252 



endeavored to provide tlie (^ongress with c/jmplete iiiforniation about- 

 planning and current training operations of the first Peace Corps con- 

 tingent at Kutgers University. 



Members of (^ongress, both in committee, and in general debate, ex- 

 pressed satisfaction at the quantity and quality of information they re- 

 ceived from the temporary agency. For instance in the House hear- 

 ings, Representative Marguerite Church conmiended the communica- 

 tions efforts of Mr. Shriver and his staff : 



* * * I know of no other program about which so much advance information 

 has been sent to the Congress. I know of no Director who has made such an effort 

 to bring this story personally to Members of Congress. It is phenomenal, this 

 way in which you have really attempted to contact us personally, and I credit 

 it as due to your sagacity as well as to your own enthusiasm for your program." 



Grassroots technology (wpects in Peace Cor^s presentations 



The information presented by the Peace Corps to the Congress ex- 

 plained how the program differed from ongoing foreign aid programs 

 and why middle-level manpower would help the introduction of tech- 

 nology to the developing countries. The Colorado study had included 

 a survey of middle manpower needs in the developing counties and had 

 elaborated upon the potential use of volunteers in teaching, agricul- 

 tural and rural development, health, and large-scale construction and 

 industrial projects.*^ Drawing on this material, the presentation urged 

 that the program receive substantial flexibility and independence. It 

 was evident that it would not be a comfortable -i-year vacation for 

 persons seeking to avoid Selective Service obligations. Its contribution 

 would be mainly technical : 



The miasing link in many of these [underdeveloped] countries is manpower at 

 the middle level : teachers, electricians, home economists. Government clerks, 

 nurses and nurses' aides, farmers, water and sanitation experts, medical techni- 

 cians, and so on. Rather than to advise and counsel the local people on how to 

 accomplish these jobs. Peace Corps volunteers will go to help do the work and in 

 the process will teach local people how to do it themselves.^" 



Detailed appendices elaborated on this theme in discussing selection, 

 training, and summaries of the training of the country projects already 

 underway for Tanganyika, Colombia, and the Philippines.^^ As to 

 recruitment, the statement emphasized that while college graduates 

 would comprise the bulk of volunteers, special efforts would be made 

 to recruit noncollege graduates with agricultural and labor skills.^- In- 

 formation detailing criteria and methods of selection was jn-esented : 



Information on quality will come from the comprehensive battery of Peace Corps 

 entrance tests which measure * * * knowledge of American history, institutions 

 and values, language aptitude or achievement, and jol) competence. Optional tests 

 will measure skills in such areas as teaching ability, farming and animal hus- 

 bandry, basic mechanical engineering, and basic health and child care. [Candidates 

 will also be given psychological and medical examinations.] ^ 



A detailed training program had been developed to prepare the 

 volunteer for grassroots contact with foreigners. Training would take 

 place first on U.S. college campuses and might be continued in selected 

 overseas training stations in order to simulate circumstances that the 

 volunteer would encounter. It would last 3 to 6 months and would 

 include training in — 



« House. The Peace Corps. Hpn rings. • • * op. cit., p. 2.S. 



« Presentation of fiscal year 1962 program to U.S. Congress, op. clt., pp. 4-5. 



™ Ibid., pp. 1-2. 



^^ Respectively, appendixes D, E, B-1, B-2, and B-3, In Ibid. 



^ Ibid., p. 5. 



« Ibid., pp. 5-6. 



