Lewis Butler

former director, Peace Corps, Malaysia

Lewis H. Butler received his AB, Bachelor of Laws degree from Princeton University, and his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1952. He spent 10 years there practicing law as a partner in a local law firm, in addition to serving as chairman of the California State Bar Committee. In April 1961 the United States Peace Corps initiated a nationwide search for potential overseas leaders for the fledgling program. Butler was chosen as one of only eighty-six individuals, from over one thousand possible applicants. He was chosen to act as deputy director of the Malaysian Peace Corps program in 1961 and stayed on as the national, Peace Corps Director for Malaysia from 1963 to 1964. He continued to serve as a consultant for the Peace Corps until 1968, evaluating educational programs in Somalia, Nigeria, and Nepal. He continued to serve his nation acting as assistant secretary for Planning and Evaluation, in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, from April 1969 to July 1971. He tendered his resignation to President Nixon in 1971, objecting to the administrations decision to invade Cambodia. He remains politically active as of 2008, acting as chairman emeritus of California Tomorrow, chairman emeritus of the Ploughshares Fund, and as co-chair of the Revolt of the Elders Coalition.