An Act to provide for a Peace Corps to help the peoples of interested countries and areas in meeting their needs for skilled manpower
PL 87-293 (H.R.7500), enacted 09/22/1961

612 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
[75 S T A T . 
Public Law 87-293 
September 22, 1961 
AN ACT 
[H. R. 7500] 
TQ provide far a Peace Corps to help the peoples of interested countries and 
areas in, meeting their needs for skilled manpower. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ 
TITLE I—THE PEACE COEPS 
SHORT TITLE 
Peace Corps Act. 
SECTION 1. Tliis Act may be cited as the "Peace Corps Act". 
DECLARATION OF PURPOSE 
SEC. 2. The Congress of the United States declares that it is the 
policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to promote 
world peace and friendship through a Peace Corps, which shall make 
available to interested countries and areas men and women of the 
United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, under 
conditions of hardship if necessary, to help the peoples of such coun-
tries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower, and to 
help promote a better understanding of the American people on the 
part of the peoples served and a better understanding of other peoples 
on the part of the American people. 
AUTHORIZATION 
SEC. 3. (a) The President is authorized to carry out programs in 
furtherance of the purposes of this Act, on such terms and conditions 
as he may determine. 
(b) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the President 
for the fiscal year 1962 not to exceed $40,000,000 to carry out the pur-
poses of this Act. 
DIRECTOR OF THE PEACE CORPS AND DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS 
SEC. 4. (a) The President may appoint, by and with the advice 
and consent of the Senate, a Director of the Peace Corps, whose com-
pensation shall be fixed by the President at a rate not in excess of 
$20,000 per annum, and a Deputy Director of the Peace Corps, whose 
compensation shall be fixed by the President at a rate not in excess of 
$19,500 per anniun. 
(b) The President may exercise any functions vested in him by 
this Act through such agency or officer of the United States Govern-
ment as he shall direct. The head of any such agency or any such 
officer may promulgate such rules and regulations as he may deem 
necessary or appropriate to carry out such functions, and may dele-
gate to any of his subordinates authority to perform any of such 
functions. 
(c) (1) Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to infringe 
upon the powers or functions of the Secretary of State. 
(2) The President shall prescribe appropriate procedures to assure 
coordination of Peace Corps activities with other activities of the 
United States Government in each country, under the leadership of the 
chief of the United States diplomatic mission. 
(3) Under the direction of the President, the Secretary of State 
shall be responsible for the continuous supervision and general direc-
75 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
613 
tion of the programs authorized by this Act, to the end that such pro-
grams are effectively integrated Doth at home and abroad and the 
foreign policy of the United States is best served thereby. 
(d) Except with the approval of the Secretary of State, the Peace 
Corps shall not be assigned to perform services which could more 
usefully be performed by other available agencies of the United States 
Government in the country concerned. 
PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS 
SEC. 5. (a) The President may enroll in the Peace Corps for service 
abroad qualified citizens and nationals of the United States (referred 
to in this Act as "volunteers"). 
The terms and conditions of the 
enrollment, training, compensation, hours of work, benefits, leave, 
termination, and all otlier terms and conditions of the service of volun-
teers shall be exclusively those set forth in this x\ct and those consistent 
therewith which the President may prescribe; and, except as provided 
in this Act, volunteers shall not be deemed officers or employees or 
otherwise in the service or employment of, or holding office under, the 
Ignited States for any purpose. 
In carrying out this subsection no 
political test shall be required or taken into consideration, nor shall 
there be any discrimination against any person on account of race, 
creed, or color. 
(b) Volunteers shall be provided with such living, travel, and leave 
allowances, and such housing, transportation, supplies, equipment, 
subsistence, and clothing as the President may determine to be neces-
sary for their maintenance and to insure their health and their 
capacity to serve effectively. 
Transportation and travel allowances 
may also be provided, in such circumstances as the President may 
determine, for applicants for enrollment to or from places of train-
ing and places of enrollment, and for former volunteers from places 
of termination to their homes in the United States. 
(c) Volunteers shall be entitled to receive termination payments 
at a rate not to exceed $75 for each month of satisfactory service as 
determined by the President. 
The termination payment of each 
volunteer shall be payable at the termination of his service, or may 
be paid during the course of his service to the volunteer, to members 
of his family or to others, under such circumstances as the President 
may determine. 
In the event of the volunteer's death during the 
]:>eriod of his service, the amount of any unpaid termination pay-
ment shall be paid in accordance wdth the provisions of section 61f 
of title 5 of the United States Code. 
64 stat. 39s. 
(d) Volunteers shall be deemed to be employees of the United 
States Government for the purposes of the Federal Employees' Com-
pensation Act (39 Stat. 742), as amended: Provided^ hoicever, That 
s use 7si note. 
entitlement to disability compensation payments under that Act 
shall commence on the day after the date of termination of service. 
F'or the purposes of that Act— 
(1) volunteers shall be deemed to be receiving monthly pay 
at the lowest rate provided for grade 7 of the general schedule 
established by the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, and 
s\rs*c*io^7^i*note 
volunteer leaders (referred to in section 6 of this Act) shall be 
deemed to be receiving monthly pay at the lowest rate provided 
for grade 11 of such general schedule; and 
(2) any injury suffered by a volunteer during any time when 
he is located abroad shall be deemed to have been sustained 
while in the performance of his duty and any disease contracted 
during such time shall be deemed to have been proximately 
caused by his employment, unless such injury or disease is 
614 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
[75 STAT. 
caused by willful misconduct of the volunteer or by the volun-
teer's intention to bring about the injury or death of himself 
or of another, or unless intoxication of the injured volunteer is 
the proximate cause of the injury or death, 
(e) Volunteers shall receive such health care during their service, 
and such health examinations and immunization preparatory to their 
service, as the President may deem necessary or appropriate. 
Sub-
ject to such conditions as the President may prescribe, such health 
care, examinations, and immunization may be provided for volun-
teers in any facility of any agency of the United States Government, 
and in such cases the appropriation for maintaining and operating 
such facility shall be reimbursed from appropriations available 
under this Act. 
(f)(1) Any period of satisfactory service of a volunteer under 
this Act shall be credited in connection with subsequent employment 
in the same manner as a like period of civilian employment by the 
United States Government— 
(A) for the purposes of the Civil Service Retirement Act, as 
70 Stat. 736. 
amended (5 U.S.C. 2251, et seq.), section 852(a) (1) of the For-
74 Stat. 844. 
eigu SeTvice Act of 1946, as amended (22 U.S.C. 1092(a) (1)), 
and every other Act establishing a retirement system for civilian 
employees of any United States Government agency; and 
(B) except as otherwise determined by the President, for the 
purposes of determining seniority, reduction in force, and lay-
off rights, leave entitlement, and other rights and privileges 
based upon length of service under the laws administered by 
22 uscso^i^note 
^^^^ Civil Service Commission, the Foreign Service Act of 1946, 
and every other Act establishing or governing terms and con-
ditions of service of civilian employees of the United States 
Government: Provided, That service of a volunteer shall not be 
credited toward completion of any probationary or trial period 
or completion of any service requirement for career appoint-
ment. 
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, 
volunteers and volunteer leaders shall be deemed to be receiving com-
pensation during their service at the respective rates of termination 
payments payable under sections 5(c) and 6(1) of this Act. 
(g) The President may detail or assign volunteers or otherwise 
make them available to any entity referred to in paragraph (1) of 
section 10(a) on such terms and conditions as he may determine: 
Provided, hov^ever, That any volunteer so detailed or assigned shall 
continue to be entitled to the allowances, benefits and privileges of 
volunteers authorized under or pursuant to this Act. 
(h) Volunteers shall be deemed employees of the United States 
2680 ^d *
^ 2 6 7 1- Government for the purposes of the Federal Tort Claims Act and any 
an no es. 
Q^j^gj. Federal tort liability statute, and for the purposes of section 1 
of the Act of June 4,1920 (41 Stat. 750), as amended (22 U.S.C. 214). 
(i) The service of a volunteer may be terminated at any time at 
the pleasure of the President. 
(j) Upon enrollment in the Peace Corps, every volunteer shall 
take the oath prescribed for persons appointed to any office of honor 
or profit by section 175Y of the Revised Statutes of the United States, 
as amended (5 U.S.C. 16), and shall swear (or affirm) that he does 
not advocate the overthrow of our constitutional form of government 
in the United States, and that he is not a member of an organization 
that advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of govern-
ment in the United States, knowing that such organization so advo-
cates. 
75 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
615 
PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER LEADERS 
SEC. 6. The President may enroll in the Peace Corps qualified citi-
zens or nationals of the United States whose services are required for 
supervisory or other special duties or responsibilities in connection 
with programs under this Act (referred to in this Act as "volunteer 
leaders"). The ratio of the total number of volunteer leaders to the 
total number of volunteers in service at any one time shall not exceed 
one to twenty-five. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, all of 
the provisions of this Act applicable to volunteers shall be applicable 
to volunteer leaders, and the term "volunteers" shall include "volun-
teer leaders": Provided^ however, That— 
(1) volunteer leaders shall be entitled to receive termination 
payments at a rate not to exceed $125 for each month of satis-
factory service as determined by the President; 
(2) spouses and minor children of volunteer leaders may re-
ceive such living, travel, and leave allowances, and such housing, 
transportation, subsistence, and essential special items of cloth-
ing, as the President may determine, but the authority contained 
in this paragraph shall be exercised only under exceptional cir-
cumstances ; 
(3) spouses and minor children of volunteer leaders accom-
panying them may receive such health care as the President may 
determine and upon such terms as he may determine, including 
health care in any facility referred to in section 5(e) of this 
Act, subject to such conditions as the President may prescribe 
and subject to reimbursement of appropriations as provided in 
section 5(e) ; and 
(4) spouses and minor children of volunteer leaders accom-
panying them may receive such orientation, language, and other 
training necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act as the 
President may determine. 
PEACE CORPS EMPLOYEES 
SEC. 7. (a) The President may employ such persons, not to exceed 
275 persons permanently employed in the United States at any one 
time in fiscal year 1962, as the President deems necessary to carry out 
the provisions and purposes of this Act. 
Except as otherwise pro-
vided in this Act, such persons (hereinafter sometimes referred to as 
"employees") shall be employed in accordance with and shall be sub-
ject to the laws applicable to personnel employed by the United States 
Government. 
(b) Of the persons so employed in the United States in activities 
authorized by this Act, not to exceed thirty may be compensated with-
out regard to the provisions of the Classification Act of 1949, as 
amended, of whom not to exceed twenty may be compensated at rates 
t^Ti|*r'in^7^i'l^ 
higher than those provided for grade fifteen of the general schedule 
established by the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, and of these 
not to exceed two may be compensated at a rate in excess of the highest 
rate provided for grades of sucli general schedule but not in excess 
of $19,000 per year. 
Such positions shall be in addition to those 
authorized by section 4(a) of this Act to be filled by Presidential 
appointment, and in addition to the number authorized by section 505 
of the Classification Act of 1949, as amended. 
s use uos. 
(c) For the purpose of performing functions under this Act out-
side the United States, the President may— 
(1) employ or assign persons, or authorize the employment or 
assignment of officers or employees of agencies of the United 
States Government, who shall receive compensation at any of 
5 u s e 1071note. 
616 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
[75 STAT. 
the rates provided for persons appointed to the Foreign Service 
Reserve and Staff under the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as 
60 Stat. 999. 
amended (22 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), together with allowances and 
benefits thereunder; and persons so employed or assigned shall 
be entitled, except to the extent that the President may specify 
otherwise in cases in which the period of the employment or 
assignment exceeds thirty months, to the same benefits as are 
22 use 928,807. 
provided by section 528 of that Act for persons appointed to the 
Foreign Service Reserve, and the provisions of section 1005 of 
that Act shall apply in the case of such persons, except that 
policymaking officials shall not be subject to that part of section 
1005 which prohibits political tests; 
(2) utilize such authority, including authority to appoint and 
assign persons for the duration of operations under this Act, 
contained in the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended, as the 
President deems necessary to carry out functions under this Act. 
Such provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1946 as the Presi-
dent deems appropriate shall apply to persons appointed or 
assigned under this paragraph, including in all cases, the provi-
sions of section 528 of that Act: Provided^ however^ That the 
President may by regulation make exceptions to the application 
of section 528 in cases in which the period of the appointment of 
assignment exceeds thirty months: Provided further^ That For-
eign Service ReserA^e officers appointed or assigned pursuant to 
this paragraph shall receive within-class salary increases in ac-
cordance with such regulations as the President may prescribe; 
and 
(3) specify which of the allowances and differentials author-
ized by title I I of the Overseas Differentials and Allowances Act 
74 Stat. 793. 
(5 U.S.C. 3031 et seq.) may be granted to any person employed, 
appointed or assigned under this subsection (c) and may de-
termine the rates thereof not to exceed those otherwise granted to 
employees under that Act. 
(d) The President is authorized to prescribe by regulation stand-
ards or other criteria for maintaining adequate performance levels 
for persons appointed or assigned pursuant to subsection (c) (2) of 
this section and section 527(c)(2) of the Mutual Security Act of 
s ^^ 36°** ^^^' "^^ 1954, as amended, and may, notwithstanding any other law, separate 
22 use 1787. 
persons who fail to meet such standards or other criteria, and also 
may grant such persons severance benefits of one month's salary for 
each year of service, but not to exceed one year's salary at the then 
current salary rate of such persons. 
(e) In each country or area in which volunteers serve abroad, the 
President may appoint an employee or a volunteer as a Peace Corps 
representative to have direction of other employees of the Peace Corps 
abroad and to oversee the activities carried on under this Act in such 
country or area. Unless a representative is a volunteer, the compensa-
tion, allowances and benefits, and other terms and conditions of serv-
ice of each such representative, shall be the same as those of a person 
appointed or assigned pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection 
(c) of this section, except that any such representative may, not-
withstanding any provision of law, be removed by the President in 
his discretion. 
VOLUNTEER 
TRAINING 
SEC. 8. (a) The President shall make provision for such training as 
he deems appropriate for each applicant for enrollment as a volunteer 
and each enrolled volunteer. 
All of the provisions of this Act applica-
ble respectively to volunteers and volunteer leaders shall be applicable 
to applicants for enrollment as such during any period of training 
75 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
617 
occurring prior to enrollment, and the respective terms "volunteers" 
and "volunteer leaders" shall include such applicants during any such 
period of training. 
(b) The President may also make provision, on the basis of advances 
of funds or reimbursement to the United States, for training for citi-
zens of the United States, other than those referred to in subsection 
(a) of this section, who have been selected for service abroad in pro-
grams not carried out under authority of this Act which are similar 
to those authorized by this Act. 
The provisions of section 9 of this 
Act shall apply, on a similar advance of funds or a reimbursement 
basis, with respect to persons while within the United States for train-
ing under authority of this subsection. 
Advances or reimbursements 
received under this subsection may be credited to the current applica-
ble appropriation, fund, or account and shall be available for the pur-
poses for which such appropriation, fund, or account is authorized to 
be used. 
(c) Training hereinabove provided for shall include instruction in 
the philosophy, strategy, tactics, and menace of communism. 
PARTICIPATION OF FOREIGN 
NATIONALS 
SEC. 9. In order to provide for assistance by foreign nationals in 
the training of volunteers, and to permit effective implementation of 
Peace Corps projects with due regard for the desirability of cost-
sharing arrangements, w^iere appropriate, the President may make 
provision for transportation, housing, subsistence, or per diem in 
lieu thereof, and health care or health and accident insurance for 
foreign nationals engaged in activities authorized by this Act while 
they are away from their homes, without regard to the provisions 
of any other law: Provided^ hoioever^ That per diem in lieu of sub-
sistence furnished to such persons shall not be at rates higher than 
those prescribed by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 12 of 
Public Law 84-885 (70 Stat. 890). 
Such persons, and persons 
s use i70q. 
coming to the United States under contract pursuant to section 
10(a) (4), may be admitted to the United States, if otherwise quali-
fied, as nonimmigrants under section 101(a) (15) of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (15)) for such time and under 
^^ ^tat. lee. 
such conditions as may be prescribed by regulations promulgated by 
the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. 
A person 
admitted under this section who fails to maintain the status under 
which he was admitted or who fails to depart from the United 
States at the expiration of the time for which lie was admitted, or 
who engages in activities of a political nature detrimental to the 
interests of the United States, or in activities not consistent with the 
security of the United States, shall, upon the warrant of the 
Attorney General, be taken into custody and promptly deported 
pursuant to sections 241, 242, and 243 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act. 
Deportation proceedings under this section shall 1353" ^ *
^ 1251-
be summary and the findings of the Attorney General as to matters 
of fact shall be conclusive. 
GENERAL POWERS AND AUTHORITIES 
SEC. 10. (a) In furtherance of the purposes of this Act, the Presi-
dent may— 
(1) enter into, perform, and modify contracts and agreements 
and otherwise cooperate with any agency of the United States 
Government or of any State or any subdivision thereof, other 
governments and departments and agencies thereof, and educa-
64207 0-62—42 
618 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
[75 STAT. 
tional institutions, voluntary agencies, farm organizations, labor 
unions, and other organizations, individuals and firms; 
(2) assign volunteers in special cases to temporary duty with 
international organizations and agencies when the Secretary of 
State determines that such assignment would serve the purposes of 
this Act: Provided^ That not more than one hundred and twenty-
five Peace Corps volunteers or volunteer leaders shall be assigned 
to international organizations as described in this section; 
(3) accept in the name of the Peace Corps and employ in 
furtherance of the purposes of this Act (A) voluntary services 
64 Stat. 765. 
notwithstanding the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 665(b), and (B) 
any money or property (real, personal or mixed, tangible or 
intangible) received by gift, devise, bequest, or otherwise; and 
(4) contract with individuals for personal services abroad, and 
with aliens (abroad or within the United States) for personal 
services within the United States: Provided^ That no such person 
shall be deemed an officer or employee or otherwise in the service 
or employment of the United States Government for any purpose. 
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the 
President determines that it will further the purposes of this Act, the 
President, under such regulations as he may prescribe, may settle and 
pay, in an amount not exceeding $10,000, any claim against the 
United States, for loss of or damage to real or personal property 
(including loss of occupancy or use tliereof) belonging to, or for per-
sonal injury or death of, any person not a citizen or resident of the 
United States, where such claim arises abroad out of the act or omis-
sion of any Peace Corps employee or out of the act or omission of 
any volunteer, but only if such claim is presented in writing within 
one year after it accrues. Any amount paid in settlement of any claim 
under this subsection shall be accepted by the claimant in full satis-
faction thereof and shall bar any further action or proceeding thereon. 
(c) Subject to any future action of the Congress, a contract or 
agreement which entails commitments for the expenditure of funds 
available for the purposes of this Act, including commitments for the 
purpose of paying or providing for allowances and other benefits of 
volunteers authorized by sections 5 and 6 of this Act, may extend at 
any time for not more than thirty-six months. 
(d) Whenever the President determines it to be in furtherance of 
the purposes of this Act, functions authorized by this Act may be 
performed without regard to such provisions of law (other than the 
stat^ 2^V*' ^' ''^ Renegotiation Act of 1951, as amended) regulating the making, per-
souscapp. 1211 formance, amendment, or modification of contracts and the expendi-
ture of Government funds as the President may specify. 
(e) The President may allocate or transfer to any agency of the 
United States Government any funds available for carrying out the 
purposes of this Act including any advance received by the United 
States from any country or international organization under author-
ity of this Act, but not to exceed 20 per centum in the aggregate of 
such funds may be allocated or transferred to agencies other than the 
Peace Corps. 
Such funds shall be available for obligation and 
expenditure for the purposes of this Act in accordance with authority 
granted in this Act or under authority governing the activities of the 
agencies of the United States Government to which such funds are 
allocated or transferred. 
(f) Any officer of the United States Government carrying out func-
tions under this Act may utilize the services and facilities of, or 
procure commodities from, any agency of the United States Govern-
ment as the President shall direct, or with the consent of the head 
of such agency, and funds allocated pursuant to this subsection to 
note 
75 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-8EPT. 22, 1961 
619 
any such agency may be established in separate appropriation accounts 
on the books of the Treasury. 
(g) In the case of any commodity, service, or facility procured 
from any agency of the United States Government under this Act, 
reimbursement or payment shall be made to such agency from funds 
available under this Act. Such reimbursement or payment shall be 
at replacement cost, or, if required by law, at actual cost, or at any 
other price authorized by law and agreed to by the owning or disposing 
agency. The amount of any such reimbursement or payment shall 
be credited to current applicable appropriations, funds, or accounts 
from which there may be procured replacements of similar commodi-
ties, services, or facilities, except that where such appropriations, funds, 
or accounts are not reimbursable except by reason of this subsection, 
and when the owning or disposing agency determines that such replace-
ment is not necessary, any funds received in payment therefor shall be 
covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. 
REPORTS 
SEC. 11. The President shall transmit to the Congress, at least once 
in each fiscal year, a report on operations under this Act. 
PEACE CORPS NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL 
SEC. 12. (a) The President may appoint to membership in a board 
to be known as the Peace Corps National Advisory Council twenty-five 
persons who are broadly representative of educational institutions, vol-
untary agencies, farm organizations, and labor unions, and other public 
and private organizations and groups as well as individuals interested 
in the programs and objectives of the Peace Corps, to advise and consult 
with the President with regard to policies and programs designed to 
further the purposes of this Act. 
(b) Members of the Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Presi-
dent and meet at his call. They shall receive no compensation for their 
services, but members who are not officers or employees of the United 
States Government may each receive out of funds made available for 
the purposes of this Act a per diem allowance of $50 for each day, not 
to exceed twenty days in any fiscal year in the case of any such member, 
spent away from his home or regular place of business for the purpose 
of attendance at meetings or conferences and in necessary travel, and 
while so engaged may be paid actual travel expenses and per diem in 
lieu of subsistence and other expenses, at the applicable rate prescribed 
by the Standardized Government Travel Regulations, as amended from 
time to time. 
E X P E R T S AND CONSULTANTS 
SEC. 13. (a) Experts and consultants or organizations thereof may, 
as authorized bv section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946, as amended 
(5 U.S.C. 55a), be employed by the Peace Corps for the performance of 
^° ^*"*' ^^°-
functions under this Act, and individuals so employed may be compen-
sated at rates not in excess of $75 per diem, and while away from their 
homes or regular places of business, they may be paid actual travel 
expenses and per diem in lieu of subsistence and other expenses at the 
applicable rate prescribed in the Standardized Government Travel 
Kegulations, as amended from time to time, while so employed: Pro-
vided^ That contracts for such employment may be renewed annually. 
(b) Service of an individual as a member of the Council authorized 
to be established by section 12 of this Act or as an expert or consultant 
under subsection (a) of this section shall not be considered as service or 
employment bringing such individual within the provisions of section 
620 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
[75 STAT. 
62 Stat. 697. 
281, 283, O
F 284 of title 18 of the United States Code, or of section 190 
of the Revised Statutes (5 U.S.C. 99), or of any other Federal law im-
posing restrictions, requirements, or penalties in relation to the employ-
ment of persons, the performance of service, or the payment or receipt 
of compensation in connection with any claim, proceeding, or matter 
involving the United States Government, except insofar as such provi-
sions of law may prohibit any such individual from receiving compen-
sation in respect of any particular matter in which such individual was 
directly involved in the performance of such service; nor shall such 
service be considered as employment or holding of office or position 
bringing such individual withm the provisions of section 13 of the 
70 Stat. 757. 
(j-^'j ggrvice Retirement Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 2263), section 212 
stat^ Tgf '*°^' *^ o* t^^^ ^^^ ^* '^"^^^ ^^' ^^^^' ^^ amended (5 U.S.C. 59a), section 872 of 
74 Stat! 846. 
the Foreigu Service Act of 1946, as amended, or any other law limiting 
the reemployment of retired officers or employees or governing the 
simultaneous receipt of compensation and retired pay or annuities. 
22 u s e 1112. 
DETAIL o r 
TERSONNEL TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND 
INTERNATIONAL 
ORGANIZATIONS 
SEC. 14. (a) In furtherance of the purposes of this Act, the head of 
any agency of the United States Government is authorized to detail, 
assign, or otherwise make available any officer or employee of his 
agency (1) to serve with, or as a member of, the international staff of 
any international organization, or (2) to any office or position to 
which no compensation is attached w4th any foreign government or 
agency thereof: Pt'ovided, That such acceptance of such office or 
position shall in no case involve the taking of an oath of allegiance 
to another government. 
(b) Any such officer or employee, while so detailed or assigned, 
shall be considered, for the purpose of preserving his allowances, 
privileges, rights, seniority, and other benefits as such, an officer or 
employee of the United States Government and of the agency of the 
United States Government from which detailed or assigned, and he 
shall continue to receive compensation, allowances, and benefits from 
funds authorized by this Act. He may also receive, under such regu-
lations as the President may prescribe, representation allowances 
similar to those allowed under section 901 of the Foreign Service xict 
74 Stat. 801. 
of 1946 (22 U.S.C. 1131). The authorization of such allowances and 
other benefits, and the payment thereof out of any appropriations 
available therefor, shall be considered as meeting all of the require-
ments of section 1765 of the Revised Statutes (5 U.S.C. 70). 
(c) Details or assignments may be made under this section— 
(1) without reimbursement to the United States Government by 
the international organization or foreign government; 
(2) upon agreement by the international organization or for-
eign government to reimburse the United States Government for 
compensation, travel expenses, and allowances, or any part thereof, 
payable to such officer or employee during the period of assign-
ment or detail in accordance with subsection (b) of this section; 
and such reimbursement shall be credited to the appropriation, 
fund, or account utilized for paying such compensation, travel 
expenses, or allowances, or to the appropriation, fund, or account 
currently available for such purpose; or 
(3) upon an advance of funds, property or services to the 
United States Government accepted with the approval of the 
President for specified uses in furtherance of the purposes of this 
Act; and funds so advanced may be established as a separate 
fund in the Treasury of the United States Government, to be 
available for the specified uses, and to be used for reimbursement 
75 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
621 
of appropriations or direct expenditure subject to the provisions 
of this Act, any unexpended balance of such account to be 
returned to the foreign government or international organization. 
UTILIZATION OF FUNDS 
SEC. 15. (a) Funds made available for the purposes of this Act may 
be used for compensation, allowances and travel of employees, includ-
ing Foreign Service personnel whose services are utilized primarily 
for the purposes of this Act, for printing and binding without regard 
to the provisions of any other law, and for expenditures outside the 
United States for the procurement of supplies and services and for 
other administrative and operating purposes (other than compensa-
tion of employees) without regard to such laws and regulations gov-
erning the obligation and expenditure of Government funds as may 
be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act. 
(b) Funds made available for the purposes of this Act may be used 
to pay expenses in connection with travel abroad of employees and, to 
the extent otherwise authorized by this Act, of volunteers, including 
travel expenses of dependents (including expenses during necessary 
stopovers while engaged in such travel), and transportation of per-
sonal effects, household goods, and automobiles when any part of such 
travel or transportation begins in one fiscal year pursuant to travel 
orders issued in that fiscal year, notwithstanding the fact that such 
travel or transportation may not be completed during the same fiscal 
year, and cost of transporting to and from a place of storage, and the 
cost of storing automobiles of employees when it is in the public 
interest or more economical to authorize storage. 
(c) Funds available under this Act may be used to pay costs of 
training employees employed or assigned pursuant to section 7(c) (2) 
of this Act (through interchange or otherwise) at any State or local 
unit of government, public or private nonprofit institution, trade, labor, 
agricultural, or scientific association or organization, or commercial 
firm; and the provisions of Public Law 84-918 (7 U.S.C. 1881 et seq.) 
7o stat. 934. 
may be used to carry out the foregoing authority notwithstanding that 
interchange of personnel may not be involved or that the training may 
not take place at the institutions specified in that Act. 
Such training 
shall not De considered employment or holding of office under section 2 
of the Act of July 31, 1894, as amended (5 U.S.C. 62), and any pay-
ments or contributions in connection therewith may, as deemed appro-
priate by the head of the agency of the United States Government 
authorizing such training, be made by private or public sources and 
be accepted by any trainee, or may be accepted by and credited to the 
current applicable appropriation of such agency: Provided^ hoioever^ 
That any such payments to an employee in the nature of compensation 
shall be in lieu, or in reduction, of compensation received from the 
United States Government. 
(d) Funds available for the purposes of this Act shall be available 
for— 
(1) rent of buildings and space in buildings in the United 
States, and for repair, alteration, and improvement of such leased 
properties; 
(2) expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the 
purposes of this Act, including (notwithstanding the provisions 
of section 9 of Public Law 60-328 (31 U.S.C. 673)) expenses in 
connection with meetings of persons whose employment is author-
ized by section 13(a) of this Act; 
(3) rental and hire of aircraft; 
622 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
[75 ST 
A T . 
(4) purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles: Provided, 
That, except as may otherwise be provided in an appropriation 
or other Act, passenger motor vehicles for administrative purposes 
abroad may be purchased for replacement only, and such vehicles 
may be exchanged or sold and replaced by an equal number of such 
vehicles, and the cost, including exchange allowance, of each such 
replacement shall not exceed $2,500 in the case of an automobile 
for any Peace Corps country representative appointed under 
section 7(e) : Provided further, 
That passenger motor vehicles 
may be purchased for use in the United States only as may be 
specifically provided in an appropriation or other Act; 
(5) entertainment (not to exceed $5,000 in any fiscal year except 
as may otherwise be provided in an appropriation or other Act); 
(6) exchange of funds without regard to section 3561 of the 
Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 543) and loss by exchange; 
(7) expenditures (not to exceed $5,000 in any fiscal year except 
as may be otherwise provided in an appropriation or other Act) 
not otherwise authorized by law to meet unforeseen emergencies 
or contingencies arising in the Peace Corps: Provided, That a 
certificate of the amount only of each such expenditure and that 
such expenditure was necessary to meet an unforeseen emergency 
or contingency, made by the Director of the Peace Corps or his 
designee, shall be deemed a sufficient voucher for the amount 
therein specified; 
(8) insurance of official motor vehicles acquired for use abroad; 
(9) rent or lease abroad for not to exceed five years of offices, 
health facilities, buildings, grounds, and living quarters, and 
payments therefor in advance; maintenance, furnishings, neces-
sary repairs, improvements, and alterations to properties owned 
or rented by the United States Government or made available 
for its use abroad; and costs of fuel, water, and utilities for such 
properties; 
(10) expenses of preparing and transporting to their former 
homes, or, with respect to foreign participants engaged in activi-
ties under this Act, to their former homes or places of burial, and 
of care and disposition of, the remains of persons or members 
of the families of persons who may die while such persons are 
away from their homes participating in activities under this Act; 
(11) use in accordance with authorities of the Foreign Service 
60 Stat. 999. 
^^t of 1946, as amended (22 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), not otherwise 
provided for; and 
(12) ice and drinking water for use abroad. 
APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS SERVING UNDER PRIOR LAW 
SEC. 16. (a) Under such terms and conditions as the President may 
prescribe, volunteer personnel who on the effective date of this Act 
have been engaged by contract by, or pursuant to agreement with, the 
Peace Corps agency established within the Department of State pur-
26 F.R. 1789. 
suaut to Executivc Order Numbered 10924, dated March 1, 1961, may 
be enrolled as volunteers or volunteer leaders under this Act. 
Such 
enrollment may be made effective, for any or all purposes, as of a date 
prior to the effective date of this Act but not earlier than the date of 
commencement of training of the person in question. 
All allow-
ances and termination payments similar to those authorized by this 
Act received by any such person or by members of liis family or pay-
able with respect to any period between the effective date and the ac-
tual date of such enrollment shall be deemed for all purposes to have 
been received or to be payable under the appropriate provision of 
this Act. 
75 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
623 
(b) Any person who was appointed by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate to be Director of the Peace Corps prior to the 
enactment of this Act may be appointed by the President to be 
Director of the Peace Corps under section 4(a) of this Act without 
further action by the Senate. 
USE OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES 
SEC. 17, Whenever possible, expenditures incurred in carrying out 
functions under this Act shall be paid for in such currency of the 
country or area w^here the expense is incurred as may be available to 
the United States. 
i i 
APPLICABILITY OF MUTUAL DEFENSE ASSISTANCE CONTROL ACT 
SEC. 18. The Mutual Defense Assistance Control Act of 1951 (22 
U.S.C. 1611 et seq.) shall apply with respect to functions carried 
^^ ^*°*- ^'*'*-
out under this Act except in cases where the President shall determine 
that such application would be detrimental to the interests of the 
United States. 
SEAL 
SEC. 19. The President may adopt, alter, and use an official seal 
or emblem of the Peace Corps of such design as he shall determine, 
which shall be judicially noticed. 
MORATORIUM ON STUDENT LOANS 
72 Stat. 1584. 
SEC. 20. Section 205 of the National Defense Education Act of 1958 
(20 U.S.C. 425) is amended by deleting the word "or" immediately 
preceding clause (ii) of section 205(b) (2) (A) and by adding immedi-
ately after that clause the following: "or (iii) not in excess of three 
years during which the borrower is in service as a volunteer under the 
Peace Corps Act: Provided^ That this clause shall apply to; any loan 
outstanding on the effective date of the Peace Corps Act only with 
the consent of the then obligee institution,". 
AMENDMENT TO CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT ACT 
SEC. 21. Subsection (j) of section 3 of the Civil Service Retirement 
Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 2253), is amended to read as follows: 
^° ^*"*- ''*^-
"(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or section 
5 (f) of the Peace Corps Act, any military service (other than military 
service covered by military leave with pay from a civilian position) 
performed by an individual after December 1956 and any period of 
service by an individual as a volunteer under the Peace Corps Act, shall 
be excluded in determining the aggregate period of service upon which 
an annuity payable under this chapter to such individual or to his 
widow or child is to be based, if such individual or widow or child is 
entitled (or would upon proper application be entitled) at the time of 
such determination, to monthly old-age or survivors benefits under 
section 202 of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 402), 
based on such individual's wages and self-employment income. If in 
the case of the individual or widow such military service or service 
under the Peace Corps Act is not excluded under the preceding sen-
tence, but upon attaining age sixty-two, he or she becomes entitled (or 
would upon proper application be entitled) to such benefits, the Com-
mission shall redetermine the aggregate period of service upon which 
such annuity is based, effective as of the first day of the month in which 
he or she attains such age, so as to exclude such service. The Secretary 
624 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
[75 STAT. 
of Health, Education, and Welfare shall, upon the request of the 
Commission, inform the Commission whether or not any such individ-
ual or widow or child is entitled at any specified time to such benefits." 
SECUKITY INVESTIGATIONS 
SEC. 22. All persons employed or assigned to duties under this Act 
shall be investigated to insure that the employment or assignment is 
consistent with the national interest in accordance with standards and 
procedures established by the President. 
If an investigation made 
pursuant to this section develops any data reflecting that the person 
who is the subject of the investigation is of questionable loyalty or is 
a questionable security risk, the investigating agency shall refer the 
matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the conduct of a 
full field investigation. 
The results of that full field investigation 
shall be furnished to the initial investigating agency, and to the 
agency by which the subject person is employed, for information and 
appropriate action. 
Volunteers shall be deemed employees of the 
United States Government for the purpose of this section. 
UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING AND SERVICE ACT 
SEC. 23. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or regu-
lation, service in the Peace Corps as a volunteer shall not in any way 
exempt such volunteer from the performance of any obligations or 
duties under the provisions of the Universal Military Training and 
"f*f*-^5- 
,, Service Act. 
50 u s e app. 451 
et seq. 
FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROriCIENCY 
SEC. 24. No person shall be assigned to duty as a volunteer under 
this Act in any foreign country or area unless at the time of such 
assignment he possesses such reasonable proficiency as his assignment 
requires in speaking the language of the country or area to which he 
is assigned. 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 25. (a) The term "abroad" means any area outside the United 
States. 
(b) The term "United States" means the several States and terri-
tories and the District of Columbia. 
(c) The term "function" includes any duty, obligation, right, power, 
authority, responsibility, privilege, discretion, activity, and program. 
(d) The term "health care" includes all appropriate examinations, 
preventive, curative and restorative health and medical care, and sup-
plementary services when necessary. 
(e) For the purposes of this or any other Act, the period of any 
individual's service as a volunteer under this Act shall include— 
(i) except for the purposes of section 5(f) of this Act, any 
period of training under section 8(a) prior to enrollment as a 
volunteer under this Act; and 
(ii) the period between enrollment as a volunteer and the 
termination of service as such volunteer by the President or by 
death or resignation. 
(f) The term "United States Government agency" includes any 
department, board, wholly or partly owned corporation, or instru-
mentality, commission, or establishment of the United States Govern-
ment. 
(g) The word "transportation" in sections 5(b) and 6(2) includes 
transportation of not to exceed three hundred pounds per person of 
unaccompanied necessary personal and household effects. 
75 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
625 
CONSTRUCTION 
SEC. 26. If any provision of this Act or the application of any pro-
vision to any circumstances or persons shall be held invalid, the 
validity of the remainder of this Act and the applicability of such 
provision to other circumstances or persons shall not be affected 
thereby. 
EFFECTIVE DATE 
SEC. 27. This Act shall take effect on the date of its enactment. 
TITLE II—AMENDMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE 
AND SOCIAL SECURITY ACT 
TAXATION OF ALLOWANCES 
SEC. 201. (a) Section 912 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 
lH^i^-^°^-
(relating to exemption from gross income for certain allowances) is 
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: 
"(3) PEACE CORPS ALLOWANCES.—In the case of an individual 
who is a volunteer or volunteer leader within the meaning of the 
Peace Corps Act and members of his family, amounts received as 
allowances under section 5 or 6 of the Peace Corps Act other than 
amounts received as— 
"(A) termination payments under section 5(c) or section 
6(1) of such Act, 
"(B) leave allowances, 
"(C) if such individual is a volunteer leader training in the 
United States, allowances to members of his family, and 
"(D) such portion of living allowances as the President 
may determine under the Peace Corps Act as constituting 
basic compensation." 
(b) Section 1303(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (relat- 
^g'^ul'c^ia^o^.' 
ing to definition of back pay) is amended by adding at the end thereof 
the following new paragraph: 
"(4) Termination payments under section 5(c) or section 6(1) 
of the Peace Corps Act which are received or accrued by an indi-
vidual during the taxable year on account of any period of service, 
as a volunteer or volunteer leader under the Peace Corps Act, 
occurring prior to the taxable year." 
(c) Section 3401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (relating 
^ ^^^- ^^^^ 
to the definition of wages for purposes of the collection of income tax 
at source on wages) is amended by striking out the period at the end 
of paragraph (12) and inserting in lieu thereof "; or", and by adding 
at the end thereof the following new paragraph: 
"(13) pursuant to any provision of law other than section 5(c) 
or 6(1) of the Peace Corps Act, for service performed as a volun-
teer or volunteer leader within the meaning of such Act." 
(d) The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of this 
section shall apply with respect to taxable years ending after March 1, 
1961. The amendment made by subsection (c) shall apply with 
resi)ect to remuneration paid after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
626 
PUBLIC LAW 87-293-SEPT. 22, 1961 
[75 S T A T . 
SOCIAL SECURITY COVERAGE 
26 us^c sYa^i. 
^ ^ - 2^2-. (^) (^) Section 3121 (i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1954 (relating to computation of wages for purposes of the Federal 
Insurance Contributions Act) is amended by adding at the end thereof 
the following new paragraph: 
"(3) PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER SERVICE.—For purposes of this 
chapter, in the case of an individual performing service, as a vol-
unteer or volunteer leader within the meaning of the Peace Corps 
'"'™- 
Act, to which the provisions of section 3121 (p) are applicable, 
the term 'wages' shall, subject to the provisions of subsection 
(a) (1) of this section, include as such individual's remuneration 
for such service only amounts paid pursuant to section 6(c) or 
6(1) of the Peace Corps Act." 
(2) Section 3121 of such Code is amended by adding at the end 
thereof the following new subsection: 
"(p) PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER SERVICE.—For purposes of this 
chapter, the term 'employment' shall, notwithstanding the provisions 
of subsection (b) of this section, include service performed by an 
individual as a volunteer or volunteer leader within the meaning of 
the Peace Corps Act." 
ae^scT'am*' 
(^^ ^^® ^^^ sentence of section 3122 of such Code (relating to 
Federal service) is amended by inserting after "section 3121 (m) (1) 
are applicable," the following: "and including service, performed as a 
volunteer or volunteer leader within the meaning of the Peace Corps 
Act, to which the provisions of section 3121 (p) are applicable,". 
68A Stat. 747. 
(4) Sectiou 6051(a) of such Code (relating to receipts for em-
"^^ 
' 
ployees) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new 
sentence: "In the case of compensation paid for service as a volun-
teer or volunteer leader within the meaning of the Peace Corps Act, 
the statement shall show, in lieu of the amount required to be shown 
by paragraph (5), the total amount of wages as defined in section 
3121(a), computed in accordance with such section and section 3121 
Supra. 
(i)(3)." 
60 Stat. 979. 
(b) (1) Sectiou 210 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 410) is 
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: 
"Peace Corps Volunteer Service 
"(o) The term 'employment' shall, notwithstanding the provisions 
of subsection (a), include service performed by an individual as a 
volunter or volunteer leader within the meaning of the Peace Corps 
Act." 
(2) Section 209 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 409) is amended by adding 
at the end thereof the following new paragraph: 
"For purposes of this title, in the case of an individual performing 
service, as a volunteer or volunteer leader within the meaning of the 
Supra. 
Peace Corps Act, to which the provisions of section 210(o) are 
applicable, (1) the term 'wages' shall, subject to the provisions of 
subsection (a) of this section, include as such individual's remunera-
tion for such service only amounts certified as payable pursuant to 
section 5(c) or 6(1) of the Peace Corps Act, and (2) any such amount 
shall be deemed to have been paid to such individual at the time the 
service, with respect to which it is paid, is performed." 
(3) The first sentence of section 205(p) (1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
64 Stat. 520. 
405 (p) (1)) is amended by inserting after "are applicable," the fol-
lowing: "and including service, performed as a volunteer or volun-
teer leader within the meaning of the Peace Corps Act, to which the 
provisions of section 210 (o) are applicable,". 
75 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 87-294-SEPT. 22, 1961 
627 
(c) The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of this sec-
tion shall apply with respect to service performed after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
In the case of any individual who is 
enrolled as a volunteer or volunteer leader under section 16(a) of 
this Act, such amendments shall apply with respect to service per-
formed on or after the effective date of such enrollment. 
Approved September 22, 1961. 
Public Law 87-294 
AN ACT 
To amend the Act to promote the education of the blind, approved March 3, 
1879, as amended, so as to authorize wider distribution of boolis and other 
special instruction materials for the blind, and to increase the appropriations 
authorized for this purpose, and to otherwise improve such Act. 
September 22, 1961 
[H. R. 9030] 
Be it enacted hy the SeiKtte and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That the first sen-
tence of section 3 of the Act entitled "An Act to promote the educa-
tion of the blind", approved March 3, 1879, as amended (20 U.S.C. 
102), is amended to read as follows: "The Secretary of Health, 
Education, and Welfare is hereby authorized to pay over semian-
nually, to the trustees of the American Printing House for the Blind, 
located in Louisville, Kentucky, and chartered in 1858 by the Legisla-
ture of Kentucky, upon requisition of their president, countersigned 
by their treasurer, one-half of such annual appropriation upon the 
following conditions:". 
SEC. 2. The paragraph of such section 3 designated "Second." is 
amended to read as follows: 
"Second. No part of the appropriation shall be expended in the 
erection or leasing of buildings; but the trustees of the American 
Printing House for the Blind may use each year a reasonable sum 
of the annual appropriation for salaries and other expenses of experts 
and other staff to assist special committees which may be appointed 
in performance of their functions, and for expenses of such special 
committees." 
SEC. 3. The paragraph of such section 3 designated "Sixth." is 
amended to read as follows: 
"Sixth. The superintendent of each public institution for the educa-
tion of the blind (or his designee) and the chief State school officer 
(or his designee), of each State and possession of the United States, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, shall 
each, ex officio, be a member of the Board of Trustees of the American 
Printing House for the Blind only for purposes of administering 
this Act." 
SEC. 4. The Act entitled "An Act providing additional aid for the 
American Printing House for the Blind", approved August 4,1919, as 
amended (20 U.S.C. 101), is further amended by striking out "the 
sum not to exceed $400,000" and inserting in lieu thereof the follow-
ing: "such sum as the Congress may determine", and by inserting 
after "said Act" the following: ", under rules and regulations pre-
scribed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare,". 
SEC. 5. The amendments made by this Act shall be effective im-
mediately after the date of its enactment. 
Approved September 22, 1961. 
American Print-
ing House for the 
Blind. 
20 Stat. 468. 
Buildings. 
Restriction. 
Ex officio trus-
tees. 
Trust fund. 
70 Stat. 939.