{'html': "Washington, D.C., July 15, 1998—The Peace Corps will present Ohio State University President William Kirwan with a plaque Friday honoring the university for its tradition of excellent service with the Peace Corps. Deputy Director Charles Baquet will present President Kirwan the plaque at the annual meeting of the National Peace Corps Association in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at the Fawcett Center on the Ohio State campus. More than 1,200 Ohio State students have participated in the Peace Corps since the program began in 1961, including 50 currently overseas. Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan will join the conference on Saturday, July 18 to update attendees of the annual meeting about President Clinton's initiative to increase the number of volunteers serving in the Peace Corps to 10,000 by the year 2000. WHO:Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan Peace Corps Deputy Director Charles Baquet Ohio State University President William Kirwan
WHAT:Peace Corps recognizing Ohio State University for its tradition of participation in the Peace Corps
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:July 15—July 18
At its annual meeting this weekend in Columbus, the National Peace Corps Association will also present the Loret Miller Ruppe Award for Outstanding Community Service to the Friends of Slovakia. The award will be presented by Chair of Awards Maury Stevens for the group's work renewing the Spisske Podhradie Synagogue. The group will also be given a check for $1,000 from the NPCA.
Currently, about 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 81 countries to help fight hunger, bring clean water to communities, teach children, protect the environment, help start new small businesses and prevent the spread of AIDS. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.
"}