September 12, 2008

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a Returned Peace Corps volunteer and one of the Senate’s leading champions of national service, today attended the ServiceNation Summit in New York City.   Dodd spoke about his current efforts to expand volunteer opportunities for Americans of all ages.

The full text of Senator Dodd’s remarks as prepared for delivery is below:

Prepared Remarks: I want to take a minute to thank my friend and colleague, Ted Kennedy.  While he may not be here today – he’s here today, believe me.  There is no greater champion of the ideals and goals we are discussing this week.  And he’ll be fighting with us every step of the way to turn them into a reality.

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All too often, we fail to draw upon the experience, knowledge, and ideas of older Americans. The potential pool of Americans 55 years of age and older who serve their communities is substantial and expected to grow by more than 22 percent in the next decade. Today, more than half of the individuals considered a part of the Baby Boomer generation are interested in providing meaningful service to their communities, but research shows that they are not adequately connected to national service opportunities.

The opportunity to serve one’s community can be just as influential in a young person’s education as exams, math problems, and book reports.  When community service is tied to what students are learning in school, young people make gains on achievement tests, increase their grade point average, and say that their feelings about high-school are more positive as a result of their service.  Community service activities are shared experiences that introduce adolescents to new people, and give them a new perspective on and commitment to their country. 

 

September 11, 2008

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, today announced the final two pieces of legislation in a comprehensive strategy to expand and strengthen service opportunities for all Americans.  He was joined by Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), the Chairman of the HELP Committee, in introducing the Semester of Service Act and the Encore Service Act.  These bills will target two distinct and critically important populations – young adults and Americans 55 years of age and older.

March 7, 2008

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I’m proud to be here with the National Peace Corps Association, to honor a cause that has done so much to shape my life—and the lives of so many people in this room.

January 4, 2008

Today, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Russ Feingold (WI) lauded the final passage of their amendment which significantly increased Peace Corps funding.  The amendment, which was part of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, provides $10 million in additional funding which will allow the Peace Corps to open new country programs and further expand operations.

July 25, 2007

Today I am pleased to convene the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs. I would like to welcome my Ranking Member, Senator Corker, who has joined me at this morning’s hearing to receive testimony and ask questions on a very important topic – the Peace Corps.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a former Peace Corps volunteer and the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, today announced he will convene a subcommittee hearing entitled "Enhancing the Peace Corps Experience S 732, The Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act."  The hearing will focus on legislation Dodd introduced in March that would encourage more input from current and returned volunteers in decision making, bring the Peace Corps into the digital age with regard to email and websites for volunteers in-country and eliminates certain barriers, including current medical screening practices which may discourage older individuals and minorities from becoming Peace Corps volunteers.

April 23, 2007

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell.  Since March 2005, Julia had been serving both her nation, and the people of the Philippines, working on educational and ecological projects in Southern Luzon.

 

It is my hope that a speedy, full, and fair investigation into the circumstances that led to what appears to be Julia’s murder is carried out by the Philippines Authorities and that all of those responsible for Julia’s death are brought to justice.