User:Dmar24/Peace Corps

Background
The Peace Corps, passed on September 22nd, 1961, was created to “promote world peace and friendship” through three goals, which shall make available to interested countries and areas men and woman of the United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, to help the peoples of such countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower, and to help promote a better understanding of the American people and of other peoples on the part of the American people. The Peace Corps is government enterprise, Corpsmen work under the direction of locals at nominal wages, and the Corps is neither compulsory nor subject to conventional military discipline or diplomatic corps control (Polsby 92). Democratic nominee, President John F. Kennedy suggested the idea of the Peace Corps; however, it was not a new idea, but the campaign provided a prominent forum for the proposal (“Peace Corps Set Up for Aid Abroad” 1961, 325). During the campaign, he suggested creation of a corps of U.S. citizens to assists underdeveloped nations in teaching and development projects. President Kennedy first mentioned the Peace Corps idea on October 26th, 1960, in Ann Arbor, Michigan and gave a more written detailed speech on November 2nd in San Francisco stating, “We cannot discontinue training our young men as soldiers, but we also need them as ambassadors of peace (“Peace Corps Set Up for Aid Abroad” 1961, 325-326). On March 1st, by Executive Order, President Kennedy established a Peace Corps on a temporary pilot basis and the same day he sent a special message to Congress recommending that the Corps be put on a permanent basis under the jurisdiction of the State Department and financed with appropriations under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (“Peace Corps Set Up for Aid Abroad” 1961, 326).

Legislative History
(In this section I will discuss how the bill was introduced in the house and senate, the debates, and the reports.)

Braestrup Peter (1961, Jun 01). PEACE CORPS BILL SEEKS 40 MILLION: PRESIDENT ASKS PERMANENT STATUS FOR PROGRAM. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/peace-corps-bill-seeks-40-million/docview/115468482/se-2

How the bill got introduced in the Senate.

On May 31st, the White House sent to Congress a bill to make the Peace Corps permanent and offer $40,000,000 for the year starting July 1st. In a letter accompanying the draft legislation, President Kennedy declared that the under developed nations need for skilled Peace Corps manpower had been established since this Act was created by Executive Order on May 1st. President Kennedy states that the $40,000,000 budget should enable the overseas aid agency to put 500 to 1,000 volunteers abroad and have 2,700 overseas or in training by June, 1962. Peace Corps director, R. Sargent Shriver announced 3 projects in Tanganyika, Colombia, and the Philippines, all involve 385 volunteers. A total of 9,000 applications came to the Peace Corps headquarters.

(1961, Jun 22). PEACE CORPS FINDS NEED FOR KEY MEN: DRIVE SPURRED BY A LACK OF VOLUNTEERS FOR VITAL JOBS. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/peace-corps-finds-need-key-men/docview/115423735/se-2

The hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

On June 21st, Peace Corps spokesman stated that recruiting efforts were being stepped up to ward off threatened shortages of volunteers with key technical skills. This shortage is taken up by the Peace Corps prior to the hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Kennedy Administration asked Congress for legislation to make the Peace Corps a permanent unit of the State Department with a $40,000,000 budget for the first year. Moreover, officials advised caution on commitments for more overseas projects.

(1961, Aug 03). PEACE CORPS BILL IS FACING CURBS: FULBRIGHT LEANS TO G.O.P. PLAN TO CUT ITS FUNDS. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/peace-corps-bill-is-facing-curbs/docview/115310641/se-2

The bill being reported in the Senate.

On August 2nd, the Peace Corps headed for trouble in Congress. Democrats, Republicans, and the pressure of other Congressional business have combined endanger to the Administration's proposal to make the Peace Corps permanent and offer it $40,000,000 to put 3,000 volunteers in training or overseas by 1962. Arkansas Democrat, Senator J.W. Fulbright, is in favor of the Peace Corps idea but wants to slow down the approach. Administration supporters on the committee, like Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota, assistant Democratic leader, have argued that a fund like such would cripple the corps and encourage the more conservative House to make an even deeper cut in funds. Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen of Illinois, the Republican leader, stated the bill might "completely transform" the Peace Corps.

(1961, Aug 05). PEACE CORPS WINS KEY SENATE TEST: COMMITTEE FOR PERMANENCY AND A 40-MILLION BUDGET. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/peace-corps-wins-key-senate-test/docview/115503871/se-2

The bill being reported in the Senate.

On August 4th, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved President Kennedy's proposal to make the Peace Corps permanent and give it a $40,000,000 budget its first year. The senate panel, which was headed by Senator Fulbright voted 14-0, to send the bill to the Senate. However, $25,000,000 was rejected by Iowa Republican, Senator Bourke B. Hickenlooper, but the reduction was rejected 11-6 vote. Mr. Fulbright stated no committee member proposed complete rejection of the Peace Corps bill, but stated he and the committee minority felt that the program would be more wisely begun "on a more modest level." Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota, assistant Democratic leader and a principal sponsor of the Peace Corps, predicted approval by both Senate and House.

Braestrup Peter (1961, Aug 12). FIRST 7 DROPPED BY PEACE CORPS: SHRIVER TELLS HOUSE PANEL OTHERS WILL BE ELIMINATED. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/first-7-dropped-peace-corps/docview/115485735/se-2

Hearings from the Committee on Foreign Affairs (House).

It talks about the director of the Peace Corps, R. Sargent Shriver, and his role with the volunteers. He testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee as it opened hearings on the Administration’s Peace Corps bill. A report on the Peace Corps training was given to the House Committee and said on it was an overall view of their training, that there is nine projects involving overseas commitments and request of budget.

HOUSE PANEL BACKS BILL ON PEACE CORPS. (1961, Sep 06). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/house-panel-backs-bill-on-peace-corps/docview/115500104/se-2

Report from the Committee of the Whole House. (House; Committee on Foreign Affairs).

On September 5th, 1961, the establishment of the Peace Corps on a formal basis was approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. It was a 20-0 vote and is identical with the version previously passed by the Senate. It goes on about President Kennedy setting up the Peace Corps with an Executive order and the use of special funds, which includes $40,000,00 to establish a permanent Peace Corps.

Morris, D. John (1961, Sep 15). House, by 287 to 97, places peace corps on permanent basis: PEACE CORPS BILL PASSED BY HOUSE. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/house-287-97-places-peace-corps-on-permanent/docview/115504335/se-2

The bill debated; amended; passed in the House

On September 14th, the Kennedy Administration won House approval of the bill to give permanent status to the Peace Corps. The bill was passed by a vote of 287-97, and the Corps was authorized appropriation of the full $40,000,000 budget for the first year. On March 31st, the Peace Corps was set up on a pilot basis by a Presidential order with R. Sargent Shriver. Volunteers that finish serving will receive "termination pay" of $75 for each month in the Corps.

Belair Jr. Felix (1961, Sep 16). SENATE RESTORES MOST OF AID CUTS; PASSES BILL, 62-17: 533 MILLION IN HOUSE TRIMS ARE REJECTED -- MEASURE GOES TO CONFERENCE PASSMAN VOWS A FIGHT REPRESENTATIVE WILL DEMAND 'PLENTY' OF REDUCTIONS IN 4 BILLION PROGRAM SENATE RESTORES MOST OF AID CUTS. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/senate-restores-most-aid-cuts-passes-bill-62-17/docview/115503102/se-2

The bill was agreed to Senate

On September 15th, the Senate passed a $4,196-$600,000 foreign aid appropriation restoring all but a fraction of the money cut by the House, the action restored was $533,000,000 the appropriation with a 62-17 vote. Earlier that day, the Senate defeated 52-29, an attempt to cut $150,000,000 from the $1,700,000,000 in military assistant funds recommended by the Appropriations Committee. The final Senate vote lead the total appropriation to within $63,000,000 of the amount given in the authorizing legislation that had been signed already by President Kennedy. Moreover the foreign aid money is part of a $4,416,091,000 appropriation that includes $40,000,000 to establish a permanent Peace Corps.

(1961, Sep 22). PEACE CORPS BILL VOTED: 40 MILLION BUDGET AUTHORIZED IN COMPROMISE MEASURE. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/peace-corps-bill-voted/docview/115514297/se-2

The Conference report submitted in Senate and agreed to.

On September 21st, Congress sent to the White House that legislation is making the Peace Corps permanent and authorizing a $40,000,000 appropriation as the first-year budget. The House cleared a compromise bill, differing little from Administration requests, by roll-call vote of 253 to 78. The Senate approved it in a voice vote later that day.

PRESIDENT SIGNS PEACE CORPS BILL: WATER AND DELINQUENCY ACTS ALSO GET FINAL APPROVAL. (1961, Sep 23). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/president-signs-peace-corps-bill/docview/115442334/se-2

The President signing the Peace Corps bill.

On September 22nd, President Kennedy signed the bill to make the Peace Corps permanent. President Kennedy stated the Peace Corps bill opened the way for thousands of young Americans to work for peace and world understanding and hoped to have 2,700 volunteers in training or abroad by July 1962.

Provisions
(In this section I will discuss the most important provisions from the bill)

Peace Corps volunteers were between the ages of 21 and 45 years old with no discrimination on account of race or color. Volunteers are entitled to receive termination payments at a rate no more than $75 for each month and deemed to be receiving monthly pay at the lowest rate provided for grade 7 of the general schedule established by the Classification Act of 1940. Volunteers are not exempt from the draft or eligible for automatic draft deferment and they were also required to be trained in Communist philosophy, strategy, tactics and speak the language they are assigned to work at (“Peace Corps Set Up for Aid Abroad” 1961, 324).

Moreover, volunteer leaders is limited to one for each 25 volunteer members of the Corps. After each completes a service with the Peace Corps, each receives “termination” pay of $125 each month (“Peace Corps Set Up for Aid Abroad” 1961, 324).

While serving, volunteers are responsible for student loans but there could benefits available such as deferment, partial cancellation, or forgiveness. The Peace Corps Volunteer service is considered qualifying employment for the Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program (Student Loan Information). However, this Act was authorized a three-year moratorium of National Defense Education Act of 1958 loan repayments by Corps volunteers (“Peace Corps Set Up for Aid Abroad” 1961, 324).

Furthermore, the Peace Corps was authorized $40 million appropriation as the first-year budget to attempt to make it permanent (Peace Corps Bill Voted 1961). Some requirements in this Act is the Peace Corps must use U.S. owned foreign currencies, must take an oath to office and to swear to not overthrow the U.S. government, and the President is required to apply the Battle Act in administering the Peace Corps.

With provisions come restrictions, this includes retired Government personnel are permitted to assist the Corps and political testing is prohibited for volunteers.

References List

 * 1) PEACE CORPS SET UP FOR AID ABROAD” 1961. Congressional Quarterly Almanac Volume XVII, 324-328
 * 2) (1961, Sep 22). PEACE CORPS BILL VOTED: 40 MILLION BUDGET AUTHORIZED IN COMPROMISE MEASURE. New York Times Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/peace-corps-bill-voted/docview/115514297/se-2
 * 3) Polsby, W. N. (1984). Political Innovation in America. The Formation of the Peace Corps, 91-100.

Article Draft

 * 1) The article's content is relevant to the topic. I feel all the topics are covered the same, there are no major headings that out weigh other major headings.
 * 2) This is written neutrally. The writers did not make it seem that one should take on a particular side than the other.
 * 3) Yes, every sentence or every couple of sentences there is a citation. These citations are reliable.
 * 4) The wikipedia page covers the years from 1950-to present. The writer could have potentially covered any historically underrepresented or misrepresented populations or subjects.

I would have added some information about the sponsors of the bill. When they served in congress, what party were they from, from which state, etc.