FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, September 14, 2000

Tribute to Paul Coverdell

Peace Corps Honors the Late Senator and Former Agency Director
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 14, 2000 - Peace Corps Director Mark L. Schneider has invited Members of Congress, former Peace Corps directors, former Peace Corps volunteers, members of the diplomatic community, former staff and friends to honor the late senator and former Peace Corps director, Paul Coverdell, in a tribute next week.
"A Tribute to the Honorable Paul D. Coverdell" will celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the late senator who served as the 11th director of the Peace Corps from 1989 to 1991. During his distinguished tenure as Peace Corps director, Paul Coverdell created new opportunities for Peace Corps volunteers to serve in the emerging democracies of Eastern and Central Europe in the aftermath of the Cold War. He also created World Wise Schools, an innovative global education program that connects Peace Corps volunteers with thousands of students in the United States. At the tribute, Schneider will announce a new award named after the late Senator to recognize extraordinary accomplishments of teachers involved in the World Wise Schools program. Participating in the program are Senator Chris Dodd, the Honorable Elaine Chao, His Excellency Mircea Geoana, Romanian Ambassador to the U.S., former Peace Corps Chief of Staff Jody Olsen, World Wise Schools teacher Mary Nasibi and former Peace Corps volunteer C.D. Glin.
WHAT:A Tribute to the Honorable Paul D. Coverdell WHEN:Tuesday, September 19, 2000 TIME:11:00 – 12:00 p.m. WHERE:Peace Corps Headquarters, Shriver Hall 1111 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20526
Currently, there are more than 7,000 volunteers serving in 76 countries around the world working to help fight hunger, bring clean water to communities, teach children, start new businesses, and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. Since 1961, more than 161,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps and have served in 134 countries worldwide.

# # #

---