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October 6, 2011                                                                                                                      www.PeaceCorpsConnect.org

Greetings! 

 

Our 50th Anniversary Capitol Hill Advocacy Day is yielding results. Nearly 50 lawmakers have become co-sponsors of Peace Corps related legislation.  

 

Meanwhile, two congressional hearings pertaining to Peace Corps were held this week.

 

Advocacy Coordinator Jonathan Pearson will be away for the next two and-a-half weeks.  But he'll be making some stops to connect with RPCVs. 

 

Details below in our October update.

50th Dixons
Thank You to 50th Anniversary Advocacy Day Participants 


When Kay and Kevin Dixon of Spokane Washington met with their Congresswoman - Cathy McMorris Rodgers - on September 22nd they were not alone.  Far from it, as an estimated 500 advocates for the Peace Corps went to Capitol Hill fifty years to the day that the Peace Corps Act was signed into law.  

From the more than 300 constituent meetings that took place, these advocates brought a unifying message, calling on Congress to honor the past, present and future of the Peace Corps.

These dedicated advocates are conducting important follow-up with congressional offices.  They are also raising awareness about their efforts through outreach to local media (including this dispatch from Wisconsin).

Thanks to this collective, coordinated action, there is positive movement on several fronts.
50th Farr and Keld
Hearing Held on Peace Corps Commemorative Legislation 

With a growing bi-partisan list of more than 140 co-sponsors, RPCV Congressman Sam Farr's Peace Corps Commemorative legislation (H.R. 854) was the subject of a public hearing Tuesday before the House Natural Resources Committee's subcommittee on National Parks.  Last year, similar legislation passed the House of Representatives unanimously.

Roger Lewis testified on behalf of the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation.  RPCV Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), a member of the Subcommittee, also voiced his strong support for advancing the legislation.  "The idea of the Peace Corps goes far, far beyond those 200 thousand volunteers"  He said the Peace Corps has endured not only because of the men and women who have served but because of the ideals that Peace Corps represents.  The commemorative will mark those ideals, along with the historic significance of the founding of the Peace Corps in 1961.

If your representative is a member of the Natural Resources Committee and not yet a co-sponsor, please ask him/her to say you are please that House Bill 854 is moving through the committee.  Urge them to co-sponsor this important 50th anniversary legislation today.

Momentum is starting to build for companion legislation in the Senate.  In the aftermath of the 50th anniversary advocacy day, seven additional Senators have become co-sponsors of legislation introduced by Rob Portman (R-OH) and Mark Udall (D-CO).


 

Kate Puzey Safety Legislation Unanimously Passes in Senate 

 

Legislation designed to improve training and support for Peace Corps Volunteers subjected to sexual assault and other violent crimes unanimously passed the Senate last week.  Read this press release about the passage from lead sponsor Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA).

 

The House of Representatives could take action on its version of the legislation as early as this week.

 

At least thirteen additional lawmakers co-sponsored Senate and House legislation on this issue in response to the September 22nd advocacy day.

 

>>Learn More and Take Action 

Dodd and Isakson
Senate Hearing Examines Next 50 Years of the Peace Corps

  
For RPCV and former Senator Chris Dodd, Thursday was the first time back to the halls of Congress and the hearing room where up until last year he led the Senate Foreign Relations Peace Corps Subcommittee.  Dodd (above left, meeting with former colleague Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia) was among those who testified at a hearing focusing on the future of the Peace Corps.

 
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Nationwide Survey Assesses Impact of Peace Corps Over Past 50 Years 

It's the most comprehensive independent survey ever of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to assess the impact Peace Corps has had over the last 50 years.

Our thanks to you if you were one of the more than 11,000 RPCVs who took part in the survey earlier this year.  A release of the final report - coinciding with the 50th anniversary celebration activities in Washington - had some eye popping findings.  Among them were that 98 percent of survey participants said they would recommend Peace Corps service to a family member or friend.  
On the Road Again... 

With the big 50th anniversary clebration in Washington behind us, NPCA Advocacy Coordinator Jonathan Pearson is hitting the road again.  Find out where he's headed, come out and get connected.

 
50th Volunteers
Featured Advocates:

50th Advocacy Volunteers 

  
Did you enjoy the 50th Anniversary Advocacy Day?  Well, just don't thank the NPCA staff, thank your fellow RPCVs too!  

More than 30 RPCVs volunteered leading up to, during and following advocacy day. Together, these individuals donated more than 500 hours of time to help make sure our 50th Capitol Hill Advocacy Day got the week-long celebration off to a good start!  

There is no doubt that each of these volunteers were a critical component to the success of the day.  
 
IN THIS ISSUE
500 Hit the Hill for 50th Advocacy Day

House Hearing for Peace Corps Commemorative

Senate Passes Puzey Legislation

NPCA President Testifies at Senate Hearing

RPCVs and Peace Corps Impact

Here We Come New York and Pennsylvania

Our Volunteers Make All the Difference

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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...        

 

 

Advocacy Day Volunteers    


Read More Below 

 
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We Need Your Financial Support to Advance Key Advocacy Initiatives

 

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Please help support our ongoing advocacy work by making a 50th anniversary gift to NPCA's Advocacy Program today.  It's up to you to help advance initiatives for a bigger, better and bolder Peace Corps.

 

The National Peace Corps Association is recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four Star Charity, the highest rating given by this independent evaluator which analyses the financial health and efficiencies of non-profit organizations.

 

  

 

 

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August Lujan   

August District Meeting Photos

 

With all the recent planning and attention to our 50th anniversary advocacy day, we have not given sufficient thanks to the fantastic group of advocates who took part in our first concerted effort to coordinate district office meetings during the August congressional recess.  

 

With at least 25 confirmed meetings in 14 states, this was a significant step forward in our advocacy.  

 

Follow this link for a photo album featuring some of these meetings.

 

(photo above:  RPCV Amy O'Neill of Farmington New Mexico helped coordinate a local meeting with her Congressman, Ben Lujan)

 

 

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