An Urgent Appeal from RPCV Congressman Garamendi on Peace Corps Act

Congressman John Garamendi (Ethiopia 1966-68)

At the close of this historic day marking the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Peace Corps Act into law, California Representative and Ethiopia RPCV John Garamendi issued an urgent appeal to the Peace Corps community.  Please review his two requests, take action, and share with others!

1)  IMMEDIATE PHONE ACTION NEEDED: On Thursday, the House of Representatives will continue its work on the National Defense Authorization Act. A passionate opponent of nuclear weapon proliferation, Garamendi has an amendment (House Floor Amendment 38) to slow the development of the Ground Base Strategic Deterrent (GBSD). According to Garamendi, this program is an unnecessary and costly mistake at the expense of the U.S. taxpayer, and further precipitates the modern nuclear arms race between the United States, Russia, and China. “I believe our current nuclear arsenal exceeds our deterrence requirement, and this is only going to worsen if we proceed with the planned modernization programs. This amendment will strengthen our national security and save billions of tax-payer dollars.” (excerpt of a Garamendi letter to his colleagues)

TAKE ACTION NOW: As this amendment will likely be taken up on Thursday, you are urged to call the DC office of your House Representative early Thursday, and ask that they vote in favor of the Garamendi Amendment – House Floor Amendment 38 – to the National Defense Authorization Act.

2) EMAIL ACTION TO SUPPORT PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS: Representative Garamendi’s Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1456) is expected to go before the House Foreign Affairs Committee as early as next week! In a second appeal to our community, Representative Garamendi appealed for support, as this is the moment to weigh in again to your House Reps to urge them to co-sponsor this legislation (or thank them for their co-sponsorship).