1985.10.08: October 8, 1985: Headlines: Presidents - Kennedy: Ruppe: Shriver: Vaughn: Dodd: New York Times: 25th Anniversary of the Peace Corps

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Directors of the Peace Corps: Peace Corps Director Loret Ruppe Miller (1981 - 1989): Loret Ruppe Miller: 1985.10.08: October 8, 1985: Headlines: Presidents - Kennedy: Ruppe: Shriver: Vaughn: Dodd: New York Times: 25th Anniversary of the Peace Corps

By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.110.31) on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - 6:42 pm: Edit Post

25th Anniversary of the Peace Corps

25th Anniversary of the  Peace Corps

At the University of Michigan, where John F. Kennedy asked students 25 years ago if they would be willing to dedicate a part of their lives to serving their country abroad, the anniversary of the idea that grew into the Peace Corps was celebrated today. Leading the ceremony was Vice President Bush who, while warmly received by about 200 former Peace Corps volunteers, was jeered by thousands of students holding signs and banners protesting the policies of the United States in Latin America and South Africa. At one point, Mr. Bush suggested that it would be ''nice'' if the protesters had the freedom to ''take their act to Red Square in Moscow.''

25th Anniversary of the Peace Corps

PEACE CORPS: 25 YEARS' CARE FOR A WORLD

By SUSAN PASTOR, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES

Published: October 8, 1985

At the University of Michigan, where John F. Kennedy asked students 25 years ago if they would be willing to dedicate a part of their lives to serving their country abroad, the anniversary of the idea that grew into the Peace Corps was celebrated today.

Leading the ceremony was Vice President Bush who, while warmly received by about 200 former Peace Corps volunteers, was jeered by thousands of students holding signs and banners protesting the policies of the United States in Latin America and South Africa. At one point, Mr. Bush suggested that it would be ''nice'' if the protesters had the freedom to ''take their act to Red Square in Moscow.''

Mr. Bush said that from its inception the Peace Corps was ''a show of good will and caring of people, for people, unlike any country had ever undertaken before.'' But, he went on, the organization will continue its efforts, particularly in Africa.

Problems of Vietnam Era

Other speakers said the organization had largely recovered from problems it suffered in the Vietnam War.

''The Peace Corps is better than ever,'' said Jack Hood Vaughn, a former director. ''Vietnam almost killed us. On the one hand we were doing peace and on the other hand we were at war. That conflict was just about to get us.''

R. Sargent Shriver, who directed the organization under President Kennedy, said the Peace Corps ''did go through a dark night of the soul during the time of President Nixon,'' adding, ''It has begun, in the last few years to emerge.''

Kennedy first proposed an organization like the Peace Corps early in the morning of Oct. 14, 1960, on a campaign stop at the University of Michigan. It was only hours after his third televised debate with Vice President Nixon, his Republican opponent, and 10,000 students had waited for hours to hear him speak.

'Americans Willing to Contribute'

According to transcript of the speech, recorded by the University's radio station, Kennedy asked the students if they were willing to use skills to serve others abroad. ''On your willingness to contribute part of your life to this country, I think will depend the answer whether a free society can compete,'' he said. ''I think it can. And I think Americans are willing to contribute.''

The students' reaction was enthusiastic and, ultimately, more than 120,000 Americans joined the Peace Corps and served in 90 countries around the world. Currently there are 5,200 volunteers in more than 60 countries.

Mr. Shriver said today that organization's objectives are the same as they were in 1961 when Kennedy signed the Executive Order creating it: to send trained workers where they were needed, to enable volunteers to learn about other cultures, to teach people in other countries about the United States and to enable Americans to learn from returned volunteers about the needs and hopes of those in other countries.

Today the Peace Corps, directed by Loret Miller Ruppe, is seeking to raise the number of its volunteers to 10,000, although its $120 million budget has not been increased.

''That's less than the government spend on military bands,'' a spokesman for the Peace Corps said. Nevertheless, a recent request for 600 volunteers to help alleviate hunger in Ethiopia drew 10,000 replies. The average age of volunteers now is over 30, compared with about 23 in the l960's. There are now more college graduates and skilled specialists.

Two former volunteers, Representative Paul B. Henry, a Michigan Republican and Senator Christopher J. Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, have introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring Peace Corps volunteers.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Peace Corps Annual Report: 1985; Presidents - Kennedy; Loret Miller Ruppe (Director 1981 - 1989); Shriver; Jack Vaughn; RPCV Chris Dodd (Dominican Republic)





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Story Source: New York Times

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Presidents - Kennedy; Ruppe; Shriver; Vaughn; Dodd

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