Congressman Sires Joins Congressman Garamendi's Bipartisan Peace Corps Reauthorization Act as Original Cosponsor

Statement

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R.3456), with bipartisan support. The bill's original cosponsors include Representatives Albio Sires (D-NJ), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), and Donna E. Shalala (D-FL,) and Representatives Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA) and Garret Graves (R-LA)--co-chairs of the Congressional Peace Corps Caucus with Congressman Garamendi.

The Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R.3456) would provide additional federal funding and resources to advance the Peace Corps' mission around the world and better support current, returning, and former Peace Corps volunteers.

Representatives Garamendi (Ethiopia 1966-1968), Kennedy (Dominican Republic 2004-2006), and Shalala (Iran 1962-1964) are returned Peace Corps Volunteers and Representative Amata was a former Peace Corps staffer (Northern Mariana Islands 1967-1968).

"My wife Patti and I owe so much to our service in the Peace Corps. It inspired a lifetime of service that began in Ethiopia during the late 1960s and continued into state government in California, the Clinton Administration, and now the U.S. Congress," said Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA). "Now more than ever, Congress must support the Peace Corps' mission and realize President Kennedy's vision of generations of young Americans ready to serve their nation and make the world a better place. Our reauthorization bill does exactly that, and I thank my fellow Peace Corps Caucus co-chairs and Congressional colleagues for their support as original cosponsors."

"As the Peace Corps celebrates its 58th anniversary this year, this comprehensive reauthorization bill will expand support for former and current Peace Corps volunteers and enable the Peace Corps to continue its important contribution to our global diplomacy efforts," said Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ). "I am glad that my bill, the Respect for Peace Corps Volunteers Act, is included in this reauthorization, allowing those who have been a part of the Peace Corps to proudly display the insignia."

"At a time of unrest and uncertainty the world over, the Peace Corps embodies the very best of what America has to offer: service to others for the common cause of peace, progress, and democratic ideals. The Peace Corps Authorization Act will strengthen our country's commitment to that mission and ensure future generations are prepared to defend this nation's most sacred values," said Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA).

"The Peace Corps has been exporting American values for almost six decades, promoting her spirit and sowing seeds of freedom in nations across the world through its work-based service program," said Congressman Garrett Graves, Co-Chair of the Congressional Peace Corps Caucus. "Peace Corps volunteers -- like the program itself- give more than they take and continue to deliver to taxpayers a compounded return on investment," said Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA).

"Since its inception, the Peace Corps has used America's greatest strength - its people - to build civil society and mutual respect between our country and the people of the world. This was true when I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and it is true today. We must continue to fully fund the Peace Corps in order to preserve this vital instrument of American values and democracy," said Rep. Donna Shalala (D-FL).

"My service with the Peace Corps was a special time in my life, and good preparation for keeping the right priorities through the years," said Rep. Aumua Amata (R-AS). "The Peace Corps is a proven program that has helped people now for so long. This is an important effort to reauthorize and strengthen the Peace Corps, while encouraging a culture of serving others and volunteering."

"National Peace Corps Association is delighted to endorse the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act, sponsored by Congressman John Garamendi. In addition to calling for robust funding and a number of other important provisions, this legislation makes fiscally prudent strides in improving the Peace Corps' commitment to the wellbeing of Volunteers disabled during their national service abroad," said Glenn Blumhorst, President and CEO of the National Peace Corps Association. "We thank Congressmen Garamendi for his continued commitment to the Peace Corps mission by drafting this Reauthorization which would both improve the benefits of our American Volunteers and enhance the agency's ability to complete its legislative mandate."