Peace Corps Worldwide

A Writer Writes Our Tax Dollars At Work by William Siegel (Ethiopia 1962-64) I just moved from Boston to Washington DC. It feels like I walked on cobblestones most of the way, carrying my computer and a few hundred books. Otherwise, it’s fine. The weather’s good. I’m looking forward to less snow and more sunshine. There are many more city trees here than there. There are also many more bridges. In Boston, bridges tend to be utilitarian and future looking, with the exception of those crossing the Charles River, connecting to Cambridge, which still look like they were designed by Emerson. In Washington the bridges seem more stately and glide over parks and monuments adding to the mystery of the capital of the present day empire of the world. Somehow my wife and I landed in an apartment in the middle of the city. I think it was mainly because . . .

    US House Rejects Amendment that included One Year Elimination of Peace Corps Fund Congratulations and thanks to the National Peace Corps Association and  everyone in the RPCV Community for all the work in defeating this awful amendment.  NPCA estimates Congress received over 9000 emails and contacts.  Special thanks to John Coyne of Peace Corps World Wide who circulated the information and estimates over 2600 people read it on this website.  All that work was invaluable. Here is the announcement posted on the NPCA website: https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/articles/us-house-of-overwhelmingly-rejects-amendment-that-included-one-year-re-allocation-of-peace-corps-funds?fbclid=IwAR0VFMhk37RFoy07OVLunF_7njIg2WOOSnYOJp5sPeBzC9QeE66c0x5oE2Q Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives came together Tuesday evening to soundly reject a proposal to re-allocate foreign assistance funding in Fiscal Year 2020, including the elimination of all House funds slated for the Peace Corps. An amendment to the State/Foreign Operations funding package to cut just over $19 billion in foreign assistance programs was defeated by a vote of 315 to 110. 81 . . .

Last week, Congressman Mark Walker of North Carolina introduced an amendment to eliminate funding for the #PeaceCorps and other international assistance programs in Fiscal Year 2020, and re-allocate those funds to cover the disaster assistance funds. The impetus for this amendment was Rep. Walker’s concern about the $19 billion dollar spending bill Congress racked up ten days ago for disaster assistance. Congresswoman Nita Lowey took to the House Floor to oppose this amendment and defend the Peace Corps. We hope that you will join us in contacting your congressperson and urge them to oppose Rep. Walker’s amendment before the vote tomorrow,  Tuesday. Visit:https://advocacy.peacecorpsconnect.org/email-congress#/47

Thank you to the National Peace Corps Association for posting this alarming news on their Facebook Page.  Please read it. National Peace Corps Association 30 mins · Yesterday, Congressman Mark Walker of North Carolina introduced an amendment to eliminate funding for the #PeaceCorps and other international assistance programs in Fiscal Year 2020, and re-allocate those funds to cover the disaster assistance funds. The impetus for this amendment was Rep. Walker’s concern about the $19 billion dollar spending bill Congress racked up ten days ago for disaster assistance. Congresswoman Nita Lowey took to the House Floor to oppose this amendment and defend the Peace Corps. We hope that you will join us in contacting your congressperson and urge them to oppose Rep. Walker’s amendment before the vote next Tuesday. Visit: https://advocacy.peacecorpsconnect.org/email-congress#/47 C-SPAN.ORG Opposing Amendment to Eliminate the Peace CorpsChairwoman Lowey rises in strong opposition to Amendment 27 proposed by Rep. Walker, . . .

This is an article published on the 11th of June in The Bond Buyer that outlines what is happening in higher education today in the U.S. Let me ask (to keep the Peace Corps relevant) What if the Peace Corps developed, with one or more universities, Peace Corps Programs where PCVs would go into the developing world and working with universities back here at home–as we once did with Training in the early 60s–but this time have academic programs for Host Country National students so that they could obtain college degrees via computers (provided by the Peace Corps) and never have to leave their villages or travel to the U.S.. Think about that and remember your experiences as a PCV overseas. Using new technology and PCVs on site, we could educate people across the world, not just those who had family money, from countries like China, to come to America. It . . .

    Thanks for the ‘heads up’ from Dale Gilles (Liberia 1964-66) • Grants for projects favored by McConnell raise ethical questions for Elaine Chao   BY CHRIS MILLS RODRIGO From The Hill Paper,6/10/19   Secretary Elaine Chao‘s Department of Transportation (DOT) designated a special liaison for grant applications in Kentucky, the home state of her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R), Politico reported Monday, facilitating awards totaling at least $78 million for projects favored by the GOP lawmaker. The liaison, Todd Inman, reportedly stated in an email to McConnell’s office that Chao had personally asked him to serve as an intermediary who could assist the senator and local Kentucky officials on grants with special significance to McConnell. Those grants included a highway-improvement project in a McConnell political stronghold that had been rejected twice previously, according to Politico. Beginning in April 2017, Inman and Chao reportedly met annually with local officials from Owensboro, Ky., and discussed two projects of special importance: a plan . . .

Thanks for the ‘heads up’ from Maureen Orth (Colombia 1964-66) World Peace World Peace is a celebration of the efforts by artists and statesmen seeking a more peaceful world. Music has long been a vehicle for inspiring people to seek peaceful ways to bridge political and cultural divides. Artists featured on this album include Keb’ Mo’, India Marie, Nina Simone and many more. We greatly appreciate these musicians’ commitment to achieving peace, justice and freedom. 2% of proceeds from this album will be donated to the National Peace Corps Association.  Read more… This album is also available at thousands of gift, book and other specialty stores worldwide and on iTunes. www.putumayo.com.au. © 2019 by Putumayo World Music. Questions? Comments? Please contact us at: info@putumayo.com About the Album Putumayo is pleased to announce the release of World Peace on June 14th, 2019. It was inspired by President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Reverend Martin . . .