Legislation to Allow Peace Corps Symbols on Gravestones Introduced

Susan wanted to honor her brother’s service by engraving the Peace Corps logo on his gravestone but was informed by the Peace Corps that it was against the law to use the emblem on such items (Source ID: 1). She reached out to Senator Smith, who then introduced the bill in response to her request. Tom passed away in 2023 near his hometown in Michigan at the age of 69 after being diagnosed with incurable cancer in July of that year. Susan expressed her gratitude to Senator Smith for introducing the legislation, which would enable families of Peace Corps volunteers to honor their loved ones' legacies of service (Source ID: 1). [1]

The bill has been co-sponsored by Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) and endorsed by the National Peace Corps Association, which praised the initiative as a timely and welcome action (Source ID: 1). Carla Brown, President & CEO of the National Peace Corps Association, stated that the legislation would allow family members to honor the service of Peace Corps volunteers and inspire others to take up the mantle. More than 250,000 Americans have volunteered with the Peace Corps during its 65-year history, and the association hopes the legislation will pass quickly to enable families like Susan’s to commemorate their loved ones’ contributions (Source ID: 1). [1]

U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) has introduced the Memorializing Peace Corps Service Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at allowing the official Peace Corps seal, emblem, and logo to be used on gravestones, plaques, and death announcements for deceased Peace Corps volunteers, officers, and staff (Source ID: 1). The legislation seeks to update a current law that prohibits the use of the Peace Corps emblem on such commemorative items. Senator Smith emphasized the importance of honoring the service of Peace Corps volunteers, noting that it is an 'incredibly humbling and inspiring organization to be a part of, and volunteering in the Peace Corps should be honored after someone’s passing.' This bill is inspired by the story of Thomas (Tom) W. Stieve, a Peace Corps volunteer who served in Kiribati and Vanuatu during the 1980s and later passed away in 2023 (Source ID: 1). [1]

Tom Stieve's sister, Susan of St. Paul, MN, wanted to honor her brother’s service by engraving the Peace Corps logo on his gravestone. However, she was informed by the Peace Corps that it was against the law to use the emblem on such items (Source ID: 1). Susan reached out to Senator Smith to request a change in the law, explaining that her brother often spoke about his Peace Corps service during his final months. She expressed her gratitude to Senator Smith for introducing the legislation, stating that she wanted to 'recognize his service by having the Peace Corps logo inscribed on his gravestone.' Despite being unable to add the emblem to the gravestone immediately, Susan left instructions for the engraving to be completed if the law changes (Source ID: 1). [1]

The bill has been co-sponsored by Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) and endorsed by the National Peace Corps Association, which praised the initiative as a 'timely and welcome action' (Source ID: 1). Carla Brown, President & CEO of the National Peace Corps Association, highlighted the significance of the legislation, stating that it would allow family members like Susan to honor the service of Peace Corps volunteers and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. The association noted that more than 250,000 Americans have volunteered with the Peace Corps over its 65-year history, and the legislation aims to provide a way to commemorate their contributions (Source ID: 1). [1]

U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) has introduced a bipartisan bill known as the Memorializing Peace Corps Service Act, which aims to allow the use of the Peace Corps seal, emblem, and logo on gravestones, plaques, and death announcements for deceased Peace Corps volunteers, officers, and staff (Source ID: 1). The legislation seeks to update a current law that prohibits the use of these symbols on commemorative items, thereby enabling families to honor the service of their loved ones in a manner that reflects their contributions (Source ID: 1). [1]

The bill was inspired by the story of Tom W. Stieve, a Peace Corps volunteer who served in Kiribati during the 1980s and later as a Peace Corps-sponsored United Nations volunteer in Vanuatu. Tom passed away in 2023 after a battle with cancer, and his sister, Susan of St. Paul, MN, wanted to commemorate his service by engraving the Peace Corps logo on his gravestone (Source ID: 1). However, she was informed by the Peace Corps that it was against the law to use the emblem on such items, prompting her to reach out to Senator Smith to seek legislative change (Source ID: 1). [1]

Susan Stieve expressed gratitude for Senator Smith’s initiative, stating that Tom’s service in the Peace Corps was the greatest honor of his life and that she wanted to recognize his legacy by having the Peace Corps logo inscribed on his gravestone (Source ID: 1). Despite being unable to have the emblem placed on his gravestone at the time of his passing, Susan left instructions for the engraving to be completed if the law ever changed (Source ID: 1). [1]

Sources

Sierra Sun Times

Prepared with AI assistance from the cited sources.