Press Release: National Peace Corps Association Praises Record Support From House and Senate

Washington, DC — March 30th, 2010 — Organization stirs momentum to create a bigger, better, bolder Peace Corps in Fiscal Year ’11

The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), the nation’s leading nonprofit organization supporting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) and the Peace Corps community, is praising leaders in the U.S. Congress in their support for a reinvigorated Peace Corps. As part of the National Day of Action on March 2, NPCA along with nearly 60 citizen advocates organized more than 100 meetings with congressional offices to urge support for House and Senate “Dear Colleague” letters urging increased Peace Corps funding. This year NPCA’s efforts helped garner 156 signatures, which was a 28 percent increase from similar letters last year.

“We hope the president’s Peace Corps funding request is honored or exceeded by Congress like last year, when they provided a record-funding increase for the Peace Corps following a similar show of support,” said NPCA President Kevin Quigley. “Through our grassroots advocacy on the Hill, lawmakers and their staff heard first-hand from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and now have an even better understanding about the importance and need for a strong investment in Peace Corps programs.”

Quigley noted the bi-partisan leadership on Capitol Hill for the Peace Corps. In the Senate, RPCV Chris Dodd (D-CT) was joined by Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) in circulating the Peace Corps funding letter. Sam Farr (D-CA), an RPCV, led efforts in the House and was joined by fellow RPCVs Mike Honda (D-CA), Tom Petri (R-WI), Steve Driehaus (D-OH) and John Garamendi (D-CA) in building support for the House letter.

“There are lots of letters like this that get circulated around the House and the Senate, and the strong show of support for the Peace Corps funding letters is a testament to Peace Corps leaders on the Hill and the thousands of supporters around the country,” adds Quigley. “The support received shows lawmakers understand the important role Peace Corps has played over the last fifty years and the ongoing impact volunteers make in advancing grassroots development and fostering cross-cultural understanding.”

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About the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Washington, DC, the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is the nation’s leading 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization supporting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and the Peace Corps community through networking and mentoring to help guide former Volunteers through their continued service back home. It is also the longest-standing advocate for an independent and robust Peace Corps and its values. To learn more, visit: www.peacecorpsconnect.org

Media contact:
Alison Beckwith
Media Consultant
Phone: 301-699-0148

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