FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, February 02, 2004
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Peace Corps
Contact: Press Office
Phone: 202.692.2230
Fax: 202.692.2201
Email: pressoffice@peacecorps.gov |
President Bush Announces 2005 Budget - Asks Congress for $401 M for Peace Corps |
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Today, President Bush unveiled his fiscal year 2005 budget, in which he asks
Congress to provide the Peace Corps with $401 million – the largest budget
request ever made for the agency. Currently, the Peace Corps’ operating FY 2004
budget is $323 million, which includes a direct appropriation of $308 million
and a transfer of $15 million for work on HIV/AIDS projects through the Global
HIV/AIDS Initiative.
Today, 7,533 Americans are serving in the Peace Corps – the largest number of
volunteers to serve overseas since 1974. Volunteers serve in 71 countries in
projects related to agriculture, health, HIV/AIDS education and awareness,
information technology, business development, the environment, and education.
Moreover, the demand for Peace Corps volunteers overseas continues to
increase, with more than 20 additional countries requesting Peace Corps programs
and assistance. This past year, the Peace Corps began new programs by sending
volunteers to Fiji, Albania, Chad, and Azerbaijan. The Peace Corps also plans on
returning volunteers to China and Jordan in 2004. In addition, the Peace Corps
is working on a new partnership with Mexico and this year will send its first
group of volunteers to the country to work in the areas of information
technology, small business development, and science and technology.
The Peace Corps provides practical assistance to host countries by sharing
America’s most precious resource, its people. Through the work and contributions
of its volunteers over the past 42 years, the Peace Corps has emerged as a model
of success for encouraging sustainable development at the grass-roots level.
However, the Peace Corps is much more than a development agency. Its larger
purpose is to strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between
Americans and the people of other cultures.
The men and women who serve as Peace Corps volunteers reflect the rich
diversity of our country and represent some of the finest characteristics of the
American people. Volunteers have a strong work ethic, a generosity of spirit, a
commitment to service and an approach to problems that is both optimistic and
pragmatic. They speak the local language and adopt the cultures and customs of
the people they serve. In the process, volunteers share and represent the
culture and values of the American people, earning respect and admiration for
our country among people who may never meet another American.
Volunteer safety and security will continue to be the number one priority of
the Peace Corps as the agency furthers its admirable record of service that is
recognized around the world. The Peace Corps devotes significant resources to
maximize the safety of volunteers and to ensure they are given the training,
support, and information needed for a safe experience.
Since 1961, more than 170,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps.
Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps
service is a two-year commitment.
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