[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN SUPPORT OF 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

                                 ______


                       HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 1996

  Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my 
congratulations to the Peace Corps on the celebration of its 35th 
anniversary and to thank all of the many volunteers who have given so 
much of themselves over the past three and a half decades to ensure the 
success of the Peace Corps mission abroad.
  The Peace Corps currently has over 6,000 American volunteers 
operating in 94 countries, providing skills and services that range 
from teaching English in densely populated cities to repairing damaged 
or outdated water structures in remote villages. The beauty of this 
program is that it is a cultural exchange. Yes, the host countries are 
exposed to some of the technological and social advancements our 
country has to offer through the important services of the Peace Corps 
volunteers; but after 2 years of service, the volunteers also bring 
back home with them more than they could ever anticipate: a new 
language, a new culture, new job skills, and an enlightened world view. 
This is a win-win program if I've ever seen one.
  Knowing that the creation of the Peace Corps was one of President 
Kennedy's proudest accomplishments during his administration, I am 
pleased to see that my uncle's vision for the involvement of U.S. 
citizens in international development has endured. My hat's off to all 
current and former Peace Corps volunteers, and I sincerely hope that 
their idealism and service to both our country and our international 
neighbors continues to be passed on from generation to generation.

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