On Sept. 22, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed the Peace Corps Act, formally establishing the Peace Corps through law, fulfilling a campaign promise made to motivated citizens ready to serve our country in a new and different way.
Now, 63 years later, and more than 240,000 volunteers later, roughly 2,600 Peace Corps volunteers are serving in nearly 60 countries working with community counterparts in agriculture, education, health, environment, community economic development and youth programs.
Today, Peace Corps service comes in the aftermath of a global pandemic and climate change impacting communities globally. One year ago, the United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported that 250 million children were not attending school. Worldwide, there are threats to democratic values, individual rights and self-determination.
Throughout history, the American spirit has overcome crises and challenges. We know that service to others is a particular source of pride here in Utah. Demand for Peace Corps volunteers continues.
However, for the past decade, the Peace Corps budget has experienced a twenty percent decrease. Meanwhile, the bipartisan Peace Corps Reauthorization Act languishes awaiting renewal.
I encourage Utah Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee as well as Reps. Blake Moore, Celeste Malone, John Curtis and Burgess Owens to redouble efforts to support the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act and allocate financial resources needed to ensure the very best possible Peace Corps volunteer program.
Returned Peace Corps volunteers will tell you that their two-year service to communities abroad was life-changing. For me, it was an opportunity to introduce nutrition to teachers, school children and families through school and home vegetable gardening, and to teach newborn care in a community where babies often died.
For more information about the Peace Corps contact peacecorps.gov.
Beth Granberg, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Brazil 8, Salt Lake City
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