News & Events

May 11, 2010

Peace Corps Announces Return to Colombia

In the latest move toward Peace Corps expansion, the agency has announced plans to return to Colombia.

Under an agreement signed this week, Peace Corps expects to have volunteers return to Colombia this fall.  Volunteers last served in Colombia in 1981.

Peace Corps has recently also announced plans to return to Indonesia and Sierra Leone.

Follow this link to read more.

May 10, 2010

RPCVs Urge Peace Corps’ Return to Bolivia

As Peace Corps begins its return - after long absences - to Indonesia and Sierra Leone, the more recent 2008 departure from Bolivia is the subject of an advocacy effort by an independent group of RPCVs who served there.

One hundred Bolivia RPCVs - representing different years of service, regions of service and assignments - have written to Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams asking that volunteers return to the Andean nation.  Follow this link to read the letter. 

One of those RPCVs, Robert Norman (2007 - 2008), has also been collecting letters from Bolivian citizens asking for Peace Corps to return.  "The overwhelming response we have received inside Bolivia as well as from within the USA has been an amazing testament to the fact that our countries have a deeply established desire to share in the continuation of the Peace Corps."

The letter to the director notes that other volunteer organizations continue to operate in Bolivia.

The Bolivia RPCVs have posted a site on Facebook for those who are interested in learning more or getting involved in this effort.

Apr 15, 2010

Senate Action to Support Peace Corps, International Affairs Budget

Robust funding for the Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2011 will be impaceted - in no small part - by the amount of overall funding provided in the International Affairs Budget.

Here is an action alert provided by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition in which your Senators can take action to urge support for the President's International Affairs Budget.  You can go to the state pages of this website for contact information for Senators: 

Action Needed:

Right now a bipartisan letter led by Sens. Kerry (D-MA), Lugar (R-IN), Feinstein (D-CA), Voinovich (R-OH), Durbin (D-IL) and Menendez (D-NJ) is circulating in the Senate to Budget Committee Chairman Conrad (D-ND) and Ranking Member Gregg (R-NH) in support of the International Affairs Budget. With the Senate Budget Committee mark-up only days away, we need more Senators to sign this important letter by Friday, April 16th.

Please contact Senate offices immediately and urge them to sign this bipartisan letter to demonstrate the critical importance of the International Affairs Budget to America’s security and prosperity.

1.    Call: Contact priority Senators today and urge them to sign the Senate Budget Letter in support of full funding for the International Affairs Budget.

2.    E-mail a letter: E-mail a letter to your Senator(s) urging them to sign the letter.  A sample message is below. (Note:  You can reference your strong support for robust Peace Corps funding as one of many key international assistance programs that are deserving of support).

Current Signatories of the Senate Letter Urging Support of full funding for the International Affairs Budget:  (If your Senators are listed here, say thank you!)

Sens. Akaka (D-HI), Bingaman (D-NM), Brown (D-OH), Cardin (D-MD), Casey (D-PA), Collins (R-ME), Durbin (D-IL), Feingold (D-WI), Feinstein (D-CA), Franken (D-MN), Gillibrand (D-NY), Kerry (D-MA), Klobuchar (D-MN), Leahy (D-VT), Levin (D-MI), Lieberman (ID-CT), Lugar (R-IN), Menendez (D-NJ), Merkley (D-OR), Shaheen (D-NH), Specter (D-PA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Voinovich (R-OH), Whitehouse (D-RI), and Wyden (D-OR)

Priority Senators Who Still Need to Sign the Letter:

Key Democrats: Sens. Begich (D-AK), Bennet (D-CO), Boxer (D-CA), Burris (D-IL), Cantwell (D-WA), Dodd (D-CT), Harkin (D-IA), Inouye (D-HI), Johnson (D-SD), Kaufman (D-DE), Kohl (D-WI), Landrieu (D-LA), Lautenberg (D-NJ), McCaskill (D-MO), Mikulski (D-MD), Murray (D-WA), Pryor (D-AR), Reed (D-RI), Rockefeller (D-WV), Sanders (I-VT), Stabenow (D-MI), Mark Udall (D-CO), and Warner (D-VA)

Key Republicans: Sens. Bond (R-MO), Corker (R-TN), Chambliss (R-GA), Isakson (R-GA), Johanns (R-NE), LeMieux (R-FL), Risch (R-ID), Roberts (R-KS) and Snowe (R-ME)

Talking Points:

• I am calling to urge Senator [insert name] to sign the Kerry-Lugar-Feinstein-Voinovich budget letter urging Chairman Conrad and Ranking Member Gregg to include the President’s full request for the International Affairs Budget in the Senate Budget Resolution.
   
• Senator [insert name] has signed previous letters such as this in support of robust funding for the International Affairs Budget, including the December 2009 letter to the President signed by 247 Members of the House and Senate.
   
• A mere 1.4% of the entire federal budget, the International Affairs Budget funds essential diplomatic and development programs vital to protecting our national security, promoting our nation's economic prosperity, and demonstrating our moral and humanitarian values around the world. 
   
• Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates and senior retired military leaders all have called for increased funding for the International Affairs Budget because it is essential to our nation’s national security and to implementing a “smart power” strategy in U.S. foreign policy.
  

(Sample Letter to Senators)

I am writing to urge you to sign the Senate Budget Letter to Chairman Conrad and Ranking Member Gregg in support of full funding for the FY11 International Affairs Budget.

A mere 1.4% of the entire federal budget, the International Affairs Budget funds essential diplomatic and development programs that improve the lives of millions of people around the world, while protecting our national security, promoting economic prosperity, and demonstrating our humanitarian values. Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates and over 50 retired military leaders support increased funding for the International Affairs Budget as essential to national security and to implementing a “smart power” strategy in U.S. foreign policy.

Our nation cannot afford to shortchange these vital programs, especially during these difficult economic times. Your support for the International Affairs Budget ensures America has the necessary “smart power” tools and resources it needs to strengthen U.S. national security and our humanitarian interests.

Apr 13, 2010

Senate Committee Approves Dodd Legislation, Peace Corps Deputy Director

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee had Peace Corps on the agenda at today's business meeting.

The Committee gave its approval to Senate Bill 1382, the Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act. Authored by RPCV Senator Chris Dodd, the legislation calls upon the agency to conduct an assesment of 18 issues identified as key to the improvement and expansion of Peace Corps operations, and provide a strategic plan that includes one and five year goals and benchmarks to measure progress.

The Bill was passed with a manager's amendment which eliminated the funding levels specifed in the original text. A member of Senator Dodd's staff commented that this will allow for more focus on improving and reforming the Peace Corps.

The Committee also approved the nomination of former NPCA Board Member Carrie Hessler-Radelet to become the next Deputy Director of the Peace Corps.

With today's votes by the Committee, both the legislation and the Hessler-Radelet nomination go to the full Senate for final approval.

Mar 29, 2010

The Final Count?  32 in the Senate, 124 in the House

Thanks to the work of so many incredible advocates, a total of 156 members of Congress signed Senate or House Dear Colleague letters supporting increased Peace Corps funding in Fiscal Year 2011.

In the Senate, a bi-partisan list of 32 lawmakers aigned onto a letter urging robust funding for the Peace Corps.  Led by RPCV Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Bob Corker (R-TN), the letter was signed by Senators from 23 states representing all regions of the country.  Follow this link to see who signed and (if you are a constituent) to thank those Senators for taking positive action!

In the House, a record number 124 representatives signed onto a letter seeking $465 million for the Peace Corps in the coming fiscal year.  This strong demonstration of support is well above the 89 lawmakers who signed a similar letter last year.  Once again, Peace Corps champion and RPCV Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) spearheaded this effort, and was assisted by fellow RPCVs Mike Honda (D-CA), Tom Petri (R-WI), Steve Driehaus (D-OH) and John Garamendi (D-CA).  Follow this link to see who signed and (if you are a constituent) to thank those Congressmen/women for taking positive action!

(Photo Above:  During this year's National Day of Action, Congressman Bill Foster - 2nd from right, met with National Peace Corps Association advocates Rob Marshall, Rachel Shattuck and Mike Wood.  Congressman Foster signed the House Dear Colleague letter for the first time.  This was one of 112 meetings conducted by nearly 60 advocates who supported others who phoned, faxed and emailed their lawmakers.)

Mar 18, 2010

Last Call for Your Senators to Sign Peace Corps Funding Letter

The deadline for signing on to the Dodd-Corker Peace Corps funding letter (which requests "robust funding for Peace Corps" in Fiscal Year 2011) is noon on Friday, March 19th.

ACTION NEEDED NOW With Key Remaining Senators:

Below you will find a list of key Senators WHO HAVE NOT SIGNED THIS YEAR'S LETTER.  If your Senator(s) are listed below, please take the following action:

• Contact the office of the Senator and ask to speak with the staff who handles international affairs issues.
• Identify yourself as a constituent and leave this message:  "I am calling to urge Senator _____ to sign the Dodd-Corker Peace Corps funding letter which requests robust funding for the Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2011.  The deadline for signing this letter is Friday, March 19th at noon.  Signatures are being collected by Ben Weingrod in Senator Dodd's office or Stacie Oliver in Senator Corker's office."
• Ask other friends and neighbors to make a similar request.
• If you prefer to send an email you can follow this link to find your Senator's email web form: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
• Contact us at if you have any questions.  Thank you!

The following are key Senators (and their Washington office phone number) who HAVE NOT SIGNED THIS YEAR'S LETTER:

Alaska:  Mark Begich (202-224-3004) and Lisa Murkowski (202-224-6665)

REMIND SENATOR BEGICH that he signed a similar Peace Corps funding letter last year.

Arkansas: Blanche Lincoln (202-224-4843) and Mark Pryor (202-224-2353)

REMIND SENATOR LINCOLN that she signed a similar Peace Corps funding letter last year.

Delaware: Ted Kaufman (202-224-5042) and Tom Carper (202-224-2441)

REMIND SENATOR KAUFMAN that he signed a similar Peace Corps funding letter last year.

Florida: Bill Nelson (202-224-5274) and George Lemieux (202-224-3041)

REMIND SENATOR NELSON that he signed a similar Peace Corps funding letter last year.

Illinois: Roland Burris (202-224-2854)

REMIND SENATOR BURRIS that he signed a similar Peace Corps funding letter last year.

Indiana: Richard Lugar (202-224-4814) and Evan Bayh (202-224-5623)

Iowa: Charles Grassley (202-224-3744)

Kansas: Pat Roberts (202-224-4774)

Maryland: Barbara Mikulski (202-224-4654)

REMIND SENATOR MIKULSKI that she has regularly signed similar Peace Corps funding letters in past years.

Massachusetts: Scott Brown (224-4543)

Michigan: Debbie Stabenow (202-224-4822)

Minnesota: Amy Klobuchar (202-224-3244) and Al Franken (202-224-5641)

REMIND SENATOR KLOBUCHAR that she signed a similar Peace Corps funding letter last year.

Mississippi: Roger Wicker (202-224-6253)

Missouri: Claire McCaskill (202-224-6154)

Montana: Max Baucus (202-224-2651) and Jon Tester (202-224-2644)

Nevada: Harry Reid (202-224-3542)

REMIND MAJORITY LEADER REID that he signed a similar Peace Corps funding letter last year.

New Hampshire: Jeanne Shaheen (202-224-2841)

REMIND SENATOR SHAHEEN that she signed a similar Peace Corps funding letter last year.

New Jersey: Robert Menendez (202-224-4744)

REMIND SENATOR MENENDEZ that he has regularly signed similar Peace Corps funding letters in past years.

New York: Charles Schumer (202-224-6542)

REMIND SENATOR SCHUMER that he has regularly signed similar Peace Corps funding letters in past years.

Ohio: George Voinovich (202-224-3353)

Pennsylvania: Arlen Specter (202-224-4254)

Rhode Island: Jack Reed (202-224-4642)

South Carolina: Lindsey Graham (202-224-5792)

Tennessee: Lamar Alexander (202-224-4944)

Utah: Orrin Hatch (202-224-5251)

Vermont:  Bernie Sanders (202-224-4115)

REMIND SENATOR SANDERS that he has regularly signed this Peace Corps funding letter in the past.

Virginia: Jim Webb (202-224-4024) and Mark Warner (202-224-2023)

Washington: Maria Cantwell (202-224-3441)

West Virginia: Jay Rockefeller (202-224-6472)

REMIND SENATOR ROCKEFELLER that he has regularly signed this Peace Corps funding letter in the past.

Wisconsin: Herb Kohl (202-224-5653)

Wyoming: Mike Enzi (202-224-3424)

Feb 28, 2010

28 Lawmakers Now Signed On to House Peace Corps Funding Letter

The number of Congressmen/women signing on to the Peace Corps funding letter being circulated by RPCV Congressmen Farr, Honda, Petri, Driehaus and Garamendi has climed to 28.

The latest additions are Representatives Keith Ellison (MN), Ed Markey (MA), Henry Waxman (CA), Donald Payne (NJ), Donna Edwards (MD), John Conyers (MI), Hank Johnson (GA), Jan Schakowsky (IL) and Jerrold Nadler (NY).

Follow this link for the complete list of signers to date.  Securing additional signatures will be a primary focus of Tuesday's National Day of Action.  A similar letter is expected to begin circulating in the U.S. Senate this week.