May 5, 2005: Headlines: Figures: Directors - Vasquez: Minorities: Hispanic Issues: Chicago Sun Times: One of the biggest changes in the Peace Corps is the appointment by President Bush of Gaddi Vasquez as the corps' 16th director. He is the first Hispanic American to hold this position. Interestingly, as he visits other countries, the people he meets are surprised to discover that he is, in fact, an American.

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Library: Peace Corps: Minority Volunteers: Peace Corps Minority Volunteers: Newest Stories: May 5, 2005: Headlines: Figures: Directors - Vasquez: Minorities: Hispanic Issues: Chicago Sun Times: One of the biggest changes in the Peace Corps is the appointment by President Bush of Gaddi Vasquez as the corps' 16th director. He is the first Hispanic American to hold this position. Interestingly, as he visits other countries, the people he meets are surprised to discover that he is, in fact, an American.

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-181-108.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.181.108) on Thursday, May 05, 2005 - 8:06 pm: Edit Post

One of the biggest changes in the Peace Corps is the appointment by President Bush of Gaddi Vasquez as the corps' 16th director. He is the first Hispanic American to hold this position. Interestingly, as he visits other countries, the people he meets are surprised to discover that he is, in fact, an American.

One of the biggest changes in the Peace Corps is the appointment by President Bush of Gaddi Vasquez as the corps' 16th director. He is the first Hispanic American to hold this position. Interestingly, as he visits other countries, the people he meets are surprised to discover that he is, in fact, an American.

One of the biggest changes in the Peace Corps is the appointment by President Bush of Gaddi Vasquez as the corps' 16th director. He is the first Hispanic American to hold this position. Interestingly, as he visits other countries, the people he meets are surprised to discover that he is, in fact, an American.

Corps values remain vital

May 5, 2005

BY GERY CHICO

Remember the Peace Corps? If you're old enough, you probably recall the commotion when President Kennedy launched his great initiative, sending eager young Americans to Third World countries. If you're not old enough, maybe you heard about it in a history class.

Kennedy actually floated the idea during a campaign appearance at the University of Michigan, challenging the students to serve their country in the cause of peace. In his first year in office, he created the Peace Corps, with his brother-in-law, Sergent Shriver, as the director. The goals were simple and direct: help people in other countries, promote a better understanding of Americans in those countries and promote a better understanding of those countries in America.

By 1963, 7,300 volunteers were working in 44 countries, in all parts of the world.

Somehow, during the events of the next few decades, we sort of lost track of the Peace Corps. Recently, I found it again at a luncheon at DePaul University, hosted by the Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, the university's president. The guest of honor was the corps' current director, Gaddi Vasquez.

Guess what? The Peace Corps is alive and doing well. Since 1961, it has sent 178,000 volunteers into 138 countries, where they have helped local people with education, agriculture, health care, the environment, youth outreach and community development.

Through nine presidential administrations, these volunteers have served as America's best ambassadors. They show the human face of this nation to many thousands of people in each of these countries. Living with the locals, they share their food, housing and customs. They become friends as well as helpers.

The Peace Corps has changed somewhat over the years. Although most of the volunteers are young, there's a surprising number of older people signing up; 6 percent of today's volunteers are over 50. One is 84. More attention is given to HIV/AIDS and to fostering the development of small businesses.

Yet, still, Chicagoans like Jessica Maiorca remain the corp's backbone. Jessica, 25, upon graduation from UIC, chose to serve in the Peace Corps in Ghana working with women in building their business and entrepreneurial skills. This certainly can and should be the image of the United States.

One of the biggest changes in the Peace Corps is the appointment by President Bush of Vasquez as the corps' 16th director. He is the first Hispanic American to hold this position. Interestingly, as he visits other countries, the people he meets are surprised to discover that he is, in fact, an American. Oh yes, he is indeed an American, and he is promoting worldwide understanding of the multiethnic nature of our country.

Vasquez says, "As a youth, I remember watching the Peace Corps commercials featuring Bob Hope as narrator. I was moved by the whole idea of international service, and today, I have realized a lifetime aspiration. My grandparents came to the United States from Mexico, and I am certain they would be surprised and pleased to know that their grandson has been named director of the Peace Corps. As a young Latino, I always made service to others a high priority. I am living the fulfillment of a dream."

At a time when some United State's international policies create concern in many countries, and so many around the world would have such a low opinion of us, we need the Peace Corps more than ever.

We need other countries to know that we are a compassionate, caring people who want to build mutual understanding as a foundation for peace.

As the example of Jessica Maiorca shows, the Peace Corps is a great opportunity for young people, recently graduated from school, to serve their country while helping others. It is a great learning experience that they will remember the rest of their lives. But it is also a good option for retired people. I know there are many recent retirees who find themselves at loose ends, after years of hard work. Whether you are a recent graduate or retiree, all of us should consider the Peace Corps.

If we cannot take time out to serve, we should at least support the corps, and should encourage others to serve the cause of peace. No doubt about it, John F. Kennedy's challenge is as vital today as it was in 1960.

Gery Chico is senior partner at the law firm of Chico and Nunes and former president of the Chicago Board of Education.





When this story was posted in May 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:


The Peace Corps Library Date: March 27 2005 No: 536 The Peace Corps Library
Peace Corps Online is proud to announce that the Peace Corps Library is now available online. With over 30,000 index entries in 500 categories, this is the largest collection of Peace Corps related stories in the world. From Acting to Zucchini, you can find hundreds of stories about what RPCVs with your same interests or from your Country of Service are doing today. If you have a web site, support the "Peace Corps Library" and link to it today.

Top Stories and Breaking News PCOL Magazine Peace Corps Library RPCV Directory Sign Up

April 30, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Date: April 29 2005 No: 580 April 30, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
Carol Bellamy's approach earned her many critics 29 Apr
Vermont has highest per-capita PCVs in service 29 Apr
Jim Doyle to veto photo id voting bill 28 Apr
Tom Weisner sworn in as mayor of Aurora 28 Apr
Tony Hall says parents in Uganda must protect children 27 Apr
Ray Tidwell optimistic about the strawberry crop 27 Apr
Tom Petri pushes federal Student Aid Reward Act 26 Apr
Zell Miller illuminates his feud with Chris Matthews 26 Apr
The Estabrooks heading for Burkina Faso 26 Apr
James Walsh leads Nepal delegation 25 Apr
Michele Linnen opens Photography Show in Paris 25 Apr
Sam Farr opposes energy bill 25 Apr
Shiv Maira remembered by children in Turkmenistan 24 Apr
Juana Bordas works toward a "Multicultural Nation" 24 Apr
Christopher Hill consulting officials in Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul 23 Apr
PC says program in Uzbekistan is fully operational 23 Apr
John Platt's Andina named "Restaurant Of The Year" 22 Apr

April 30, 2005:  Special Events Date: April 29 2005 No: 579 April 30, 2005: Special Events
RPCV Writers scholarship in Baltimore - deadline June 1
Gary Edwards' music performed in Idaho on May 24
Jody Olsen speaks at Ivy College on May 6
Delano Lewis to speak in Albuquerque on May 2 25 Apr
Nepal RPCV film showing in Massachusetts on April 30
RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000  strong Date: April 2 2005 No: 543 Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong
170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.


Read the stories and leave your comments.






Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Chicago Sun Times

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; Directors - Vasquez; Minorities; Hispanic Issues

PCOL20107
24

.


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: