, Staci Carter-Kelly, and their 3-year-old daughter, Amelia. Staci has recently joined the Peace Corps and, as a medical officer, will be taking care of volunteers. The Peace Corps is paying for Staci and Amelia to move, but not for Jen. The civil union Jen and Staci celebrated in Vermont isn’t recognized by the Peace Corps. 31 May 2004
RPCV in War-torn Afghanistan
RPCV Leslie Wilson Offers First-hand Account of Life in War-torn Afghanistan 31 May 2004
Bellamy interviewed on Uganda situation
Interview with UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy on Uganda 31 May 2004
Bellamy calls on Israel to comply
Carol Bellamy called on Israeli authorities "to comply with the international norms that are in place for purposes of detention of young people." 30 May 2004
Sargent Shriver: a life of involvement
Sargent Shriver: a life of involvement 30 May 2004
Jim Gray stakes race on legalizing pot
Candidate Jim Gray stakes race on legalizing pot 30 May 2004
Haiti RPCV works on Mexico-Arizona border
Fresh from a Peace Corps assignment in Haiti, 26-year-old Melissa Kreek last month turned her hopeful attentions to the Mexico-Arizona border 30 May 2004
Kerry says the Peace Corps is smaller now
John Kerry says "I think it's an insult that when the world is twice as large as it was in the cold war, I mean half the world was shut to us during the cold war, the Peace Corps is smaller today than it was when President Kennedy started it. That tells you a lot. 30 May 2004
Mother visits PCV daughter in Senegal
In March 2001, my daughter left for the Peace Corps in Senegal. Now my sister and I are making a pilgrimage to a place that it would never have occurred to us to want to see, the village of Saare Foode, population perhaps 200, a painful 14-hour drive south of Dakar 30 May 2004
American Taboo: A Peace Corps Murder
American Taboo: A Murder in the Peace Corps 29 May 2004
Doyle says world will benefit from service
Governor Jim Doyle says Wisconsin, the world will benefit from service 29 May 2004
RPCV is Director of Global Works
RPCV Erik Werner is Director of Global Works offering community service summer programs abroad 29 May 2004
Dominican Republic RPCV is Artist
Artist Danyl Cook was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic and incorporates themes and stories from his life into his work 29 May 2004
Dominican Republic PCVs safe after floods
Dominican Republic PCVs safe after floods 28 May 2004
Four New Universities in Fellows Program
Peace Corps Welcomes Four New Universities to Fellows/USA Program 28 May 2004
RPCV says US should get out of Iraq
RPCV Shaun McNally says U.S. troops should get out of Iraq 28 May 2004
RPCVs found musical group the Maybellines
RPCVs Al Adams and guitarist Mike Levasseur founded the musical group the Maybellines in the fall of 1998 28 May 2004
RPCV suggests pollution-red tide connection
India RPCV Carl Pope suggests pollution-red tide connection 28 May 2004
RPCV says to withdraw troops from Iraq
RPCV Shaun McNally says that he wants U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq 28 May 2004
RPCV says 'Day After Tomorrow' educates
Global Warming Activists Descend on D.C./Baltimore Theaters to Educate 'Day After Tomorrow' Movie-Goers says Congo Kinsasha RPCV Mike Tidwell 28 May 2004
Matthews interviews Nepal RPCV Leamer
Swaziland RPCV Chris Matthews interviews Nepal RPCV Lawrence Leamer about his book about the Kennedys 28 May 2004
RPCV promotes renewable energy standards
Congo Kinsasha RPCV Mike Tidwell of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network said surrounding states are looking at the Maryland law as a model for laws that will create renewable energy standards for companies selling retail electricity in the state 27 May 2004
Chris Matthews tells Clark about PC
Swaziland RPCV Chris Matthews tells Wesley Clark "If either of these guys had spent 15 minutes in the Peace Corps, they would have known that Third World people don‘t like First World people coming in with tanks and yelling orders and taking over their country." 27 May 2004
President Mogae hails Peace Corps
President Mogae hails US peace corps 27 May 2004
RPCV writer prefers small towns
'Plainsong' author Turkey RPCV Kent Haruf prefers the simplicity of small towns 27 May 2004
RPCV paints American Indian Gothic
American Indian Gothic by RPCV David Bradley 27 May 2004
Submit your slides for 2006 Calendar!
Submit your own slides now for the 2006 Peace Corps Calendar! 27 May 2004
New Director of Crisis Corps appointed
Agency Names Mary Angelini as New Director of Crisis Corps 27 May 2004
Bellamy advocates for Sudan children
"We are hopeful that Sudan's natural wealth will be harnessed to the needs of children instead of war in the very near future," Ms. Bellamy said. 27 May 2004
Chris Matthews elaborates PC views
Chris Matthews says that if Rumsfeld or Wolfowitz "had spent 15 minutes in the Peace Corps, they would have known that Third World people don‘t like First World people coming in with tanks and yelling orders and taking over their country" 27 May 2004
Botswana PCVs get chiefs to take HIV test
Peace Corps volunteers broke a cultural taboo when they approached one of Botswana's influential paramount chiefs and asked him to publicly take an HIV test 26 May 2004
Senator says Lariam causing brain damage
Sen. Dianne Feinstein says Lariam causing GIs permanent brain damage 26 May 2004
RPCV teaches Moroccan cooking
In a tiny kitchen with no running water or electricity high in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in North Africa, Jo Phillip learned to cook. Lemon Chicken with Olives, Ramadan Soup, couscous and luscious round loaves of flat bread — these are the recipes she brought home to the Fox Valley after a stint in the Peace Corps. She also brought home her Moroccan husband, who ensured such foods would keep their romance simmering. 26 May 2004
Chris Matthews talks about Peace Corps
Chris Matthews says "I was in the Peace Corps. Anybody who spent three seconds in a third world country was told don‘t talk politics or they‘ll kick you out of the country. " 26 May 2004
RPCV opposes CAFTA Free Trade bill
Togo RPCV Jackie Theriot is not happy with CAFTA, the proposed Central American Federal Trade Agreement 25 May 2004
Bellamy spotlights Uganda's displaced
UNICEF chief Carol Bellamy spotlights plight of Uganda's 1.6 million displaced people 25 May 2004
DDN wins First Amendment Award
The Dayton Daily News won the First Amendment Award for a seven-day series "Casualties of Peace," which documented an outbreak of violence against Peace Corps volunteers. 24 May 2004
RPCV Judge Jim Gray joins Senate Race
Costa Rica RPCV Judge Jim Gray Takes Leave From Bench to Join Senate Race 24 May 2004
Shriver biographer discusses Kerry
When it comes to balancing faith and politics, a more instructive model for both Kerry and his critics may be Kennedy's brother-in-law Sargent Shriver. 23 May 2004
RPCV prosecutes organized crime figures
Greg D. Andres, 37, a wiry former Peace Corps volunteer in Benin and one-time boxer at the University of Notre Dame, has prosecuted more than 100 organized crime figures in five years as an assistant United States attorney. 23 May 2004
Sarge: Too handsome and well-connected
Sarge: Too handsome, famous and well-connected for his own reputation 23 May 2004
RPCV runs for Pahokee City Mayor
Swaziland RPCV J. P. Sasser candidate for reelection as Pahokee city Mayor 23 May 2004
Doyle urges youth to commit themselves
RPCV Jim Doyle urged young people to commit themselves to service whether it is through the military, peace corps or just service to organizations in their communities 22 May 2004
Malaysia RPCV writes book on Shamanism
Malaysia RPCV Ann Drake writes "Healing of the Soul: Shaminism and Psyche" 22 May 2004
RPCV Kent Haruf began writing in Turkey
During a stint in the Peace Corps in Turkey, Kent Haruf took his first, tentative stabs at writing stories of his own 22 May 2004
Clark's RPCV supporters continue discussion
RPCVs who supported Wesley K. Clark continue their discussion 22 May 2004
RPCV honored for service in India
John Chromy will be honored by New Prague High School, he left St. John's in 1963, answering President Kennedy's challenge for young Americans to serve in the newly-formed Peace Corps in India 21 May 2004
PCV worked with Tibetan refugees
Joanna Macy ended up in India with the Peace Corps in the mid-sixties working with Tibetan refugees 21 May 2004
Micronesia RPCV writes story of penicillin
Micronesia Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Eric Lax writes about the story of penicillin in "The Mold in Dr. Florey’s Coat" 21 May 2004
McPherson says Iraq Success critical for US
Peter McPherson says Success in Iraq is critical for U.S. 21 May 2004
RPCV in fight for marriage equality
Togo RPCV Evan Wolfson in vanguard in the fight for marriage equality for gays and lesbians 20 May 2004
Gearan nomination sent to Senate
Mark D. Gearan's nomination to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a term of one year sent to Senate 20 May 2004
Shriver supports trade and travel to Cuba
Sargent Shriver joins a bipartisan group of prominent business leaders, ex-government officials, elected officials and humanitarian leaders from across the nation today, in an open letter to President Bush, who call on the administration to work with the majority of members of Congress who seek to lift all restrictions on humanitarian trade and free travel to Cuba 20 May 2004
Lariam use by military in question
Military's use of malaria drug Lariam in question 20 May 2004
RPCV awarded a Fulbright in Latvia
RPCV Jennifer Keahey awarded a Fulbright fellowship to study organic farming in Latvia 20 May 2004
RPCV says never judge patrotism
RPCV Robert H. Thornhill says Never again judge patrotism on ethnicity or religion 20 May 2004
Shalala announces Online High School
Donna Shalala announces collaboration agreement to create the University of Miami Online High School (UMOHS) 20 May 2004
Bill Moyers is one-of-a-kind journalist
Bill Moyers is one-of-a-kind journalist 20 May 2004
DeWine introduces PC Safety Act in Senate
U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) today introduced the Peace Corps Volunteers Health, Safety, and Security Act of 2004 designed to increase the safety and security of Peace Corps volunteers 20 May 2004
Allene Zanger new IAP Regional Director
Returned Volunteer Allene Zanger (Panama 1993 - 95) is new Peace Corps Regional Director for the Inter-American and Pacific Region (IAP) 19 May 2004
Bellamy urges to address youth issues
Carol Bellamy urges Arab countries to address youth issues 18 May 2004
RPCV choreographer changes things around
Venezuela RPCV Jane Crews Comfort, choreographer, likes to change things around 18 May 2004
Vasquez presents "Others Award" in OC
Gaddi Vasquez presents "Others Award" at Orange County Salvation Army's annual Spirit Awards civic dinner 18 May 2004
McPherson's departure leaves great legacy
President McPherson's departure to leave behind great legacy, but also a lot of work 17 May 2004
RPCV National Guardsman may go to Iraq
If another Guard unit is mobilized, well-loved teacher and Botswana RPCV Richard Galli may go to war 17 May 2004
PCV Killer free with help of US government
In 1976, Tonga Peace Corps Volunteer Dennis Priven stabbed Deborah Gardner, another volunteer, 22 times, and went free, with the help of the U.S. government 17 May 2004
RPCV Matthews says learn how to compete
Chris Matthews urges grads to learn how to compete 17 May 2004
Chris Matthews talks about Peace Corps
Chris Matthews talks about Peace Corps in commencement speech 17 May 2004
Important to have Shays in Congress
It is important for Connecticut and the nation to have someone like Chris Shays in a senior position 17 May 2004
Schneider for Iraq consultative assembly
Mark Schneider and the ICG would like to see the immediate appointment, overseen by the UN, of a consultative assembly of Iraqis, which would essentially form a transitional government 16 May 2004
Schneider talks about trouble in Iraq
Trouble in Iraq - An Interview with Mark Schneider and Major General Peter Abigail 16 May 2004
Paraguay RPCV foster parents to 6 children
Paraguay RPCV Bill Byman and his wife Merarda are foster parents to six children 16 May 2004
RPCV Governor Doyle says strive to serve
Tunisia RPCV Governor Jim Doyle tells graduates to strive to serve 16 May 2004
Do Terrorists put Afghan progress at risk?
Schneider and Gouttierre say Terrorists put progress at risk in Afghanistan 16 May 2004
Haiti RPCVs readjusting to life in America
Since the recent suspension of the Peace Corps' Haiti Program, Jason Feldman and 76 other returned volunteers are readjusting to life in America 16 May 2004
Sargent Shriver: the Last Liberal
Sargent Shriver: the Last Liberal 16 May 2004
Sarge by Scott Stossel serves as a tonic
Sarge by Scott Stossel serves as a tonic to tales of the spoiled wealthy 16 May 2004
Hollywood tackles RPCV scuba deaths
Hollywood tackles mystery of deaths of Tuvala RPCVs Tom and Eileen Lonergan in Australian Scuba disappearance 16 May 2004
Shriver Biographer to Speak at Law Center
Shriver Biographer Scott Stossel to Speak at Law Center's Luncheon 16 May 2004
RPCV remembers sarcastic comment
Thomas M. McMahon remembers an elderly woman’s sarcastic comment when he served in the Peace Corp in Bangladesh 15 May 2004
RPCV promotes "friendship" soccer tour
Kazakhstan RPCV Wylie Williams promotes "friendship" soccer tour with Central Asian All-Star team 15 May 2004
Scott Stossel spent years doing research
Scott Stossel spent years doing archival research for his biography of Sargent Shriver, conducting hundreds of interviews with Shriver's former colleagues, family and friends 14 May 2004
Fifty PCVs arrive In Bangladesh
US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca will bring a group of 50 Peace Corps volunteers with her to help Bangladesh in various development fields 14 May 2004
MSU, state will miss McPherson
MSU, state will miss McPherson 14 May 2004
Chris Shays comments on FEC decision
Chris Shays put out a statement lamenting the F.E.C.'s decision not to interfere with the political groups 14 May 2004
Vasquez guest at Leaders’ Prayer Breakfast
Gaddi Vasquez to be special guest at Orange County Government Leaders’ Prayer Breakfast 14 May 2004
Can Peace Corps help fix U.S. image?
Thailand RPCV H. William Batt says it's foolish to think Peace Corps can fix U.S. image 14 May 2004
Ethiopia RPCV candidate for Eugene mayor
Eugene mayoral candidate Kitty Piercy served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia 13 May 2004
"Matthews" Outdelivers other networks
"Matthews" Has Outdelivered CBS, ABC and FOX Nine Out of Past Ten Weeks (one tie) in Household 13 May 2004
RPCV Paul Johnson in Congressional race
Ghana RPCV Paul Johnson stumps Mitchell County in race for Congress 13 May 2004
Shalala reelected Director of UnitedHealth
Iran RPCV Donna Shalala reelected Director of UnitedHealth Group Inc. 13 May 2004
Bellamy to Visit Northern Uganda
Unicef Executive Director Carol Bellamy to Visit Northern Uganda 13 May 2004
Schneider testifies to Senate FR Committee
Mark L. Schneider, Sr. testifies to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on "Afghanistan – Continuing Challenges" 12 May 2004
Kenya RPCV is Vatican Meteorite Curator
Kenya RPCV Guy Consolmagno is Curator of Meteorites at the Vatican Observatory 12 May 2004
American "exceptionalism" spawned PC
The idea of American "exceptionalism" spawned the Peace Corps, moved mountains of food aid and promoted the spread of human rights but it also led us into the swamps of Vietnam, the jungles of Central America, the deserts of Iraq 12 May 2004
Ecuador RPCV is bald eagle specialist
Ecuador RPCV Mike Smith is a bald eagle specialist who checks out eagle conditions and development over a wide area of California 12 May 2004
Czech Republic RPCV tells story of POWs
Czech Republic RPCV Michael Luick-Thrams tells story of the horrors of being a prisoner of war 12 May 2004
RPCV George Hart killed in stabbing attack
RPCV George Hart killed in stabbing attack 12 May 2004
Shays too focused on foreign affairs?
Opponent has criticized Chris Shays, who has taken five trips to Iraq so far, for being too focused on foreign affairs 12 May 2004
Behind the Volunteers: Nurses
Behind the Volunteers: Nurses 11 May 2004
Baseball introduced to Nigeria by PCVs
Baseball, introduced to Nigeria by U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s, went into abeyance after their departure until the game was revived in 1989 11 May 2004
PC closes OSU office due to budget cuts
Due to budget cuts, Oregon State University's Peace Corps representative office will close on June 11 11 May 2004
Education PCVs sought for Marshall Islands
U.S Peace Corps urgently sought for education in Marshall Islands 10 May 2004
Turkey RPCV urges fight for social justice
Winthrop University Commencement Speaker Turkey RPCV Elaine Jones urges scholars to fight for social justice 9 May 2004
Uzbekistan RPCV probes hard places
Peace Corps Writer Tom Bissell probes the souls of hard places 9 May 2004
RPCV continues work in Afghanistan
Morocco RPCV Sarah Chayes continues work in Afghanistan 8 May 2004
Africa Regional Director speaks at ASU
Africa Regional Director Henry McCoy to speak at Appalachian State University 8 May 2004
Kerry says PC can help heal Abuse Damage
Kerry says Peace Corps Can Help Heal Iraqi Abuse Damage 8 May 2004
Bellamy says not meeting children's goals
Millions of children continue to die from preventable diseases. "We are crawling toward goals that we should be marching toward," UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy 7 May 2004
RPCV Joe Acaba to be US Astronaut
Gaddi H. Vasquez met with Joe Acaba to congratulate him on becoming the first ever former Peace Corps volunteer to become a U.S. astronaut 7 May 2004
Peter McPherson steps down as MSU President
Peru RPCV Peter McPherson to step down as president of Michigan State University 7 May 2004
America becoming most hated country on earth
My friend, a Peace Corps Volunteer, always went the extra mile. Now his son is helping America become the most hated country on earth. 7 May 2004
Shays says terrorist attack this year
"I happen to believe there will be a terrorist attack or more during the course of this year," Chris Shays said 7 May 2004
Baltimore Mayor inspired by Peace Corps
Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley said he grew up in a home "where politics was considered a noble and good thing to do," where pictures of presidents John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt decorated the walls. He was inspired by the Peace Corps, by sacrifices for the country. 6 May 2004
PC Director makes Historic Trip to Azerbaijan
Peace Corps Director Makes Historic First Trip to Azerbaijan 6 May 2004
Dodd says abuse "goes beyond a few bad apples"
Senator Chris Dodd said the photographed abuse of Iraqi prisoners of war "goes beyond a few bad apples." 6 May 2004
Maria Shriver appears on Hardball
Maria Shriver appears on Hardball to discuss her father Sargent Shriver with Chris Matthews 6 May 2004
Matthews says PC "makes you want to be different"
Chris Matthews says the Peace Corps "makes you want to be different. And I‘m not sure better, but certainly different. And it‘s a different world once you come of two years over there in the bush" 6 May 2004
RPCV Susan Boedy directs conference
Mongolia RPCV Susan Boedy directs conference on Building Transatlantic Relations through Women in Business 5 May 2004
Ted Kennedy celebrates "Sarge"
Sen. Ted Kennedy and California first lady Maria Shriver, will host a celebration today of the upcoming biography "Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver" 5 May 2004
RPCV says Turkmenistan Education in downward spiral
A Returned Volunteer says Turkmenistan's Education System in downward spiral 5 May 2004
Bush thanks Vasquez for Cinco de Mayo intro
President Bush said " I want to thank Gaddi Vasquez for his service to our country as the Director of the Peace Corps. I think he is incredibly well-suited to take on this important job of spreading peace and freedom and liberty throughout the world. Plus, you're a darn good introducer." 5 May 2004
Shays says U.S. made mistakes in Iraq
Chris Shays says U.S. made mistakes in Iraq 5 May 2004
Vasquez introduces Bush at White House event
Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez introduces President Bush at White House Cinco de Mayo Event 5 May 2004
Sargent Shriver receives Honorary Degree
University of Hartford to Award Honorary Degree to Sargent Shriver 4 May 2004
Maria Shriver writes "What's happening to Grandpa?"
An excerpt from Maria Shriver's "What's happening to Grandpa?" 4 May 2004
RPCV is an expert on cicadas
Tom Tyler, who started his Extension career while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger immediately after college, is an expert on cicadas 4 May 2004
RPCV builds dream house in Virginia
Ethiopia RPCV Russ Scoville builds dream house in Virginia 4 May 2004
Honduras RPCV gets jobs for Mexicans
Honduras RPCV Mike Bell gets jobs for Mexicans 3 May 2004
RPCV leads Symphony Orchestra
Nicaragua RPCV Brenda S. Nienhouse leads West Shore Symphony Orchestra 3 May 2004
RPCV is Ambassador to Sierra Leone
Thomas N. Hull III, US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, who first went to Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps volunteer nearly 36 years ago says Democracy "Taking Root" in Sierra Leone Amid Fragile Peace 3 May 2004
Senator McCain says PCVs are courageous
Senator John McCain says Those who serve in the Peace Corps are courageous 3 May 2004
RPCV work with literacy recongnized
Jamaica RPCV Jill Walker's work with RIF literacy program receives national recognition 3 May 2004
Tom Delay quietly trying to kill Americorps
Tom Delay quietly trying to kill Americorps 3 May 2004
RPCV Maureen Orth writes new book
An Interview with Colombia RPCV Maureen Orth on her new book 'The Importance of Being Famous' 2 May 2004
Publisher Michael Maidenberg retires
India RPCV Michael Maidenberg, a Pulitzer prize-winning publisher with the Grand Forks (N.D.), Herald for 21 years until his December 2003 retirement, is vice president and chief program officer at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation 2 May 2004
We misunderstand terrorism at our peril
Panama and Colombia RPCV John Freivalds says We misunderstand terrorism at our peril 2 May 2004
DDN team wins Poe award
Russell Carollo and Mei-ling Hopgood of the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News shared a $2,500 prize for "Casualties of Peace," a seven-day series that revealed an outbreak of violence against Peace Corps volunteers. They won the Edgar A. Poe Award for reporting of national or regional significance. 1 May 2004
Backsliding on the environment by Carl Pope
Backsliding on the environment By Sierra Club Director and India RPCV Carl Pope 1 May 2004
Peter McPherson talks about gains in Iraq
Peru RPCV Peter McPherson talks about gains in Iraq 1 May 2004
Chris Shays seeks answers in Iraq
Shays Shuns Pentagon Tour to Seek Answers in Iraq 1 May 2004
RPCV enriched by Adoptions
RPCV Susan Wade is Enriched by Adoptions 30 April 2004