| By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-123-27.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.123.27) on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 11:53 am: Edit Post |
I spoke to Senator Mikulski's office of Maryland this morning and told them that I support the President's proposed budget increase for the Peace Corps and opposed the elimination of Perkins loans.
The staffer asked me to elaborate on the Perkins loans issue. I told her that the President had proposed to eliminate Perkins loans because he wants to transfer the money saved to Pell grants which has a big shortfall. I told her that Perkins loans benefited Peace Corps Volunteers because Perkins loans provide a 15% loan forgiveness for every year of Peace Corps service and this made is easier for students from low income backgrounds to serve in the Peace Corps.
The staffer told me that she didn't know that and would pass it on to the Senator.
The staffer told me that Senator Mikuski had not yet taken a position on the Peace Corps budget or on Perkins loans but would appreciate my comments especially regarding Perkins loans.
Hugh Pickens
President, Maryland Returned Volunteers
Peru, 1970 - 73
| By jay grotke (1cust238.tnt1.dca5.da.uu.net - 67.249.194.238) on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 11:28 am: Edit Post |
left message with staffer 11 am
| By kathy karlson (gao-ng.gao.gov - 161.203.16.1) on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 2:51 pm: Edit Post |
Left a message with Sarbanes and Mikulski.
| By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-123-27.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.123.27) on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 1:07 pm: Edit Post |
I checked back with Senator Mikulski's office today and her staffer says that the Senator has taken the position that she is going to oppose the elimination of Perkins loans.
The staffer also said that they have been getting calls all week regarding the budget increase for the Peace Corps and opposition to the elimination of Perkins loans.
Thanks Maryland RPCVs for supporting the NPCA's National Day (week) of Action. Your calls have had an effect. When we started making calls earlier this week the Senator was not aware of the Perkins Loans issues and now she is a supporter of our position.
I am posting a copy of the original email that we sent out to members of our group up at the top of this page.
Best Regards,
Hugh Pickens
President, Maryland Returned Volunteers
Peru, 1970 - 73