Peace Corps

January 4, 2008 -- Washington, DC — Today, Senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) lauded the final passage of their amendment which significantly increased Peace Corps funding. The amendment, which was part of the Foreign FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, provides $10 million in additional funding. This will allow the Peace Corps to open new country programs and further expand operations.    » read more »

On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy signed this executive order establishing the Peace Corps. On September 22, 1961, Congress approved the legislation that formally authorized the Peace Corps. Goals of the Peace Corps included: 1) helping the people of interested countries and areas meet their needs for trained workers; 2) helping promote a better understanding of Americans in countries where volunteers served; and 3) helping promote a better understanding of peoples of other nations on the part of Americans.    » read more »