Peace Corps Polyglot

We're Number...uh... 119!

If you got your Sunday paper a few days ago, you might have noticed the cover story of Parade was the magazine's annual "What People Earn" annual report.  Featured along with Oprah Winfrey ($260 million), Steven Speilberg ($110 million), Miley Cyrus ($18.2 million) and (Eli Manning ($11.5 million) is 26 year old Peace Corps volunteer Edward Perry.  The Los Angeles PCV is listed as earning $2,900, ranking him 119th - dead last, among the featured wage earners.

By the way - Edward barely beat out his closest competitor for bottom honors.  Coming in next-to-last, earning $3,000 annually is "Titus the Titan", a professional lacrosse mascot from East Rockaway, New York.

"Peace Corps is America at Its Best" - Peace Corps Week Proclamation in California

Around the country, states, cities and municipalities have issued proclamations in recognition of National Peace Corps Week 2008.  Especially noteworthy is that of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:

When President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, he asked my father-in-law, Sargent Shriver, to become its first director and flesh out the details of the new organization. It was a tremendous challenge, but Sarge rose to the occasion and helped develop programs in fifty-five countries with more than 14,500 volunteers in less than six years. Because of the efforts of these two great men and all those who have had a role in shaping it, the Peace Corps has become one of America's most successful initiatives in advancing peace.

Simply put, the Peace Corps is America at its best. Throughout the world, Peace Corps volunteers are engaged in diverse projects that encourage goodwill and progress. From promoting HIV/AIDS awareness in Malawi to providing technical training in Armenia to teaching English in Paraguay, volunteers are involved in projects that make a real difference in people's lives. As men and women of action, these volunteers embody the concept of public service as envisioned by President Kennedy and my father-in-law.

Since its establishment, more than 25,000 Californians have answered the call of service to help others in 139 countries. They undertake their projects with enthusiasm and gain a better understanding of their host country's culture. And in turn, those helped gain a more informed perspective of the United States. It is a win-win situation and is part of the reason why the Peace Corps has become a big success.

Serving others is part of the fabric of our great nation, and I think this is what we see in programs like the Peace Corps. It is a perfect example of friendship in action, and I hope even more of our residents will consider joining the Corps. I encourage all Californians to join me in giving a big hand to all those who served and those currently serving in the Peace Corps. The Golden State is very proud of its volunteers.  Their achievements are an inspiration to us, and I am proud to acknowledge their efforts.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim February 25 through March 3, 2008, as "Peace Corps Week." IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 25th day of January 2008.

He's at it again: Dalai Lama Calls for More Peace Corps

The Dalai Lama continues to reference Peace Corps in his appearances around the U.S.  Writes the Atlanta Daily World:

The Dalai Lama called for more members of the Peace Corps -- not U.S. soldiers -- to be sent to other countries to help spread democracy peacefully.

``The concept of war is outdated,'' the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader told a crowd of thousands gathered Monday at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. ``Through war, through violence, you cannot achieve what you want.''

He said the United States is the world's ``greatest, most powerful'' democracy and has the responsibility to make sure other countries have the same freedoms. But that can only be done through dialogue and compassion, he said.

The Dalai Lama's speech was the culmination of a weekend of events at Emory University, where he was formally installed as a professor earlier Monday.

Click here for a link to the full article.

Click here for a link to a video of his public talk in Centennial Park in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Real Player needed.) 

Peace Corps Receives Shout Out from the Dalai Lama

On a visit to Cornell University yesterday, the Dalai Lama had some kind words for Peace Corps...

The Dalai Lama told his university audience that they could help alleviate inequality and suffering in developing countries by educating students from these countries.

“Bring or welcome more students from these poorer countries,” he said. “Give them vision, give them self-confidence, give them skill.”

He ended his speech by praising America’s Peace Corps, instituted under President John F. Kennedy.

“Instead of sending soldiers, send more students,” he said. “America part of humanity, Africa, same human family. Brothers, sisters who have prosperity, go (to) these areas and bring more prosperity.”

Read full article in the Ithaca Journal.

Our Sentiments Exactly: Bono has Kind Words for Peace Corps

Bono Receives Liberty Medal In Philly

AP Press Release
USA Today
McLean, Va.

September 28, 2007

EXCERPT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Accepting the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work in Africa, Bono exhorted Americans to keep working to solve the world's problems and spoke of those who are without freedom.

"When you are trapped by poverty, you are not free. When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free," the Irish rocker and activist said Thursday night as he stood steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Calling America "my country," Bono said he's a fan of the United States despite its problems because of its contributions to the world.

"Your America is where Neil Armstrong takes a walk on the moon," Bono said. "Your America gave Europe the Marshall Plan. Your America gave the world the Peace Corps.

"America is not just a country, it's an idea, isn't it? It's a great and powerful idea. The idea that all men are created equal, that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Full Article: http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-09-28-bono-liberty-medal_N.htm?csp=34

RPCV among Capitol Hill's 50 Most Beautiful People

RPCVs are everywhere, so it should come as no surprise that one made in into The Hill newspaper's list of the 50 Most Beautiful People on Capitol Hill.

Jeff Eisenhauer's profile notes: "Eisenhauer is chock-full of interesting stories about his time as an environmental volunteer for the Peace Corps, which he called the “best two years of his life.”

Following his return from Africa a year ago, the 6-foot-1, tanned, surferesque Republican started work as the mail manager for Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.). The lawmaker and Eisenhauer both hail from Winston-Salem."

Pop Culture Alert: Advice for Paris

To break the monotony of her stay in jail, The New York Post is suggesting that readers send Paris Hilton a pre-printed postcard with handy check boxes expressing various sentiments. 

Among the suggestions for when she's released:  "Join the Peace Corps and do something to improve the planet for a change."

Hmm.  Now the question is what country and what assignment?