FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, April 5, 1997

President Highlights 'Domestic Dividend' of Peace Corps

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 5, 1997 - President Clinton today praised the service efforts of the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, and called on the agencies to do even more to reach out to youth throughout the United States during National Service Week, April 13-19.
In his weekly radio address to the nation, the President stressed the importance of service, and thanked returned Peace Corps volunteers for their continued volunteerism and service in the United States, after the volunteers have finished their two-year commitment overseas.
President Clinton also cited the work of returned Peace Corps volunteers, and AmeriCorps members, who are organizing activities in more than 15 states, in hundreds of communities, for National Service Week. The volunteers have jointly pledged to introduce at least 3,000 young people to community service by having them accompany volunteers on their service projects.
Among many other projects during National ServiceWeek, returned Peace Corps volunteers plan to tutor children in the Washington, D.C. public schools, join Habitat for Humanity in building a home in Camden, N.J., distribute food to the homeless in New York City, repair a school in Cincinnati, refurbish a homeless shelter in Connecticut, and restore trails at a national park in California. Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan attended the address at the White House, accompanied by returned Peace Corps volunteers who will be organizing service activities during National Service Week.
According to a recent survey, nearly eight out of 10 returned Peace Corps volunteers have or are currently volunteering in the United States. This "domestic dividend" embodies one of the Peace Corps\' main goals: bringing the world back home. Since 1961, more than 148,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving as volunteers in 132 countries.

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