Washington, D.C., April 22, 1999—Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan and Harris Wofford, CEO of the Corporation for National Service, will give a joint speech next week at the National Press Club focusing on service. Inspired by President Clinton\'s "Call to Service" in February, the two men will speak about the value of service and the expanded opportunities to join the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps in the new century. Buoyed by increased interest in service, both organizations hope to expand significantly in the next few years. The President has proposed increasing the Peace Corps from 6,700 volunteers now to more than 10,000 volunteers by the year 2003, and he wants to boost AmeriCorps from its current 40,000 members to more than 100,000 members by the year 2002.
WHO:Mark Gearan, Peace Corps Director Harris Wofford, CEO of Corporation for National Service
WHAT:Joint Speech on "The Peace Corps and AmeriCorps: Serving Our Country and the World"
WHEN:Noon to 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, 1999
WHERE:National Press Club 13th Floor of National Press Building 529 14th Street, NW Washington, D.C.
Background:
Peace Corps: Currently, some 6,700 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 78 countries around the world to bring clean water to communities, teach children, protect the environment, help start new small businesses, and prevent the spread of AIDS. This year, Peace Corps will send more volunteers overseas than in 25 years.
AmeriCorps: Four years after the program\'s launch, more than 100,000 AmeriCorps members have served more than 33 million people in 4,000 communities. Together, these Americans help tackle our nation\'s most critical problems, including illiteracy, crime, poverty, and preserving our environment.