The Peace Corps Writers are funding a researcher to take a closer look at Mr Vasquez's background in preparation for the upcoming confirmation hearings. PCOL has pledged $100 and encourages other rpcvs and rpcv groups to help.

Subject: The Vasquez Nomination

The Gaddi Vasquez nomination to be the Peace Corps Director is moving forward. While the NPCA Board and the NPCA Presidents' Forum, representing affiliated groups, met on September 21 and decided not to oppose the nomination, they are encouraging individual members and affiliated groups to express their own views. A number of us have already expressed our view that Gaddi Vasquez is an inappropriate nominee, especially now when we need someone (RPCV or not) who has a background and understanding of the world beyond being just an Orange County board supervisor who resigned in disgrace when the county went spectacularly bankrupt as a result of his and four other supervisors' improper investment of public funds.

In arriving at our position, we take up one of the goals of the NPCA itself, "Ensure the continued success of the Peace Corps." Our individual and independent effort is to see that the agency has a director who has impeccable qualifications. We believe in the mission of the Peace Corps. It is why we joined, and why we continue to be passionate about the work that Peace Corps Volunteers do today. And, today, as we all know, we need the work that Volunteers do in the field. They represent, as a recent director, Mark Gearan often said, the best of America.

Those of us leading the opposition of to the Gaddi Vasquez nomination have located a skilled researcher in Southern California who can do basic research into the candidate's background. This person may find that Gaddi Vasquez is eminently qualified for this international position - or not.

Whatever is found, we will share with the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that will review this nomination. At the very least, the information may provide the Senators with some questions that they might ask Mr. Vasquez when he appears before their committee.

To assure that the Peace Corps is led by the best, we need to fund this basic research into Mr. Vasquez's career. The research will cost $1,000 a week. We hope to raise $3,000 for three weeks of work. We have already raised approximately $700 from individual RPCVs. If you - or your group -are willing to pledge 10-20-50-100 dollars (or more), please let me know ASAP. The decision to have this research done needs to be made by Monday, October 15. We have only a few weeks before the nomination moves forward in the Senate. If there is not a shared interest by RPCVs (beyond signing a petition) then we will stop our efforts. Please pass this email onto everyone you know who is concerned about the Peace Corps. When and where to send your contribution will be posted later, if we move forward. Thank you for your efforts.

John Coyne

(Ethiopia 1962-64)

jpcoyne@cnr.edu (John P. Coyne)