[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 40th 
anniversary of the Peace Corps. Since 1961, over 161,000 Americans have 
offered their energy to improving conditions in over 134 nations around 
the world.
  Reflecting the rich diversity of the United States, Peace Corps 
volunteers share a common spirit of service, dedication, and idealism. 
Peace Corps volunteers must participate in intensive language and 
cross-cultural training to help them better adapt to their new 
communities. In addition to learning the local language and adapting to 
new cultures, volunteers also help improve their surroundings. Corps 
volunteers work to bring clean water to underdeveloped communities, 
teach children, start new small businesses, and stop the spread of 
AIDS. The Peace Corps always goes about its mission with the knowledge 
that, with assistance, developing nations can take control of their own 
destiny.
  Because the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been a leading 
producer of Peace Corps volunteers for over a decade, the Peace Corps 
has chosen to commemorate their 40th Anniversary at the University of 
Wisconsin-Madison. Many of the first to serve in the Peace Corps were 
alumni of the UW-Madison. Since 1961, more than 2,500 alumni have 
dedicated a minimum of two years of their lives to help developing 
countries around the world. Almost 200 current graduate students, 
faculty, and staff have served in the Peace Corps. The Returned Peace 
Corps Volunteers (RPCVS) are an extremely active group in the 2nd 
Congressional District and a vital force in the Peace Corps community.
  Forty years later, the Peace Corps continues to fulfill its promise 
by sharing one of our most precious resources: its citizens. The work 
of these volunteers has helped engender positive changes around the 
world. We, as citizens of the world, should honor the commitment of 
such an important organization.

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