MorePeaceCorps: Bigger. Better. Bolder.

The Peace Corps Improvement & Expansion Act

WRITE A LETTER TODAY!

Copy the text below and paste it into your word processing software. Personalize it by filling in the blanks and send to your Senator!

Dear Senator,

I am writing  from ____ to respectfully request you to become a co-sponsor of the Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act 2009 (s. 1382) introduced by Senator Chris Dodd on June 25, 2009.  This bill will help build a bigger, better, bolder Peace Corps for a new century.  

S.1382 authorizes $450, $575, and $700 million to the Peace Corps in FY 2010, 2011, and 2012 –funding increases that would allow the Peace Corps to double the number of volunteers to 16,000 volunteers.  The bill also lays out self-assessment procedures which would enable Peace Corps to partner with other development organizations and innovative NGOs abroad.

The additional resources authorized in s.1382 would be in trusted hands.  On August 7, 2009, the Senate confirmed President Obama’s outstanding selection for the Peace Corps Director, Aaron Williams.  As USAID Mission Director in South Africa, Mr. Williams led a billion dollar foreign assistance program. Mr. Williams, who served as a volunteer in the Dominican Republic, reached the rank of career minister in the Senior Foreign Service and was twice awarded the Presidential Award for distinguished service.  

Recently, the House of Representatives with bipartisan support approved a $450 million appropriation in 2010.  The Senate, on July 9, 2009, approved $373 million, an anemic 10% increase that would allow no meaningful growth or reform.  I also urge you to support the full $450 million when this issue comes to conference.  

The Peace Corps is undersized and starved for resources.  Today, with just 3,800 volunteers/year the Peace Corps is half the size it was in 1966 despite the Peace Corps mission being as relevant today as it was then.   In 2009, the Peace Corps shrunk, cutting 500 volunteer/trainee slots.  This is despite unprecendented demand.  The Peace Corps reports that as many as twenty-five nations are interested in starting Peace Corps programs where none currently exist.  The Peace Corps also confirms that there are real opportunities to expand programs where ones already exist.  We believe it is in our foreign policy and national security interest to pursue these opportunities and responsibly expand the global presence of the Peace Corps.  

Over 195,000 U.S. citizens have answered the call to serve since the Peace Corps was created in 1961, and it is our hope that with robust funding, many more can serve in, and be served by, this vital program.  An often neglected aspect of Peace Corps is that volunteers return to the United States and continue as volunteer leaders back home.  

I would be so grateful if you could co-sponsor s. 1382 and pitch in your vote for $450 million when this issue comes to conference.  

Respectfully,
NAME
PEACE CORPS YEARS (IF RPCV)
ADDRESS
PHONE, EMAIL
TITLE(S)

The Peace Corps Improvement & Expansion Act

WRITE A LETTER TODAY!

About the Campaign News & Events Supporters Take Action States Photos Privacy Policy Contact Us

MorePeaceCorps Campaign. Copyright © 2009. National Peace Corps Association (NPCA). Site by Barrel