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Peace Corps Director Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s example is proof that one person's leadership and contributions can improve and strengthen an entire nation. His devotion to helping others reflects the true spirit of service, and his example continues to motivate individuals to serve larger causes," Director Williams said.
Peace Corps Director Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service
Peace Corps Director Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service
Caption: Director Williams joined Peace Corps staff in preparing dinner at a Washington, D.C., food kitchen.
Encourages Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to Participate in Service Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 18, 2011 – In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams encouraged all Americans and volunteers worldwide to participate in service projects and honor Dr. King's legacy.
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s example is proof that one person's leadership and contributions can improve and strengthen an entire nation. His devotion to helping others reflects the true spirit of service, and his example continues to motivate individuals to serve larger causes," Director Williams said.
"Peace Corps volunteers worldwide embody the vision of service that Dr. King embodied. Current and returned Peace Corps volunteers make service a part of their daily lives."
To honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s spirit of service, Director Williams joined Peace Corps staff in preparing dinner at a Washington, D.C., food kitchen. Other Peace Corps staff members also participated in a MLK Day Service Project by painting murals of Dr. King on the walls of a Washington, D.C., high school.
Earlier in the week, Director Williams joined Corporation for National and Community ServiceDirector Patrick Corvington in writing a national op-ed on the importance of service.
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Headlines: January, 2011; Civil Rights; Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams; Service
When this story was posted in June 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Congress Holds Hearings on Sexual Assault
Congress held hearings on the sexual assault of Peace Corps volunteers. Read the testimony of returned and current Peace Corps volunteers on how the problem is still ongoing, and not limited to any particular country or region. Director Williams says that "it has become apparent to me that the Peace Corps has not always been sufficiently responsive or sensitive to victims of crime and their families. I sincerely regret that." Read what the Peace Corps is doing to address the issue.
Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years
As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest.
How Volunteers Remember Sarge
As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge."
PCV Murder Investigated
ABC News has investigated the murder of Benin PCV Kate Puzey. Read our original coverage of the crime, comments on Peace Corps actions, the email Puzey sent her country director about sexual incidents with Puzey's students and with another PCV, the backstory on how RPCVs helped the Puzey family, and Peace Corps' official statement. PCOL Editorial: One major shortcoming that the Puzey murder highlights is that Peace Corps does not have a good procedure in place for death notifications.
Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .
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