Peace Corps

Peace Corps — page 5
PEACE TALKS 1960 many African and Asian countries fought rience by assisting underprivileged nations Not for and won their independence from centu long after that senator Brien McMahon called ries of European rule Although these nations for young people to act as missionaries had gained equality and the right to govern of democracy themselves they now faced the difficult task The first legislator to propose that a Peace of developing new governments They needed Corps be organized was Minnesota senator Hu help not only with basic necessities but also with bert H Humphrey In 1957 he introduced a bill economic structure agriculture and education to assemble talented young men and women in The U S as one of the richest and most power an overseas operation for education health care ful countries in the postwar era saw its opportu vocational job training and community devel nity to help these Third World nations grow and opment However the proposed law did not prosper But citizens of some countries opposed meet with much enthusiasm Many legislators any U S involvement In the late 19th and early had concerns about sending young Americans 20th centuries the U S had looked to extend to foreign lands while others believed the idea its political and economic influence around the would simply be impossible to carry out globe particularly in In 1959 interest in Latin America Many such an organization After World War II ended in 1945 people criticized these grew when Wisconsin various members of the U S imperialist practices representative Henry and thought the U S Congress proposed bills to establish S Reuss suggested that needed to stop impos volunteer organizations a Point Four Youth ing its ideas on others Corps be made up After World War Il ended in 1945 vari of young Americans willing to serve their ous members of the U S Congress proposed country in far off countries and at a soldier's bills to establish volunteer organizations in pay After returning from a trip to Southeast developing countries In December 1951 Asia in 1957 Reuss was determined to change Massachusetts representative John F Kennedy the negative image of the U S he had encoun suggested to a congressional group that young tered there In 1960 he and senator Richard L college graduates would gain valuable life expe Neuberger of Oregon introduced companion