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July 14, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: As a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in Jamaica from 1972 to 1974, I am urging Representative Cline and Senators Warner and Kaine to support the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (HR 1273/S 1203) which is currently up for approval in Congress. This act will renew funding and provide needed updates to volunteer support services. In 2019, there were over 7,000 volunteers serving; today, post-pandemic, 1,200 volunteers have now returned to 51 countries. Historically, since its founding 62 years ago, 240,000 volunteers have served in 143 countries.
Americans, where else can you get such a bang for your buck? We are the cheapest date imaginable! Sixty-two years of Peace Corps funding is the equivalent to about three months of our current international affairs budget! And, Peace Corps has had the same level of funding for the past seven years.
Where else can good will and democratic values be role modeled in such a peaceful, frugal and productive way? Where else can the foundation of democratic values be so clearly demonstrated across the globe, as when Peace Corps volunteers build schools and irrigation systems, provide basic literacy education for children, train adults for gainful employment, and help to eradicate hunger and disease? Peace Corps continues to give a hand up, not a hand out.
Thank you in advance, Rep. Cline and Senators Warner and Kaine, for your “yes” vote on this legislation. And, thank you, fellow citizens for your ongoing support of the Peace Corps. Peace Corps is 62 years old and still helping promote democratic values through peaceful means across the globe. Let’s keep it going. ANN HOPKINS Lexington
