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Greetings!
Thanks to everyone who took part in the March 3rd National Day of Action.
Last week, two RPCV Congressmen were honored for their leadership.
This Friday, a vigil will remember Kate Puzey and other PCV victims of violence.
Here is your March monthly advocacy update.
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100+ Meetings During National Day of Action
As NPCA advocates from Northern Virginia (left) met on March 3rd with their Congressman, Frank Wolf, dozens of other citizen advocates for the Peace Corps were holding similar meetings across Capitol Hill during our seventh annual National Day of Action in Support of the Peace Corps.
Fifty volunteers participated in Capitol Hill activities. They held 105 meetings with offices of Senators and Congressmen, urging continued support for Peace Corps funding. The group also handed out information in the House urging support for a Peace Corps commemorative. See stories below for updates on these issues.
The presence of the Peace Corps community was evident on March 3rd. Along with face-to-face meetings, advocates helped make sure information packets were distributed to all 539 congressional offices. A number of passers-by stopped in at our staging room with words of encouragement and support. And, armed with canvass bags with both the NPCA and Peace Corps logos, our advocates made many additional connections as they walked the halls of Congress.
As Emily Bird (Niger 09-11) of Cincinnati put it, "I think it's important to speak up for what you think is important. We might not always think so, be we are in charge of what our government does and if you want them to pay attention to something, you have to tell them."
We are grateful to all who came to Captiol Hill, and to everyone who took part in the Day of Action from their homes, sending emails, writing letters and making phone calls. Your participation was essential to expanding the impact of the day! |
Senate Committee Recommends Sustaining Most of Present Peace Corps Funding
Congress continues to consider final federal spending levels for the current fiscal year, which runs through September. In sharp contrast to the House of Representatives - which supported significant cuts that included a $69 million reduction in Peace Corps - the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended only a $5 million reduction in Peace Corps funding, from $400 million to $395 million.
On Wednesday, the full Senate voted against both the Appropriations Committee recommendations and the House proposal. Faced with another deadline next week, the Senate and House will either have to finalize its work, pass another short-term extension, or face a government shutdown. The latest indications are that further compromise could lead to spending reductions somewhere in between the two recent proposals. Follow this link to read more.
Take Action Today with Your Senators: Follow this link to contact your Senators about Peace Corps funding. It is especially important to contact your Senators if they are members of the Appropriations Committee. - If your Senator is a member of the Appropriations Committee, say thank you for recommending $395 million for the Peace Corps for the remaining fiscal year. Ask them to continue to lead on efforts to maintain current funding levels for the Peace Corps.
- For other Senators, write or phone and express your deep concern about proposed cuts to the Peace Corps in the current fiscal year. Ask them to support efforts within the Senate to maintain current funding levels for the Peace Corps.
- Meanwhile, The ONE Campaign has launched a petition drive urging support for portions of the International Affairs Budget that focus on poverty reduction. Follow this link to sign the petition.
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Vigil for PCV Victims of Violence as Hearing Approaches
Family members and supporters of slain Peace Corps Volunteer Kate Puzey are organizing a candlelight vigil at the U.S. Capitol on Friday evening, March 11th - the second anniversary of her death. Follow this link for more details about the vigil.
The vigil comes as the House of Representatives is expected to hold hearings later this month on safety and security issues for Peace Corps volunteers. In advance of this hearing, the group First Action Response - which came together to address the issue of sexual assaults - is gathering stories of former volunteers who experienced sexual assault while serving in the Peace Corps. If you are interested in sharing your story, or would like further information, please contact Casey Frazee at firstresponseaction@gmail.com. All inquiries will be considered confidential.
Follow this link to read the January 21st letter from Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams on this issue.
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Presidential Proclamation Honors Peace Corps, RPCVs
Earlier this year, your outreach efforts helped secure 138 signatures on a House letter asking President Obama to issue a proclamation to mark the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps.
Mission accomplished! The President issued a 50th proclamation on March 1st, which included references to the contributions of RPCVs: "Returned volunteers, enriched by their experiences overseas, bring a deeper understanding of other cultures and traditions back to their home communities in the United States."
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House RPCVs Introduce Commemorative Legislation
In this 50th anniversary year, RPCV Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA), joined by fellow RPCVs Tom Petri (R-WI), Mike Honda (D-CA) and John Garamendi (D-CA) have reintroduced legislation to authorize creation of a commemorative in the nation's capital to mark the historic and enduring significance of the establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961, and the ideals its founding represents.
Support for the bill (H.R. 854) is off to a very positive start.
>>Read More |
Congressional Action and Accolades During Peace Corps Week
The National Peace Corps Association honored two RPCVs with its 2011 Congressional Leadership Award. Wisconsin Congressman Tom Petri (Somalia 66-67), pictured above, received his award on March 4th at a Capitol Hill gathering of NPCA's Director's Circle. California Congressman Sam Farr (Colombia 64-66) was honored at a March 1st House Party - one of more than 700 held around the world.
Fellow RPCV Congressman John Garamendi (Ethiopia 66-68) organized a special Peace Corps hour on the floor of the House of Representatives to mark the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's executive order. Follow this link to read the remarks made by all four RPCVs and others.
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 Featured Advocates: Day of Action Office Volunteers
The behind the scenes preparations for our National Day of Action are immense. A new Congress with more than 100 new members meant lots of phone calls to confirm office locations and names of new staff. Our actions required the preparation of more than 1,000 information packets. Our outreach to you included updating fact sheets and promotional materials, as well as targeted outreach to key lawmakers.
Advocacy intern Liana Bennett and RPCV Sean McLernon (pictured above) were among those who devoted hundreds of hours of volunteer support to help make sure we were ready to hit the Hill on March 3rd. Our sincere thanks to advocacy interns Brooke Byington and Jocelyn Fong, and the following RPCV volunteers: Riley Abbott, Jesse Bailey, Maggie Byrne, Natalie Hall, Sandra Lauffer, Jennifer Leshnower, Richard MacIntyre, Adrienne McCloud and Rita Thrun. We absolutely could not have been ready without your assistance. Thank you! |
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Live in Charleston West Virginia or Harrisonburg Virginia?
Connect with NPCA Advocacy Coordinator Jonathan Pearson this weekend!
On March 12th, Jonathan will attend a 50th anniversary event in Charleston, WV that will include plans for the formation of a West Virginia RPCV group!
On March 13th, Jonathan will be at the Panera Bread on 295 Burgess Road in Harrisonburg, Virginia from 10 AM to 12 Noon for an informal get-together with local RPCVs.
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You still want to make a difference. Be a member to continue serving, connect with others, and support the legacy of the Peace Corps.
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This Month's Featured Advocates...
NPCA's National Day of Action - Behind the Scenes!
Read More Below
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SUBSCRIBE TO NPCA
ADVOCACY NEWS
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Write a letter to a lawmaker as you curl up with a warm cup of...
50th Anniversary Tea!
20% of all sales from purchases of Harmony and Peace Tea will help benefit NPCA and its programs
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Global Food Security and Women
Perhaps you attended an NPCA Global House Party where the issue of food security was discussed.
Oxfam America continues to have programs all around the country to mark International Women's Day and the issue of food security.
Follow this link to see if there's an upcoming program near you.
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A New Online Store
With Lots of New Items!
Check out our new online store ! We offer a wide selection of Peace Corps and NPCA logo merchandise--from t-shirts and coffee mugs, to pins and license plate frames.
A portion of your purchase supports the efforts of the National Peace Corps Association.
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350 Advocates!
That's how many people have already registered for our Capitol Hill Advocacy Day next September, part of NPCA's 50th anniversary celebrations
Register today for all DC 50th anniversary activities next September
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ORGANIZATIONS FEATURED IN THIS MONTH'S ADVOCACY NEWS
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ONE Campaign
Oxfam America
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