[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, it has been many years since I 
joined the Peace Corps, and I rise today to celebrate the 40th 
anniversary of the Peace Corps.
  It was started on March 1, 1961, when President Kennedy signed the 
legislation launching the Peace Corps--establishing a bold and hopeful 
experiment to all Volunteers to bring practical grassroots assistance 
to the people of developing nations to help them build a better life 
for themselves and their children.
  Forty years later, the Peace Corps has succeeded beyond everyone's 
expectations.
  Today there are more than 162,000 returned volunteers in the United 
States, six of whom serve in the House of Representatives and two in 
the United States Senate. They have served in 134 different nations, 
making significant and lasting contributions from Armenia and 
Bangladesh to Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.
  There are more than 7,000 volunteers that are now living and working 
overseas. They are addressing critical development needs on a person-
to-person basis: working with teachers and parents to teach English, 
math and science; helping spread and gain access to clear water; to 
grow more food; to help prevent the spread of AIDS; to help 
entrepreneurs start new businesses; to train students to use computers; 
and to work with non-governmental organizations to protect our 
environment. Above all, Volunteers leave behind skills that allow 
individuals and communities to take charge of their own futures.
  In our increasing interconnected global community, Peace Corps 
volunteers also promote greater cross-cultural awareness, both in the 
countries in which they serve and when they return home. As they work 
shoulder to shoulder with their host communities, Volunteers embody and 
share some of America's most enduring values; freedom, opportunity, 
hope, progress. It is these bonds of friendship and understanding that 
they create and that can build the foundations for peace among nations.
  And I can personally testify that the best service that is given to 
the Peace Corps is the continuation of service to our communities when 
we all come home. Today, because of the anniversary of the Peace Corps, 
thousands of returned volunteers are visiting schools and local 
communities throughout the United States, sharing the knowledge and 
insights gained from their experiences abroad and passing along the 
value of service to others.
  As we have learned around the world, the best way to support a 
democracy is to help development at the local level. Meanwhile, 
America's, young and old, single and married, would like to serve their 
country, humanity and democracy. The Peace Corps is one of the most 
effective mechanisms for uniting these two ideals. This is an asset we 
should not let go to waste.
  On this 40th anniversary of the Peace Corps, please join me in 
honoring all Volunteers, past, present, and future, and in celebrating 
four decades of service to the world. The Peace Corps has served its 
country well, and we should all be proud.

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