[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE VOLUNTEER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, on December 5th, I spoke to volunteers and 
staff at the Peace Corps headquarters here in Washington, D.C. to mark 
the International Day of the Volunteer. In 1985, the United Nations 
General Assembly declared December 5th as ``International Volunteer 
Day'' to honor the accomplishments of volunteers and volunteer 
organizations. It is a day to recognize volunteers, promote the concept 
of volunteerism, and provide an opportunity for volunteer organizations 
to come together for joint planning, service, and other activities.
  Today I'd like to salute the 161,000 Americans who have served as 
volunteers in the Peace Corps since 1961. For 40 years, Peace Corps 
Volunteers have worked in over 130 countries to answer President John 
F. Kennedy's call to service: ``Ask not what your country can do for 
you, ask what you can do for your country, and to the citizens of the 
world, ask not what America can do for you, but what we can do working 
together for the freedom of mankind.'' Volunteers have answered his 
call and helped pave the way for progress for countless individuals who 
want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their 
communities.
  This year, Peace Corps Volunteers, Trainees, and Peace Corps staff 
members will be participating in activities with other local and 
international volunteer organizations in their countries to mark this 
day, which takes on special significance this year as the launch for 
the United Nations International Year of Volunteers 2001--a world-wide 
celebration to recognize, support, and promote volunteering. In 
Lesotho, a Peace Corps volunteer will speak at a ceremony attended by 
members of the government. In Tanzania, there will be a special 
swearing-in ceremony of new volunteers. In Moldova, volunteers will 
raise funds for children's charities. In Washington, Peace Corps staff 
from headquarters will volunteer at Food and Friends to help deliver 
meals and groceries to families of people living with HIV/AIDS.
  In honor of the International Year of Volunteers 2001, other 
international volunteer sending organizations such as Australian 
Volunteers International, Canada World Youth, United Nations 
Volunteers, and the United Kingdom's Voluntary Services Overseas are 
joining with the Peace Corps to make a commitment to expand their HIV/
AIDS education efforts throughout the world.
  Throughout the world, and particularly Africa, HIV/AIDS is having a 
devastating effect on people of all ages by threatening the future of 
development and well being of their communities. This year the Peace 
Corps launched a special initiative to retrain all 2,400 volunteers 
serving in Africa to become HIV/AIDS prevention educators. In a sign of 
solidarity and support, the leaders of Australian Volunteers 
International, Canada World Youth, United Nations Volunteers and the 
United Kingdom's Voluntary Services Overseas have joined with the Peace 
Corps in committing the best and most effective strategies to meet the 
enormous challenge of halting the spread of HIV/AIDS.
  Today, I commend the Peace Corps and other volunteer organizations 
for being committed to spreading the concept of volunteerism. In honor 
of International Volunteer Day and the International Year of Volunteers 
2001, it is my privilege to salute the important work of the Peace 
Corps and volunteers throughout the world.

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