Tag Archives: Peace Corps

U.S., Mexico Unite Against Drugs / “Heavy” Team Aids after NZ Quake / 50 Years of the Peace Corps

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The U.S. and Mexico vow to work together to fight drug trafficking. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for a new nuclear weapons treaty. The U.S. and international relief organizations are increasing their efforts to airlift those fleeing from the violence in Libya. The Los Angeles “heavy” team has flown to New Zealand to help after the earthquake. And, the Peace Corps turns 50.

U.S.-Mexico relations

U.S., Mexico Anti-Drug Efforts
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President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon pledged to work more closely to thwart continuing illicit drug trafficking and its related violence. “As I’ve said before, President Calderon and the Mexican people have shown extraordinary courage in the fight for their country,” Obama said during a joint press conference at the White House.

A Nuclear Materials Treaty
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for the Conference on Disarmament to move ahead quickly on a proposed multilateral treaty that would ban the production of nuclear-weapons using fissile materials. “Our long-term goal, our vision, is a world without nuclear weapons,” says Clinton.

Airlifting Libyan Refugees
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President Obama announced that U.S. planes will fly Egyptian citizens home from Tunisia, where they fled to escape weeks of violence in Libya. Obama’s announcement came as an internationally-backed airlift began, with more than 50 flights carrying migrant workers home.

“Heavy” Team Aids after NZ Quake
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After the February 22 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, The U.S. Agency for International Development called the Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue “heavy” team. Within about 30 hours, the 74-member unit and all their equipment were flying across the Pacific. Explains Los Angeles Battalion Chief Larry Collins, “It’s heavy muscle coming in.”

Peace Corps Marks 50 Years
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On March 1, the Peace Corps celebrated 50 years of service. President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps as a challenge to American college students to give up two years of their lives to help people in countries in the developing world. Over five decades, more than 200,000 volunteers have served 139 host countries. At right, the community of Likpe Todome in the Volta region of Ghana with their Peace Corps volunteer, Leanne Polachek.

U.S. Anti-Crime Aid to Mexico / The Peace Corps is 50 / Russian Imperial Stamps

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The United States is stepping up efforts to help Mexico fight crime. The Peace Corps celebrates its 50th anniversary. An all-women technology delegation of leading U.S. innovators and entrepreneurs heads to Africa to help offer opportunities for women and girls. Some dentists are going green. And more than 14,000 rare Russian stamps were recently uncovered at the Smithsonian.

U.S. Anti-Crime Aid for Mexico
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The United States can accelerate the implementation of its security assistance to Mexico and other countries in the fight against transnational criminal organizations, a senior Obama administration official says. The announcement comes ahead of a meeting between Mexican President Felipe Calderón, left, and President Obama in Washington. 

Peace Corps Marks 50 Years
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On March 1, the Peace Corps celebrated 50 years of service. President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps as a challenge to American college students to give up two years of their lives to help people in countries in the developing world. Over five decades, more than 200,000 volunteers have served 139 host countries.

For African Woman, Tech Opportunities
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The United States sends an all-women technology delegation of leading U.S. innovators and entrepreneurs to Liberia and Sierra Leone to help offer opportunities for women and girls. “While in West Africa, the group will explore how technology can increase opportunities for women and girls,” the State Department says in an announcement.

When Your Dentist Turns Green
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A movement is building to “green” America’s 125,000-plus dental offices. Since Ina and Fred Pockrass founded the Eco-Dentistry Association in 2008, dental offices in 45 states and 13 other countries have pledged to reduce their impact on the environment.

A 1863 Russian stamp

Photo Gallery: Russian Imperial Stamps
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One of the best collections of Russian stamps in the world was recently found in a storage vault at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum. The collection, composed of more than 14,000 Russian stamps, is truly exceptional in terms of its quality and rarity. At right, a rare carmine proof stamp, created in 1863, that was never produced. The stamps were ultimately issued in blue for use under the Ottoman Empire by Russian post offices in the Levant. The inscription reads “Dispatch small parcel to the Orient.” The Russian Imperial double-headed eagle is depicted with the orb and scepter in its claws.

Vice President Honors First Peace Corps Director

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R. Sargent Shriver – the first director of the Peace Corps and brother-in-law to President Kennedy – died last Tuesday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Shriver is credited with ensuring President Kennedy’s idea of a league of Americans serving communities around the world (an idea he announced during his State of the Union speech 50 years ago) became a reality in the Peace Corps. The volunteer organization places Americans of all ages and backgrounds in countries around the world where they work with local communities in areas such as education and social and economic development. On March 1, 2011 the Peace Corps will celebrate 50 years of global service, during which time over 200,000 Americans have served in the program.

Vice President Joe Biden delivered a eulogy at Shriver’s memorial service on Saturday, calling Shriver, “a rare combination, of a rigorous and demanding mind.” Biden added:

“He had a heart that led him to see good things in all people and a heart full of wonder and curiosity, and a heart that was humble and devoted to others, totally devoid of selfish motivation and literally; one that overflowed with unbridled optimism.”

Obama committed to fighting global poverty

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Many around the world are wondering what a new U.S. president will mean for their country. “Dear president what is your stance towards the third world countries,” asks an America.gov reader.

According to the Obama transition team, Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015. The Obama administration aims to double U.S. foreign assistance to achieve that goal. “This will help the world’s weakest states build healthy and educated communities, reduce poverty, develop markets, and generate wealth,” according to the Obama transition Web site.

Obama also hopes more Americans will join in the fight against global poverty, perhaps by volunteering for such service programs like the Peace Corps, which arranges for U.S. citizens to help needy communities across the globe. His transition team has set up an online form for those interested in volunteering. Would you like to see the Peace Corps in your community? Post your comments below.