Advocacy

Sam Farr – Master Chef!

By Jonathan Pearson on Friday, July 8th, 2011

(At the Smithsonian Folklife Festival) This year’s Folklife Festival in Washington must be a dream come true for RPCV Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA).  Not only is the Peace Corps one of the featured attractions.  So is Colombia, the nation where Farr served as a volunteer from 1962 to 1964.

Congressman Farr had the opportunity to visit the Colombia displays and exhibits on Thursday, meeting with a number of the exhibitors and performers and enjoying speaking with them in Spanish – the language he learned and sharpened during his Peace Corps service.

Congressman Farr meets with other Colombia RPCVs, including (l) NPCA Board member Pat Wand (Colombia 63-65)

Then, it was on to the Peace Corps exhibit, where the nine-term Congressman got busy in the kitchen.  As food is such a large part of culture and national heritage, the Folklife Festival includes an area where RPCVs share cooking recipies from their countries of service.  Farr whipped up some Arroz Con Coco (Coconut Rice), ably assisted by a former member of his staff – and former Honduras RPCV – Marc Hanson.

Like many others during the two-week festival, Congressman Farr took his turn on the “Peace Porch”, an area set aside in the middle of the Peace Corps exhibit where 30-minute interviews are held on a variety of subjects that represent the Peace Corps experience.

Congressman Farr on the Peace Porch with Maureen Orth (Colombia 64-66)

Farr shared the stage with fellow Colombia RPCV and longtime friend Maureen Orth.  Both were essential in recent victories in securing record funding for the Peace Corps and spent a portion of their time discussing why – even in difficult economic times –  strong federal funding for the Peace Corps is so important.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival runs through Monday.

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