The Peace Corps Commemorative
Ohio Senator Rob Portman (center) with NPCA President Kevin Quigley and intern (and Oberlin College student) Ty Diringer. In July, 2011 Senator Portman introduced Peace Corps commemorative legislation
Take Action with your Lawamkers Now
Since its founding in 1961, the Peace Corps has been a testament to the American ideals of humanitarian service, global peace and friendship, and an unwavering commitment to building a better world for all of humanity. It has been, as eminent historian Doris Kearns Goodwin describes, “an enduring American legacy of service in the cause of peace, a timeless symbol of some of America’s most honorable ideals and aspirations.”
In order to honor such a monumental legacy, the National Peace Corps Association established the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to urge our legislators to authorize the construction of a commemorative work in the nation’s capital, marking the historic and enduring significance of the establishment of the Peace Corps and the American ideals upon which it was founded.
The Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation is envisioning a modest urban garden near the Washington D.C. monumental core, in which visitors to D.C. can stroll and gather while contemplating the Peace Corps’ pivotal establishment and its vision for international understanding and peace through service. The commemorative would not be a memorial to any particular individuals nor to the agency itself, but rather would celebrate the Peace Corps’ founding as the first-ever international service organization of its kind in the history of the world.
Congressman Farr introduces Peace Corps Commemorative legislation to the House last September. Click image to view his speech!
In 2010, Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) introduced legislation into the House of Representatives to approve such a commemorative. In his 2010 speech presenting the legislation, Representative Farr described the Commemorative as ”a place to contemplate the spirit of hope that gave rise to the…creation of a unique form of public service that seeks peace through international service, people-to-people diplomacy, and cross-cultural understanding.”
With such a champion for the Peace Corps on Capitol Hill, the 2010 legislation passed unanimously in the House. When a new Congress began its work in 2011, identical legislation [H.R. 854] was re-introduced on March 1st, the 50th Anniversary of President Kennedy’s executive order to establish the Peace Corps. Authored by RPCV Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) and supported by fellow RPCVs Tom Petri (R-WI), Mike Honda (D-CA) and John Garamendi (D-CA), the bi-partisan bill has nearly 150 co-sponsors.
Read H.R. 854
Read a one-page summary of the legislation, which lays out some more of the details on the proposed commemorative.
View historian statements on H.R. 854.
In late July, 2011, companion legislation was introduced in the Senate. Led by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), the legislation – S. 1421 – is co-sponsored by Senator Mark Udall (D-CO). With a growing list of co-sponsors, the legislation was unanimously passed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is on its way to the Senate floor.
Read S. 1421
Take Action with Your Lawmakers:
Follow this link to see if your Congressman/woman is a co-sponsor of H.R. 854. If s/he is a co-sponsor, say thank you.
Follow this link to see if your Senator is a co-sponsor of S.1421. If s/he is a co-sponsor, say thank you.
If your lawmaker(s) is not yet a co-sponsor, please take action.
Take Action Now:
- Follow this link for phone/email information for your Senators.
- Follow this link for phone/email information for your Representative.
- PLEASE be sure to refer to the correct legislation. For your Senators, refer to Senate Bill 1421. For your Congressman/woman, refer to House Bill 854.
- If you are leaving a phone message, identify yourself as a constituent and leave this specific message: “I am calling to ask (lawmaker) to become a co-sponsor of (appropriate Bill Number), legislation that would authorize a commemorative in our nation’s capital to mark the historic significance of the establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961 and the ideals its founding represents.”
- If you prefer to send an email, please use the message below as a guide.
- Forward this action to 5 – 10 other people you know, and ask them to take similar action.
Let Us Know You Took Action:
After you have taken action, contact us and let us know you have taken action. You can also learn about how you can further help in this effort!
(Sample letter in support – PLEASE use this specific language in the first paragraph, when crafting your message)
Dear _______,
I write to ask you to co-sponsor (Number of the Senate or House Bill), legislation to authorize the creation of a commemorative in the nation’s capital to mark the historic and enduring significance of the establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961 and the ideals its founding represents.
As 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps, now is an appropriate time to pass this legislation. It is important to note that construction of this modest commemorative will be financed entirely by private sector contributions. The legislation specifies that no taxpayer dollars will be used to fund this project. However, congressional authorization is required under the federal Commemorative Works Act in order for this proposal to proceed.
There was tremendous progress in 2011 to pass Peace Corps Commemorative legislation in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Please help build momentum for final congressional passage by becoming a co-sponsor today.
Thank you for considering this request and I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Peace Corps Service if applicable)
