[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    40TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEACE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, as a former Peace Corps volunteer, I am 
pleased to rise to speak in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 
Peace Corps.
  When President John F. Kennedy signed the Executive Order 
establishing the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, the response to this 
bold initiative was both swift and enthusiastic. Less than six months 
later, the first volunteers had accepted the challenge and left for 
their two year assignments overseas.
  In 1966 and 1967, I myself served as a volunteer in Somalia. It was a 
meaningful experience for me, and it allowed me to see that Peace Corps 
volunteers are the best grass-roots ambassadors the United States can 
have. The Peace Corps provides direct aid to ordinary people, and it is 
probably one of the most cost-effective forms of foreign aid that there 
is.
  I am also pleased to say that the state of Wisconsin leads the Peace 
Corps' legacy of service. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the 
nation's top producer of volunteers, with other 2,300 graduates having 
joined the Peace Corps and bringing their skills and talents to dozens 
of countries.
  Now, as we observe the Peace Corps' 40th anniversary, it continues to 
capture the imagination of the American people. It has emerged as an 
international model of citizen service and of practical, grassroots 
assistance to people in developing countries.
  Additionally, Peace Corps volunteers also make a difference at home 
by continuing their community service, and strengthening Americans' 
appreciation of other cultures. By visiting classrooms, working with 
community groups, and speaking with friends and family members, Peace 
Corps volunteers are helping others learn more about the world in which 
we live, and helping to build a legacy of service for the next 
generation.
  Today's 7000 volunteers are somewhat different than the volunteers of 
the early years. The average age has risen from 22 to 28, the 
percentage of women has increased from 35 to 60, the number of 
volunteers with graduate degrees is growing.
  But having said that, I believe today's volunteers still share a 
characteristic with their predecessors that is a cornerstone of Peace 
Corps service--a commitment to the spirit of volunteerism and service 
that President Kennedy first envisioned 40 years ago.
  I salute the Peace Corps and the thousands of volunteers who have 
served, and I look forward to many more years for this organization 
which has truly made a difference around the world.

                          ____________________