[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 79 (Monday, June 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF NANCY JEAN COUTU

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to 
honor the memory of the late Peace Corps volunteer Nancy Jean Coutu, as 
a special memorial site at Elm Brook Park in West Hopkinton will be 
dedicated to her memory on June 15, 1997 at 1 p.m.
  Nancy was an American hero. She was personally involved in educating 
children and helping people with disabilities help themselves. She 
brought joy to the lives of everyone she touched during her two summers 
when she worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the park. The 
Elm Brook Park was special to her, and she helped the many staff 
members make it much more accessible to persons with disabilities.
  Nancy, a 1993 graduate from the University of New Hampshire, was 
murdered by native tribesmen in Madagascar on April 9, 1996, after 
serving almost 2 years as a volunteer member working in a parks and 
wildlife program for the U.S. Peace Corps. She had lived in a mud hut 
teaching the 300 villagers how to grow vegetables, and building a 
school, hospital, and roads in the island country off the east coast of 
Africa.
  More than 140,00 Americans have served in the Peace Crops since it 
was founded in 1961. Tragically 15 have been killed, in all corners of 
the world while promoting the spirt of voluntarism.
  Mr. President, Nancy truly exemplified the spirt of voluntarism. I 
join with her family and friends, in expressing hope that the 
dedication of a memorial to honor her will inspire that spirit in 
others, and bring attention to the remarkable service of all public 
service volunteers.

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