Posted on: Friday, December 17, 2004

EDITORIAL
Peace Corps: Not enough to go around

If there's one thing Washington does that the world needs more of, it's the Peace Corps.

Now a venerable institution with a 43-year history, what the Peace Corps delivers in Third World countries has never been in greater demand.

Just as important, numerous public opinion surveys taken overseas, especially since the invasion of Iraq, show a negative — and worsening — perception of the United States in many parts of the world.

It often falls to Peace Corps volunteers to put our best foot forward. They make their impression not by advocacy but by example.

In many parts of 72 countries around the world, Peace Corps volunteers are the only visible American "diplomats." If volunteers happen also to teach a new way of planting, or a new marketing technique for selling handicrafts, or if they help to reduce the incidence of disease, so much the better.

One of the indisputably correct things President Bush did in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks was to promise to double the size of the Peace Corps.

Unfortunately, that hasn't happened.

We fault Congress for failing to give the Peace Corps its full budget request — and the administration, for failing to push harder.

But the Peace Corps has increased by about 1,000 volunteers, to a current level of 7,733. We hope to see it return to mid-1960s levels of around 15,000.

Another thing Bush did right after 9/11 was to appoint Gaddi Vasquez to head the Peace Corps. Vasquez brings the right combination of loyal administration insider and a strong dedication to his agency's mission.

In a meeting with Advertiser editors this week, Vasquez showed a tenacious commitment to the safety and health of his volunteers, many of whom, after all, serve in remote and primitive sites.

Vasquez noted that 1,200 volunteers have come from Hawai'i over the years, and that 21 are serving now.

Peace Corps service is not for everyone. And it's certainly not just for young people, as more and more middle-aged and retired people are inspired to sign up. The average volunteer is 29.

Interested in serving? Go to www.peacecorps.gov. It's the toughest job you'll ever love.