[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BARBARA BUSCH

  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an American who has given graciously and unselfishly to her country. 
For over 36 years, Barbara Busch served this nation with great 
distinction in her many different capacities at the U.S. Peace Corps: 
from a staff assistant when she first began in 1964, to Executive 
Officer of the Recruitment and Communications Division, to Chief of 
Operations of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection, to Acting Director 
of the Peace Corps. It is truly a story of hard work and dedication.
  Barbara retired from public service just under one month ago. Mr. 
President, I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate her for a 
remarkable career and wish her well as she moves on to the next stage 
of her life. She leaves the Peace Corps with a better understanding of 
its importance and its role in the world than anyone that comes to 
mind. She will be greatly missed.
  When I had the privilege to serve as Peace Corps Director, Barbara 
was working in the Office of Planning, Budget, and Finance. She was a 
diligent worker, excellent manager, and had a wonderful rapport with 
Peace Corp volunteers and returned volunteers alike. She was one of the 
few, courageous supporters of World Wise Schools, an innovative global 
education program that provides students in the United States with a 
view of life in countries around the globe. Since its inception in 
1989, more than a million students in all 50 states have ``put a face 
on a place'' through World Wise Schools.
  Back in 1964, when Barbara began her service, the Peace Corps was 
operating in 48 countries. Today, after her 36 years, the Peace Corps 
has 7,000 volunteers in 78 countries around the globe. It is because of 
dedicated public servants like Barbara that the Peace Corps continues 
to build on its distinguished record of service and continues to 
provide unique leadership around the world. There is no doubt that 
Barbara embodies the very spirit of the Peace Corps: a strong work 
ethic, generosity of spirit, and a commitment to service--the finest 
characteristics of the America people.
  The Peace Corps continues to be the most successful program of its 
kind precisely because of its commitment to serving others. It is this 
legacy of service and commitment to others that Barbara leaves behind 
and for which she will be remembered.

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