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U.S. Senate confirms Gaddi Vasquez as Peace Corps director
Saturday, January 26, 2002 Breaking News Sections
(01-26) 07:33 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --
The U.S. Senate has confirmed the Bush administration nomination of former Orange County Supervisor Gaddi Vasquez as director of the Peace Corps.
Vasquez was one of 40 presidential nominees confirmed unanimously Friday without dissent.
"I am very pleased that the U.S. Senate has confirmed my nomination from President Bush," Vasquez said in a statement released by the Peace Corps. "I look forward to coming to the Peace Corps and working with this fine organization that means so much to the world."
Vasquez, a former police officer who also became an executive with Southern California Edison, will lead the 7,300-volunteer agency despite opposition by a group of former corps volunteers. During a contentious confirmation hearing in December, Vasquez's critics lamented his lack of international experience and role in Orange County's $1.6 billion bankruptcy in 1994.
His detractors said they were frustrated with his confirmation for the $133,700-a-year job.
"I think we expected it, and I think it's wait-and-see at this point," said former volunteer Barbara Ferris. "I can assure you that we will watch his tenure closely."
John Coyne, a leader of a group called the Committee to Preserve the Peace Corps, also said he was disappointed with the confirmation.
Coyne and other critics said politics rather than policy played a role in Vasquez's appointment. As an adviser to Bush's presidential campaign, Vasquez transferred $100,000 from his dormant campaign treasury to the Bush campaign.
Vasquez did have strong support from the state's two Democratic senators. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, spoke in favor of his nomination.
"I think he deserves this chance," said Boxer, who added that Vasquez promised her he would expand the program.
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