FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 28, 2000

National Council of La Raza President Raul Yzaguirre Debuts in a New Peace Corps Public Service Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 28, 2000—Raul Yzaguirre, president of the National Council of La Raza, is lending his voice to the Peace Corps\' efforts to recruit Latinos by recording a new public service announcement. The radio announcement will be distributed to Spanish-language radio stations nationwide this week.
Yzaguirre, leader of the largest constituency-based national Hispanic organization for more than 25 years, encourages Latinos to become Peace Corps volunteers because of the tremendous benefits of service.
"The Peace Corps strives to present to the world the richness and variety of American culture through a diverse group of volunteers," said Yzaguirre. "In airing these PSAs, radio stations are helping to recruit this new generation of volunteers who can help solve some of the challenges people face everyday. In addition, many former Peace Corps volunteers are using the skills they learned abroad to benefit their communities and careers here at home."
"We are honored that Raul is helping us reach out to the Hispanic community," said Peace Corps Director Mark Schneider, who has established the recruitment of more Latinos and other people of color as an agency-wide priority. Currently, more than 200 Hispanic Americans are serving as Peace Corps volunteers in more than 50 countries in every region of the globe. They hail from 34 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
The Peace Corps has been a career launching pad for many prominent Latinos, including People magazine correspondent Ron Arias, television personality and home improvement expert Bob Vila, and U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Frank Almaguer.
Those interested in applying can visit the Peace Corps\' Web site at www.peacecorps.gov, where recruitment information is available in English and Spanish. The agency has made applying easier than ever with a new online application. Information about volunteering is also available by calling 800-424-8580.
Today nearly 7,000 Peace Corps volunteers serve in 76 countries around the world, working to fight hunger, prevent the spread of AIDS, protect the environment, teach children, promote health and nutrition, and start small business. Since 1961, more than 155,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.

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